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If you’re flying out for a summer vacation and haven’t been to Nashville International Airport lately, get ready to see some changes.
From a new lobby to new security and a host of new dining and shopping options, our little airport is growing up. It’s exciting, but for those who haven’t been through the doors of late, it can be a little confusing. Don’t fret! We’ve pulled together a cheat sheet to help you have the smoothest takeoff possible.
PARKING PASS
BNA has new parking options for those who choose to drive themselves to the airport—and those waiting to pick up visitors. In late April, BNA’s newest parking garage officially opened. Named “Garage B,” the newest parking structure is a six-level parking garage that adds 1,800 additional covered parking spaces and connects directly to the on-site Hilton hotel that is slated to open in late 2023. There is also a new Cell Lot to meet passenger demands, provide ample space for travelers, and alleviate the traffic congestion around the roadways, including traffic from I-40. Due to roadway construction, the current lots have closed at BNA (as of press time in May). The new Cell Lot is located at 1415 Murfreesboro Pike and is more than two times larger than the current lots, with a total of 240 spaces. The lot features secure fencing, security guard monitoring, and real-time flight information monitors, allowing drivers to check the status of incoming flights.
SAFE AND SOUND
Along with the new lobby comes a new TSA checkpoint. Located in the center of the Grand Lobby, this larger, more modern security hub replaces the multiple checkpoints of the past. Now all travelers will pass through this singular entry- point for a smooth and updated experience. That said, there are a few things to know before you go. The new Computed Tomography (CT) scanning machines give a 360-degree image of passengers’ carry-on items, which means they don’t need to remove their laptops or liquids anymore. The entrance tunnel into the new scanners is 24.5 inches wide and 16.5 inches high, making it smaller than those of the past which means oversized bags won’t fit. Plan ahead and make sure your carry-on fits the standard airline measurements. All items must be put into a bin to pass through the machines, so if you’re traveling with an oversized item like a stroller or a musical instrument allot extra time to have it scanned by hand.
LOBBY LAYOUT
The airport’s brand-new Grand Lobby opened in January and it’s a stunning way to start (or end) a trip. Travelers are greeted by an immersive multimedia experience that includes two 70-foot-by-10-foot monitors with 12K resolution. Playing on the monitors is breathtaking live-action footage from 20 Tennessee locations, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Looking for even more nature? Garden on the Wall created hanging gardens that bring the outdoors in. Varieties of moss, hydrangea, ferns, and other garden elements are layered across multiple walls to depict themes of the Cumberland River, the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee, and more. There’s also a dazzling hanging sculpture spanning five levels of the airport. Titled “Unscalable Ramparts of Time,” the piece by artist Jacob Hashimoto is crafted from 8,000 washi paper kits suspended from fiberglass rods and provides a beautiful moment of quiet reflection for travelers. The Grand Lobby also features a pedestrian bridge that connects to the parking garages, making it easy for passengers to park and walk straight across into the airport.
AIRPORT AMENITIES
With the opening of the Grand Lobby in January, BNA opened 12 new concessions and retail options, including popular local staples like The Pharmacy Burger, Draper James, Parnassus Books, and more. And there’s even more to come. When the new International Arrivals Facility (IAF) opens in September 2023, BNA will open the Central Marketplace, which will offer an additional 200,000 square feet of space and include even more dining options from local staples Nashvillians know and love.
FLYING INTO THE FUTURE
In addition to the IAF, BNA’s newest concourse, the Satellite Concourse, is slated to open this fall. The Satellite Concourse, which will serve low-cost airline carriers, is a free-standing structure with eight gates that will be connected to the main terminal via an electric shuttle. (flynashville.com)