Lois Larson
Nashville International Airport (BNA) is a public and military airport in Nashville, Tennessee. Established in 1937, the airport was originally named Berry Field, from which its BNA code is derived. BNA is undergoing major construction and expansion, including the BNA Vision and New Horizons programs, to accommodate its booming popularity and maintain its status as a world-class facility.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Nashville International Airport |
| IATA | BNA |
| ICAO | KBNA |
| FAA LID | BNA |
| Location | Southeastern section of Nashville, Tennessee, United States |
| Year Established | 1937 |
| Original Name | Berry Field |
| Terminal Built | 1987 |
| Current Name | 1988 |
| Number of Runways | 4 |
| Area Covered | 4,555 acres (1,843 ha) |
| Number of Destinations | 99 across the United States and several international destinations |
| Average Daily Aircraft Movements | 600 |
| Military Base | Joint Base Berry Field |
| Expansion Programs | BNA Vision, New Horizons |
| Number of Concourses | 5 |
| Number of Gates | 54 |
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What You'll Learn
Nashville International Airport's history
Nashville International Airport (BNA) is one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States and the biggest in the state of Tennessee. In 2024, it served more than 24 million passengers. The airport is currently undergoing its second growth and expansion plan, New Horizon, following the completion of the BNA Vision plan in February 2024.
The airport was established in 1937 and was originally named Berry Field Nashville, or BNA, after the first airport administrator, Col. Harry S. Berry. In 1988, the airport's name was changed to Nashville International Airport. Since then, connecting Tennesseans to the rest of the world has been one of its key goals. In 2024, the airport added multiple new international flights to its offerings, including routes to Europe and Vancouver, Canada.
Nashville International Airport is owned and operated by the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, which also runs the John C. Tune Airport, a general aviation reliever airport. The Authority is a self-financing entity and generates revenue through fees, rents, and charges from users such as airlines and car rental companies, as well as passenger facility charges and parking fees. The airport does not receive any local tax dollars.
The ongoing New Horizon expansion plan is expected to cost $1.6 billion and includes improvements to two concourses, a new air freight building, terminal roadway enhancements, and additional upgrades to enhance the traveler experience. The plan is scheduled for completion in late 2028.
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BNA Vision and New Horizons expansion programs
Nashville International Airport (BNA) has been undergoing dynamic growth and expansion since the completion of its BNA Vision project in February 2024. BNA Vision, a $1.5 billion expansion and renovation program, aimed to create more space to accommodate growing traffic rates. This project included the expansion of Concourse D, adding six domestic aircraft gates, and the construction of Terminal Garages 1 and 2, providing state-of-the-art parking facilities near the terminal. The initiative also led to the creation of thousands of local jobs and boosted Middle Tennessee's economy with millions in investments, all without the use of local tax dollars.
Following the success of BNA Vision, Nashville International Airport has embarked on an even more ambitious expansion plan called the "New Horizon" program. With a budget of over $2.1 billion, this project aims to extend the airport to seventy gates by 2028. This includes major upgrades to Concourse A, the addition of 16 new gates, and an extension of Concourse D with five more gates expected to open in July 2025. The New Horizon initiative also introduces several strategic additions, such as a new parking garage, a multipurpose de-icing ramp, and an $80 million contingency fund for unexpected costs.
The expansion of Nashville International Airport is a response to the city's rapid growth and the increasing demand for air travel. The airport is the busiest in Tennessee, offering service to 99 destinations across the United States and several international locations. In 2023, passenger numbers reached 21.9 million, doubling the number from 2013. As the airport continues to experience exponential growth, the New Horizon project is designed to enhance the airport's infrastructure and elevate it to world-class standards.
Additionally, the ongoing expansion allows for the possibility of connecting Nashville International Airport to downtown Nashville via a light rail line. Proposals for the Nashville–Atlanta passenger rail include a station stop at the airport, further improving accessibility and connectivity. With the completion of BNA Vision and the ongoing New Horizon project, Nashville International Airport is committed to meeting growing demands and enhancing the travel experience for its passengers.
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Military facilities at the airport
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, its original name was Berry Field, from which its ICAO and IATA identifiers are derived. The airport was used as a base for the military until 1946. During World War II, the airfield was requisitioned by the United States Army Air Forces Air Transport Command as the headquarters for the 4th Ferrying Command for the movement of new aircraft overseas. The federal government expanded the airport to 1,500 acres (6.1 km2) during this time.
The military facilities at the airport are still commonly known as Berry Field, and Joint Base Berry Field, formerly Berry Field Air National Guard Base, is located at Nashville International Airport. The airport has been expanded and modernised since its use as a military base, with a new terminal opened in 1961, and further expansions and upgrades completed in the 1980s, including the construction of a new parallel runway in 1989.
Nashville International Airport now offers service to 99 destinations across the United States, as well as a number of international destinations. The airport has one terminal with five concourses and a total of 54 gates. It covers 4,555 acres (1,843 ha) of land and is the busiest airport in Tennessee, with more boardings and arrivals than all other airports in the state combined.
The airport has a range of amenities and services for passengers and visitors, including a Business Service Center, WiFi Internet access, the Wright Business Travel Center, and a Massage Bar offering seated chair massages. The BNA Vision and New Horizons expansion programs are also currently underway to further upgrade and expand the airport's facilities.
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Accidents and incidents at BNA
Nashville International Airport (BNA) is a public/military airport in Nashville, Tennessee. It is the state's busiest airport, averaging 600 daily aircraft movements in 2022. With such a high volume of air traffic, BNA has seen several accidents and incidents over the years.
On January 1, 1947, a privately operated Douglas C-47A approaching the airport crashed into a house less than a mile away. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, but 18 people, including passengers, crew, and individuals on the ground, sustained injuries. Another incident occurred on September 28, 1963, when an Eastern Air Lines Douglas DC-7 crashed on landing after its nose gear collapsed. In this case, all 45 passengers and crew survived.
On May 31, 1985, a tragic accident claimed the lives of two individuals. A Gulfstream I crashed shortly after takeoff due to a failed left engine. More recently, in 2023, a 30-year-old man from Kentucky died by suicide at BNA. The man was on the sixth floor of a BNA airport parking garage, speaking with Airport Police about his depression when the incident occurred.
While not directly involving BNA, a deadly crash between a military helicopter and an American Eagle plane at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., has also brought attention to safety measures at BNA. This crash, which is presumed to have killed 67 people, has led to discussions about potential changes in procedures for military flights around commercial airplanes at airports across the nation.
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Transport links to and from the airport
Nashville International Airport (IATA: BNA, ICAO: KBNA, FAA LID: BNA) is located in the southeastern section of Nashville, Tennessee, United States. It is the busiest airport in Tennessee, offering service to 99 destinations across the United States and several international locations.
Nashville International Airport is accessible by various means of transportation. The airport's Ground Transportation Center on Level 1 of Terminal Garage 2 serves as the departure point for buses, shuttles, taxis, and ride-share services.
Buses: The WeGo bus system provides bus services from the airport, with Line 18 being one of the available routes. Bus fares and schedules can be found on the Nashville MTA website.
Shuttles: Various shuttle services are available, including those offered by some Nashville hotels, particularly in the downtown area. These shuttles often provide complimentary rides to and from the airport.
Taxis: Taxi services are located in the Ground Transportation Center and can be called in advance from the airport Information Desk.
Ride-share apps: Lyft and Uber are the two ride-share apps that service the airport.
There are also plans for future transport links to the airport. Nashville International Airport may be connected to downtown Nashville via a light rail line, and proposals for the Nashville-Atlanta passenger rail include a station stop at the airport.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, BNA is the IATA code for Nashville International Airport.
The full name is Nashville International Airport/Berry Field.
The airport was established in 1937 and was originally named Berry Field. The current terminal was built in 1987, and the airport took its current name in 1988.
The airport has undergone two expansion programs: BNA Vision and New Horizons. BNA Vision consisted of expanding concourses, constructing a new international arrivals facility, building new parking garages, and erecting a hotel. New Horizons will include additional concourse expansions, upgrading the baggage handling system, and expanding the terminal roadway.
