Nashville International Airport Expands Nonstop Flights to Top U.S. Destinations
Nashville International Airport (BNA) continues to grow its list of nonstop destinations, adding routes to meet increasing passenger demand. On February 12, 2026, Southwest Airlines announced three new nonstop flights from BNA, signaling record passenger growth and ongoing airport expansion.
New Southwest Routes from Nashville
As part of its 2026 schedule, Southwest will introduce:
- Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) – year-round, four times weekly
- El Paso International Airport (ELP) – seasonal, four times weekly
- Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) – five times weekly
Airport officials have been recruiting nonstop flights to Reno, Nevada, and El Paso, Texas, for over three years. In 2023, both cities ranked among BNA’s top five most-requested destinations, with approximately 37,000 passengers traveling to Reno and 39,000 to El Paso annually.
By the end of 2026, Southwest will service all five of Nashville’s most desired domestic destinations.
Southwest Expands California Service
Southwest also plans to increase flights between Nashville and Burbank, California, later in 2026. This follows the opening of a new $1.2 billion terminal at Hollywood-Burbank Airport in October. The additional flights will provide greater convenience for travelers and expand Southwest’s California network.
Nashville Becomes a Major Southwest Hub
With the launch of these new routes, Nashville is set to become one of Southwest’s top five largest operations, trailing only cities like Chicago and Denver. The airline expects:
- 215 Sunday trips from BNA, a 25% increase year-over-year
- Midweek growth with 210 flights on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays
Southwest’s investment in Nashville includes a $292 million Concourse D in 2020 and a $247 million extension in 2025, adding five gates. CEO Doug Kreulen notes the combination of tourism, business travel, and local community demand drives growth at BNA.
Southwest’s Nationwide Network Growth
Beyond Nashville, Southwest is expanding in several key markets:
- Austin, Texas: Year-round service to Memphis, seasonal Saturday flights to Santa Rosa, California, and Knoxville, Tennessee
- Las Vegas, Nevada: 282 Sunday departures, including the airline’s first international redeye flight to San Jose, Costa Rica
- San Diego, California: Up to 140 trips with twice-daily service to Los Cabos starting October 1
- Orlando, Florida: Seasonal and year-over-year increases, including flights to Albuquerque, Cleveland, El Paso, Memphis, and Louisville
Southwest also added connections from Manchester-Boston, New Hampshire, to Nashville starting October 1, operating five days per week.
Enhancing the Passenger Experience
Southwest recently implemented assigned seating and introduced free WiFi for Rapid Rewards® members. The airline was named Best U.S. Airline for 2025 by The Wall Street Journal, emphasizing its commitment to reliability, service, and passenger satisfaction.
About Southwest Airlines
Founded in 1971, Southwest Airlines operates at 118 airports across 11 countries. With over 72,000 employees, Southwest is known for affordable, reliable air travel and unparalleled customer service. In 2025, the airline carried more than 134 million passengers nonstop within the U.S., maintaining its reputation as one of the most admired and awarded airlines worldwide.
Learn more about Southwest’s initiatives and community programs at Southwest.com/citizenship.
