Nashville, Tennessee, August 15, 2025
News Summary
Nashville International Airport announced a significant expansion of services with Southwest Airlines, set to start in early March 2026. The new routes will include five destinations, featuring two international flights to Montego Bay, Jamaica, and San José, Costa Rica, along with domestic services to Knoxville, Little Rock, and Montrose. This enhancement aims to improve Nashville’s global connectivity and stimulate economic growth in the region, as the airline will operate 190 peak-day departures, the highest in airport history.
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville International Airport (BNA) has announced a major expansion of its services with Southwest Airlines, set to begin in March 2026. The expansion will feature five new destinations, including two international routes that reflect a growing demand for global connectivity.
Beginning March 6, 2026, Southwest Airlines will initiate new domestic services, which will include:
- Twice-daily flights to Knoxville, Tennessee (TYS)
- Twice-daily flights to Little Rock, Arkansas (LIT)
- Saturday-only service to Montrose, Colorado (MTJ), a seasonal ski destination
In addition to domestic offerings, international flights will kick off on March 7, 2026, initiating routes to Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ) and San José, Costa Rica (SJO). These flights are expected to operate on a Saturday-only basis. The addition of these routes aims to enhance Nashville’s connectivity to international markets.
Doug Kreulen, the president and CEO of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA), expressed appreciation for the partnership with Southwest Airlines, recognizing its significant investment in Nashville. The new nonstop service to Knoxville complements existing routes to Memphis and is anticipated to stimulate economic growth across Tennessee.
In light of the expanding service, Southwest Airlines will also increase frequencies and extend schedules for several existing destinations from March 5 through April 6. With these new additions, the airline will operate 190 peak-day departures from Nashville, marking the highest number in the history of the airport.
For context, Nashville International Airport generated over $9.9 billion in total economic impact in 2019 and currently supports over 76,000 jobs in the region, contributing more than $443 million in taxes. Notably, BNA does not receive local tax dollars, underscoring its significant role in the local economy.
John C. Tune Airport (JWN), located just eight miles from downtown Nashville, serves as a reliever airport for Nashville International Airport, offering additional access for travelers. Moreover, Southwest Airlines’ expansion includes the introduction of Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) as its third airport in Tennessee, aligning with the airline’s strategic objectives to enhance network flexibility and improve accessibility to key destinations.
Travelers interested in booking flights or obtaining more information can visit the Southwest Airlines website.
FAQ Section
What are the new destinations Southwest Airlines will offer from Nashville?
Southwest Airlines will launch service to five new destinations, including two international routes to Montego Bay, Jamaica and San José, Costa Rica, as well as domestic routes to Knoxville, Tennessee; Little Rock, Arkansas; and Montrose, Colorado.
When will the new services begin?
The domestic services will commence on March 6, 2026, followed by international flights starting March 7, 2026.
How often will the international flights operate?
The international flights to Montego Bay and San José will operate on a Saturday-only basis.
What is the economic impact of Nashville International Airport?
Nashville International Airport generated over $9.9 billion in economic impact in 2019 and supports over 76,000 jobs in the region.
Where can I book flights?
Customers can visit the Southwest Airlines website to book their flights and find additional information.
Summary of Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| New Domestic Routes | KNOXVILLE (TYS), LITTLE ROCK (LIT), MONTROSE (MTJ – seasonal) |
| New International Routes | MONTEGO BAY (MBJ), SAN JOSÉ (SJO) |
| Start Dates | Domestic: March 6, 2026; International: March 7, 2026 |
| Peak-Day Departures | 190 (highest in history for Nashville) |
| Economic Impact of BNA | $9.9 billion (2019) |
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Additional Resources
- WSMV: New Destinations Coming to BNA Through Southwest
- Wikipedia: Nashville International Airport
- Tennessean: Southwest Airlines Nashville Airport New Destinations
- Google Search: Nashville International Airport
- Fly Nashville: Nashville International Airport Celebrates Expanded Southwest Service
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Nashville
- Rutherford Source: Southwest Expands Service at BNA
- Google News: Southwest Airlines Nashville
- Aviation A2Z: Southwest Airlines Adds 14 New Routes for 2026
- Travel and Tour World: Southwest Airlines Adds New Routes
Author: HERE Nashville
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