Nashville Airport: Size, Scale, And Scope

Nashville International Airport (IATA: BNA, ICAO: KBNA, FAA LID: BNA) is a large airport, covering 3,900–4,555 acres of land. It is the largest airport in Tennessee and has been ranked as one of the top 10 airports in the United States. The airport has three parallel runways and an intersecting runway, with a total of 43–54 gates. It offers a range of transportation options and has a variety of food and drink options, as well as gift shops.

Nashville International Airport's ranking

Nashville International Airport (IATA: BNA, ICAO: KBNA, FAA LID: BNA) is a public and military airport in the southeastern section of Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Established in 1937, it is Tennessee's largest airport, covering 4,555 acres (1,843 ha) of land. Nashville International Airport has four runways and is the busiest airport in Tennessee, with more arrivals and boardings than all other airports in the state combined.

In 2024, Nashville International Airport was ranked 6th in the US and 18th globally in AirHelp's annual ranking of global airports. The ranking is based on an analysis of service quality, on-time performance, claims processing, and shops and dining. Nashville Airport received an overall score of 8.17, with 7.8 points for on-time performance, 8.9 points for customer opinion, and 8.5 points for food and shops.

Skytrax has certified Nashville International Airport as a 3-Star Regional Airport for facilities, comfort, cleanliness, shopping, food & beverages, staff service, and security/immigration. The airport has been undergoing expansion, but the terminal is quite old and unappealing, with poor lighting and limited seating options at some gates. However, efforts have been made to improve power sockets.

Nashville International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the United States, with various ranking criteria. It offers service to 99 destinations across the United States, as well as several international destinations. In fiscal year 2022, it averaged 600 daily aircraft movements.

The airport's history

Nashville International Airport (IATA: BNA, ICAO: KBNA, FAA LID: BNA) is a public/military airport in the southeastern section of Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Established in 1937, it is currently the busiest airport in Tennessee, with more boardings and arrivals than all other airports in the state combined.

Nashville's aviation history began with Hampton Field, which operated from 1908 to 1921. This was followed by Blackwood Field in the Hermitage community, which served as the city's airport from 1921 to 1928. The first airlines to serve Nashville, American Airlines and Eastern Air Lines, flew out of Sky Harbor Airport in nearby Rutherford County.

By 1935, it was clear that Nashville needed an airport that was larger and closer to the city. A citizens' committee was formed by Mayor Hilary Ewing Howse to select a location for this new airport. The committee chose a 340-acre plot along Dixie Parkway (now Murfreesboro Pike) and construction began in 1936 as one of the first major Works Progress Administration projects in the area. The airport was dedicated on November 1, 1936, as Berry Field, named after Col. Harry S. Berry, the Tennessee administrator for the Works Progress Administration.

Berry Field opened in June 1937 with a three-story passenger terminal, a control tower, two hangars, and three asphalt runways, built at a cost of $1.2 million. In its first year of operation, Berry Field served 189,000 passengers. During World War II, the airfield was requisitioned by the United States Army Air Forces Air Transport Command and expanded to 1,500 acres. At the end of the war, the airport was returned to the city, now with expanded facilities to support the Tennessee National Guard.

In the late 1950s, the City Aviation Department began planning to expand and modernise the airport. A new 145,000-square-foot terminal opened in 1961, along with the airport's first scheduled jets. In 1962, Nashville became the first municipal airport in the United States with a public reading room when the Nashville Public Library opened a branch inside the terminal.

By the 1970s, further expansion was needed, and the newly created Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) finalised plans for a new terminal and a new parallel runway. Construction of the new terminal began in 1984 and was completed in 1987, with the airport taking on its current name, Nashville International Airport, in 1988. The new terminal featured three main concourses and an international wing, solidifying Nashville's position as a major aviation hub.

Its runways and taxiways

Nashville International Airport (IATA: BNA, ICAO: KBNA, FAA LID: BNA) is a large airport, covering 3,900–4,555 acres of land. It has four runways, three of which are parallel (2L/20R, 2C/20C, and 2R/20L) and one intersecting (13/31). A complex series of taxiways provides access to the terminals, FBOs, and cargo ramps, which are located on all sides of the airport.

The runways are closely spaced, with the threshold for 20C being further south than that of 20R. Pilots approaching on the right downwind for 20C may be tempted to land on 20R because it comes into sight first. This has happened in the past, and to mitigate this risk, pilots should always review their taxi clearance before starting to taxi and actively scan for runway signs, markings, and lighting.

Pilots should also be aware of the risk of mistaking a taxiway for a runway. TWY S, which provides access to 20C, is sometimes mistaken for the 20C departure surface. To help pilots, "TAXI" is painted in large yellow letters on the surface of TWY S at S6 and S7. Additionally, TWY K is in the approach area for 20C, and pilots have failed to hold short when instructed, resulting in a go-around.

Another hotspot for potential issues is when taxiing to 2R/20L. Pilots may miss the slight left turn to TWY R and continue on TWY L to TWY L8, inadvertently crossing RWY 31. To prevent this, pilots should keep left to merge onto TWY R at the TWY L split.

Transportation to and from the airport

Transportation to and from Nashville International Airport (BNA)

Nashville International Airport (BNA) is located approximately six miles southeast of downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The airport covers 4,200 acres of land and has one main terminal with four concourses, as well as two runways. With over 18 million passengers annually, BNA is the busiest airport in Tennessee and one of the fastest-growing airports in the country.

Given the airport's proximity to the city and its ongoing growth in passenger traffic, there are several convenient transportation options available for travelers arriving at or departing from BNA. These include:

For those who prefer public transportation, the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) offers a convenient and affordable option. The MTA's bus route 18 connects the airport to downtown Nashville and operates daily, providing a direct and cost-effective travel option. The bus stop is located outside the arrivals area, and the journey time to the city center is approximately 30 minutes, depending on traffic.

Ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft are also widely available at BNA. Designated pickup areas are situated at the ground transportation level, and travelers can easily request a ride using their smartphone apps. These services offer a convenient and often cost-effective way to travel to and from the airport, with the added benefit of not having to worry about parking.

Taxis provide another convenient option for travelers. Official taxi services are readily available at the designated taxi stands outside the baggage claim area. These metered taxis charge a standard rate based on distance and time traveled, with an additional surcharge for trips to and from the airport. This option is ideal for those with lots of luggage or for a more private travel experience.

Several private shuttle services and limousines operate at BNA, offering a comfortable and luxurious travel experience. These can be pre-booked online or over the phone, and they provide door-to-door service to and from the airport. Shuttle services are especially useful for larger groups, and the limousines add a touch of elegance to any trip.

Finally, for those who prefer to drive themselves, there are numerous car rental agencies operating at BNA. The car rental facilities are located a short distance from the main terminal, and a free shuttle service is provided to take travelers to and from the rental car lots. With a wide range of vehicles available, this option offers flexibility and convenience for those who wish to explore Nashville and its surroundings at their own pace.

The airport's facilities

Nashville International Airport (IATA: BNA, ICAO: KBNA, FAA LID: BNA) is a large and busy airport, covering 3,900–4,555 acres of land, with four runways and 54 gates across five concourses. The airport is located in the southeastern section of Nashville, Tennessee, and is the state's busiest airport, with more arrivals and boardings than all other Tennessee airports combined.

The airport serves air carriers, general aviation, cargo operations, and the military. It has three parallel runways and an intersecting runway, with a complex series of taxiways providing access to terminals, cargo ramps, and fixed-base operators (FBOs). The airport's airspace is Class C and has recently been expanded.

Nashville International Airport has a wide range of facilities for passengers, including food and drink options, gift shops, and live music at several of its restaurants. The airport also has a dedicated area for rideshare pickup, reflecting the modern ways in which people travel. In addition, there are various transportation options available to and from the airport, including taxis, limos, shuttle buses, hotel courtesy vehicles, We Go Public Transit, and more.

The airport has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years, including the addition of Concourse D in 2020, which added six more gates. The airport is currently in the process of further expansion with the "BNA Vision" and "New Horizons" programs, which are overhauling and expanding many of its facilities. These upgrades include expanding concourses, constructing a new international arrivals facility, building new parking garages and an onsite hotel, and upgrading the baggage handling system. The BNA Vision upgrades were mostly completed in 2023, and the New Horizons upgrades are scheduled to be finished by 2028.

Nashville International Airport has received recognition for its facilities and services, ranking sixth nationally and 18th worldwide in AirHelp's 2024 Ranking of Global Airports. The ranking was based on on-time performance, service quality, and food and shop offerings.

Frequently asked questions