Southwest Airlines Expands Nashville Flights in 2026: New Nonstop Routes to Reno, El Paso, and Boston

Nashville International Airport (BNA) continues to grow its domestic network with Southwest Airlines adding high-demand nonstop flights in 2026. These new routes aim to meet passenger demand, boost connectivity, and support record airport growth.

Southwest Airlines Adds Nonstop Flights from Nashville in 2026

Southwest Airlines is launching three key nonstop routes from Nashville International Airport:

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

These destinations were among Nashville travelers’ top requests, with Reno and El Paso ranking in BNA’s top five most-wanted destinations in 2023. By the end of 2026, Southwest will serve all five of Nashville’s most requested domestic locations.

Southwest Expands California Flights from Nashville

Southwest Airlines plans to increase flights between Nashville and Burbank, California, in fall 2026. This expansion coincides with the opening of a brand-new $1.2 billion terminal at Hollywood-Burbank Airport in October. Additional flights will improve options for Nashville travelers heading to Southern California.

Nashville Rises as a Key Southwest Hub

With the new routes, Nashville will become one of Southwest’s top five largest operations, behind cities like Chicago and Denver. Key growth highlights include:

Sunday departures: 215 flights, a 25% increase year-over-year
Midweek flights: 210 departures 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 additional gates. Airport officials attribute growth to the mix of tourism, business, and local travel demand.

Southwest Airlines 2026 Expansion Across Key U.S. Cities

Southwest’s growth extends beyond Nashville, targeting major hubs across the U.S.:

Austin, Texas: Year-round service to Memphis; Saturday seasonal flights to Santa Rosa, California, and Knoxville, Tennessee
Las Vegas, Nevada: 282 Sunday departures, including Southwest’s first international redeye flight to San Jose, Costa Rica
San Diego, California: Up to 140 flights, with Los Cabos service increasing to twice daily from October 1
Orlando, Florida: Seasonal and expanded flights to Albuquerque, Cleveland, El Paso, Memphis, and Louisville
Manchester-Boston, New Hampshire: Five weekly departures to Nashville starting October 1

These additions improve connectivity and offer travelers more flexible flight options across Southwest’s U.S. network.

Southwest Airlines Enhances Passenger Experience

Southwest recently implemented assigned seating and free WiFi for Rapid Rewards® members. These upgrades, combined with its award-winning service, reflect Southwest’s commitment to reliable, convenient, and customer-focused air travel.

About Southwest Airlines

Founded in 1971, Southwest Airlines operates at 118 airports in 11 countries and serves over 134 million passengers annually. Known for low-cost, nonstop flights across the U.S., Southwest leverages its strong workforce of 72,000 employees to provide a high level of service.

Learn more about Southwest’s network expansion and community programs at Southwest.com/citizenship.