Nashville International Airport® Helps Travelers Navigate Fall Break with Helpful Tips and Ongoing New Horizon Improvements

WHAT: Nashville International Airport®, also known as BNA®, is preparing for its busiest travel period of the year—Fall Break. To help ensure passengers enjoy a smooth and seamless experience, BNA is working closely with its partners to enhance roadway coordination, increase staffing and support key terminal operations. 

Several proactive operational measures will be in place, including: 

• Traffic Coordination
  • The Department of Public Safety (DPS) will actively monitor and manage traffic, including manually operating traffic signals on high-volume days to help improve traffic flow.
  • The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) will work alongside the DPS to support traffic management on peak travel days. 

•  Increased Staffing
  • Additional personnel will assist with parking and valet operations, helping to manage increased traffic and improve passenger flow.
  • Extra shuttle drivers will be available to operate up to seven (7) vehicles during peak times, providing reliable transportation for passengers traveling to and from the Satellite Concourse.
    • Gates C8 and C9 at the Satellite Concourse are now in use by Southwest Airlines as part of their expanded operations. 

• Terminal Operations Support
  • Overflow stanchions will be in place to assist the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) with added queuing space during peak hours. 

• TSA Readiness Measures | TSA Media Contact: Carter Langston 
  • TSA continues to onboard new hires and transfers to strengthen staffing levels during the travel period.
  • Technology upgrades implemented at BNA’s security checkpoint over the past 10 months have improved operational efficiency and checkpoint processing capabilities. 
  • TSA is prepared to conduct K9 screening at checkpoints during high-throughput periods and will use rolling starts to prevent queue buildup.

New Horizon Construction Activities BNA® 

This year’s Fall Break rush coincides with several major construction projects underway as part of New Horizon, BNA’s $3 billion expansion and improvement program. These projects are designed to increase capacity, enhance accessibility and elevate the overall passenger experience.

• Terminal Garage 1 Traffic Pattern Updates
  • Terminal Garage 1 Exit Closure
    • To support the construction for the new, larger rental car facility and parking garage, the exit from Terminal Garage 1 (TG1) closed on Sept. 23.
    • Travelers can still move between TG1 and Terminal Garage 2 (TG2) using the garage access points on Levels 2–6.  
    • Parking capacity remains the same, with TG1 offering 4,366 covered spaces and TG2 providing 2,160 covered spaces. 
    • Learn more HERE.  

• New Traffic Shift for Exiting Rental Car Drivers and Valet
  • Beginning Sept. 30, all Rental Car Facility and Valet users will be directed to exit toward the newly activated signalized intersection.
  • The updated traffic pattern will route vehicles from the rental car facility and valet operations directly to the new intersection.
  • Updated signage and lane guidance will support a smoother and more predictable experience.
  • The new signal provides a protected left turn, creating a safer and more direct connection to I‑40 West, I‑40 East, and Donelson Pike via Exit 216B.
  • Learn more HERE.  

• Central Core Enhancement
  • Level 5 remains closed for passenger safety as work continues on the Central Core Enhancement to increase capacity and passenger flow
  • Escalators will increase from six to 16
  • Elevators will increase from two to three
  • Pedestrian access to and from the terminal is maintained on Level 1
  • Work is scheduled for completion in December 2027.
  • Learn more HERE.  

• Economy Lot B Entrance/Exit Relocation
  • Effective Sept. 1, the entrance and exit for Economy Lot B have been relocated to provide passengers with a more direct and convenient route in and out of the lot. 
  • Access to Economy Lot B has shifted from the connector road between Donelson Pike and Terminal Drive to a direct connection on Terminal Drive. 
  • Upon entering Terminal Drive, drivers should stay in the far-right lane and follow signage for the Economy Lot B entry and exit plaza. 
  • Learn more HERE.  

Additional New Horizon projects are also progressing across the airport, focusing on long‑term capacity improvements, roadway updates, terminal enhancements and guest‑experience upgrades.  

These efforts, while less visible to travelers, play a critical role in supporting future growth and ensuring BNA can meet the demands of a rapidly expanding region. Full details and ongoing project updates can be found at BNANewHorizon.com. 

Travel Tips 

As these improvements progress, travelers can take a few simple steps to navigate the airport more easily during Fall Break: 

• Take advantage of our short-term parking! To alleviate congestion further and promote efficient traffic flow, visitors coming to retrieve family or friends are encouraged not to continuously circle Terminal Drive. Instead, they are offered the choice of complimentary or reduced-rate parking in the terminal garages, with rates varying based on their duration of stay:  

FREE | Up to 30:00 min
$18 | 30:01 – 60:00 min
$36 | 60:01+ min
$36 | Maximum per day 

• Utilize the cell lot. Our cell lot located at 1415 Murfreesboro Pike remains a complimentary option for drivers awaiting the arrival of their loved one. The new lot provides ample space and digital signage that displays real-time updates on incoming flights.  Please allow 20-30 minutes from landing time for your loved one to reach the curb. Click HERE for more information and helpful tips.     

• Take alternate routes to BNA. Familiarize yourself with all available routes to BNA—including I‑40 Exits 216A and 216B and access from Murfreesboro Pike—especially during peak travel periods. 

• Arrive early. Avoid last-minute rushes by arriving early. Arrive at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international departures. This gives you plenty of time to park, check in, clear security, and find your gate with ease.  

• Allow extra time for parking. BNA has five parking options to choose from. If parking in valet, passengers coming from I-40 will only be able to access this area from Exit 216B. Check parking details and availability HERE.    

• Check the status of your flight before arriving at BNA. Before making your way to the airport, be sure to confirm your flight’s status. Staying informed helps avoid unnecessary delays and ensures a smoother travel experience.   

• Pack smart. Streamline your travel experience by brushing up on TSA's Travel Tips before you pack. Knowing what to bring—and what to leave behind—can save you time and hassle at security.

WHERE: Nashville International Airport

WHEN: Oct. 1 - 26 | Peak Travel Days: Oct. 4, Oct. 11, Oct. 18 and Oct. 25