The present technology is generally directed to systems and methods for controlling air distribution in a coke oven. In a particular embodiment, a coke oven air distribution system comprises an oven chamber having an oven floor configured to support a coal bed, a plurality of sidewalls extending upward from the oven floor, and an oven crown covering a top portion of the oven chamber. The air distribution system further includes an air inlet positioned above the oven floor and a distributor proximate to the inlet. The inlet is configured to introduce air into the oven chamber and the distributor is configured to at least one of preheat, redirect, or spread air within the oven chamber.