Nashville area airports

Jim K

Jim K

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I've got a business trip to Nashville coming up. The meetings and lodging are at Opry Mills on NE side of town. Trying to figure out which airport to use.

BNA is the closest by a fair bit, but also the highest fees. Thinking the ground transportation might make up for that though. It's 7 miles from the hotel.
MQY and XNX are equidistant. Should be minimal fees, but 20ish miles away so Uber is going to be more of an issue.
JWN is my last choice, only because it's just slightly further away yet, and I've been there before.

Tips/Tricks?
 
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If you can tolerate the fees, BNA is easy enough to get in and out of. I have used both Atlantic and Signature, I would just go with whichever is cheaper.
 
Atlantic was renovated in 2024, so I would imagine they will have higher fees. +1 on BNA being easy to get in and out of...
 
Flocker said:
Atlantic was renovated in 2024, so I would imagine they will have higher fees. +1 on BNA being easy to get in and out of...
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Signature built a new building only a year or two before so the both have a note to pay. :)
 
BNA would be my choice when all is considered.
 
From what's posted online, Atlantic gets $50 for pulling on their ramp, while signature is $38. Both waivable with fuel, but of course at $8.40/gal, it's cheaper to just pay the fee. Atlantic posts their parking fee, which is hourly, but works out to be $36 for the first day and $24 thereafter. Signature doesn't post one, but I assume it's not free.

Grok thinks Uber/taxi will be about $30 from BNA and double that from the other airports. Assuming the outlying airports don't have any fees (questionable?) I might save $50.

I'm not too scared of BNA...I can't imagine it's any worse than MDW.

I've been to JWN, and it's hoppin'...I'm sure getting ground transportation wouldn't be an issue there. Are XNX and MQY similarly busy?
 
You could always fly into CKV, rent a car and drive. I'm based here, so if you need anything, there's that. Drive time to Opry Mills depending on time of day can be 45 min to an hour, and it avoids downtown. Traffic in/around Nashville can be "challenging" for the soul. I know we have rental offices on the field, but I can help you with transportation if there's locally better options. Ft. Campbell Approach is very helpful, and I highly recommend talking to them transiting through the Alert Area.
 
I’ve done MQY and JWN. Hazy recollection but I recall MQY ATC being a bit of a rodeo. Maybe student controllers or a bad day or something. That said, it also felt in the sticks and not sure how frequently rideshare goes by that area. Cost and wait may both be an issue. JWN is hopping and they drag all the SEP out to the back 40 but will give you a ride to it in a golf cart. I would do BNA.
 
I don't recommend JWN for where you're going. I hope it's gotten better, but the new tower there was "ugh". And the FBO ain't cheap from what I remember. Might as well go to BNA for all that trouble.

For me, XNX or M54 would be my choice for this. I'd guess ridesharing to Opry Mills would be relatively easy from those locations. I'm fond of M54 because I was based there twice and know the area well, the FBO has friendly folks, it's super easy in and out, and it's got reasonable fuel/fees.

Disclaimer: I've been out of the area for two years, so YMMV as things may have changed.
 
mark.staggs said:
I don't recommend JWN for where you're going. I hope it's gotten better, but the new tower there was "ugh". And the FBO ain't cheap from what I remember. Might as well go to BNA for all that trouble.

For me, XNX or M54 would be my choice for this. I'd guess ridesharing to Opry Mills would be relatively easy from those locations. I'm fond of M54 because I was based there twice and know the area well, the FBO has friendly folks, it's super easy in and out, and it's got reasonable fuel/fees.

Disclaimer: I've been out of the area for two years, so YMMV as things may have changed.
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Hadn't considered Lebanon, looks like it's just as far as Smyrna and Executive though.

I'm leaning towards BNA. Found out that the hotel has a $37(!!!) parking fee, which makes the $30 cab ride from BNA seem like a bargain, and eliminates a rental car as an option. We're getting mileage from Champaign for this trip, which should more than pay for my fuel and landing fees, so I shouldn't be complaining.
 
Jim K said:
Hadn't considered Lebanon, looks like it's just as far as Smyrna and Executive though.

I'm leaning towards BNA. Found out that the hotel has a $37(!!!) parking fee, which makes the $30 cab ride from BNA seem like a bargain, and eliminates a rental car as an option. We're getting mileage from Champaign for this trip, which should more than pay for my fuel and landing fees, so I shouldn't be complaining.
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BNA will definitely be closest. That airport is a-hoppin', but if you've been into MDW it'd guess it's similar, especially with all the SWA jets.
 
mark.staggs said:
but if you've been into MDW it'd guess it's similar, especially with all the SWA jets.
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Well, of course controllers make all the difference. MDW is used to little planes and has a little runway for them. No idea how common light GA is at BNA.
 
I recall MQY being pretty packed but definitely managable. I recall JWN being pretty expensive, is it any cheaper than BNA?

An interesting trend I've noticed is that I'm starting to see Signature cheaper/better than Atlantic in many many markets. Are they no longer the big-bad overlords?
 
kaiser said:
I recall JWN being pretty expensive, is it any cheaper than BNA?
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That's what I was thinking too, but I've only been in there on Lifeline flights, so I've never actually had to pay.

kaiser said:
An interesting trend I've noticed is that I'm starting to see Signature cheaper/better than Atlantic in many many markets. Are they no longer the big-bad overlords?
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In my limited experience, I would agree. I've gotten what I felt was good service at signature and a few times they've waived the fees for no apparent reason. Complete reversal from when I started flying, when Atlantic could usually be counted on to be the less painful option.
 
I've been using XNX (northeast of Nashville in Gallatin) for years during trips to Nashville. There is now a very friendly and reasonable new FBO (Flight Solutions) on the field. I used their new heated hangar a few weeks ago at $100 for a very cold night and an early morning departure (worth every penny). Had excellent pre-arrival and pre-departure coordination using a cell phone number given to me from the appropriate lineman. Don't plan on arriving past their closing time (8:00pm) as the fee to have someone come out there was hefty.
 
Dave Theisen said:
Signature built a new building only a year or two before so the both have a note to pay. :)
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We got a behind the scenes tour of the Atlantic FBO at PDK when they first opened. Random interesting fact - they pump a subtle vanilla scent through their HVAC system. Next time you're there, you'll now notice it.
 
BNA is certainly closest (one of the nicest air carrier airports with respect to where it is with a city center). I either go into JWN and uber or rent a car downtown or I go into Lebanon (M54) because I have good friends in Mt. Juliet.
 
Jim K said:
No idea how common light GA is at BNA.
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There is, or at least used to be, a flight school there. It's been a number of years now, but our flying club had a retired controller from BNA who set us up with a group tour of the TRACON and tower. The folks that work there are top notch and used to working light GA in regularly.

They've been planning/lobbying for the recently-announced conversion to a Class B since as least then when we were there for the tour (around 2018).
 
I would pick BNA and be done with it. Straightforward getting in, two FBO choices, get an Uber or Cab ride, short drive to your destination (less car traffic issues). Any increase costs will be worth it.
 
BNA has a lot of airline traffic but it's an easy airport to deal with and has a lot of GA traffic. That's certainly the shortest drive to Opryland.

M54 is a farther away but the drive is very simple. I-40 to Briley parkway. It's a small GA airport.

I'm 8 miles from BNA if there's anything else I can help with.
 
Jim K said:
Well, of course controllers make all the difference. MDW is used to little planes and has a little runway for them. No idea how common light GA is at BNA.
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Couple things I noticed since you got me looking. You probably already know these things.

BNA, MDW and IAD are all similar in terms of annual passenger count. MDW and IAD are in more complicated airspaces.

The google maps view of BNA shows only two piston singles anywhere on the field. They are in front of a hangar owned by a big construction company. That suggests that there isn't a ton of piston single traffic, but... The signature and atlantic ramps only have a handful of planes. So it's possible that it was just a slow day when the photo was taken.
 
172andyou said:
The signature and atlantic ramps only have a handful of planes. So it's possible that it was just a slow day when the photo was taken.
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Tennessee Flight Training in on the BNA airport.

www.tnflighttraining.com

Tennessee Flight Training - The Skies Are Calling! - Tennessee Flight Training

WHY CHOOSE US? Our Fleet We operate the largest fleet of aircraft in Tennessee, including Cessna and Piper, along with state-of-the-art simulators. Our Team Our staff of Certified Flight Instructors have logged more than 100,000 combined hours of flying time, providing a level of passion and...
www.tnflighttraining.com www.tnflighttraining.com
 
172andyou said:
Couple things I noticed since you got me looking. You probably already know these things.

BNA, MDW and IAD are all similar in terms of annual passenger count. MDW and IAD are in more complicated airspaces.

The google maps view of BNA shows only two piston singles anywhere on the field. They are in front of a hangar owned by a big construction company. That suggests that there isn't a ton of piston single traffic, but... The signature and atlantic ramps only have a handful of planes. So it's possible that it was just a slow day when the photo was taken.
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I was giving rides to my friends in Mt. Juliet and asked Nashville approach to let me circle over downtown and it wasn't an issue. Try that in DC or Chicago. (and I was based at IAD for a long time).
 
flyingron said:
I was giving rides to my friends in Mt. Juliet and asked Nashville approach to let me circle over downtown and it wasn't an issue. Try that in DC or Chicago.
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Looks like they're in the planning stages for a Class B area around BNA. Will be interesting to see how that changes things.
 
flyingron said:
I was giving rides to my friends in Mt. Juliet and asked Nashville approach to let me circle over downtown and it wasn't an issue. Try that in DC or Chicago. (and I was based at IAD for a long time).
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I thought downtown Chicago was under the shelf and orbit-able?
 
This looks like downtown is split between the 3000 foot shelf of ORD and the 1900 foot shelf of Midway. What am I missing?
 

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kaiser said:
An interesting trend I've noticed is that I'm starting to see Signature cheaper/better than Atlantic in many many markets. Are they no longer the big-bad overlords?
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Atlantic being worse than Signature isn't a new thing.

In the bad old days pre-ForeFlight, most pilots used AirNav to check fuel prices, look at FBO comments, and get general airport information during the flight planning process. Atlantic got a large number of negative comments about things like their pricing...

So what did they do, fix their problem? Nope... They sued AirNav. As a result of the lawsuit, AirNav removed Atlantic from their site entirely, leaving Signature as the only option to complain about, cementing their reputation as $ignature. But, IME, while neither is always the most expensive, Atlantic certainly wasn't the cheaper one the majority of the time.

If you're going to a place with only chain FBOs, the other/smaller chains are almost always better. Million Air, AvFlight, Jet Aviation, Wilson Air Center, ... Ah crap, looks like Signature swallowed up Tac Air.
 
Well, I spoke too soon. Called Signature and they want $45/night parking, which makes Atlantic about $50 cheaper. The CSR at Signature seemed unsure about that price, something about my plane not "coming up in their system", so it's possible she was wrong, but obviously not going to assume that.
Going to add up to roughly $120 total for 3 nights, which is about the same as parking a car at the hotel, so there's that I guess.
 
Jim K said:
Well, I spoke too soon. Called Signature and they want $45/night parking, which makes Atlantic about $50 cheaper. The CSR at Signature seemed unsure about that price, something about my plane not "coming up in their system", so it's possible she was wrong, but obviously not going to assume that.
Going to add up to roughly $120 total for 3 nights, which is about the same as parking a car at the hotel, so there's that I guess.
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I'm really surprised that you didn't drop the "I'm a POA mod. Respect muh authoritah!" and start a bidding war between the two to have you on their ramp. This is a money-making opportunity you are letting pass you by!
 
Jim K said:
Well, I spoke too soon. Called Signature and they want $45/night parking, which makes Atlantic about $50 cheaper. The CSR at Signature seemed unsure about that price, something about my plane not "coming up in their system", so it's possible she was wrong, but obviously not going to assume that.
Going to add up to roughly $120 total for 3 nights, which is about the same as parking a car at the hotel, so there's that I guess.
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I’ve run into this several times, where the lack of knowledge about airplane types and an FBO system not recognizing it. It’s similar to checking out at a store and the cashier is lost when their register stops working. They can’t do basic arithmetic. Just throw a “it’s like a [airplane type]” to help them a little.

Regarding which FBO to choose, if they have similar costs involved, just roll the dice and pick one, show up with a smile, expect nothing, and be happy when you get something.
 
Jim K said:
Going to add up to roughly $120 total for 3 nights, which is about the same as parking a car at the hotel, so there's that I guess.
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Tangent -- what's with all the secondary market city hotels (and suburbs, at that) jacking up the parking rates? I can almost park in Manhattan for what these places are asking for Cleveland and Baltimore. They don't even have valets! Its not like my car is getting turndown service and a chocolate mint...
 
DJTorrente said:
Tangent -- what's with all the secondary market city hotels (and suburbs, at that) jacking up the parking rates? I can almost park in Manhattan for what these places are asking for Cleveland and Baltimore. They don't even have valets! Its not like my car is getting turndown service and a chocolate mint...
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I was a little shocked by that too. Has to be the same thing as the ULCC fees. I bought my daughter a ticket on Allegiant.... Looked cheap until I found out I had to pay even for a carry on. The fees and extras were more than the "fare".
 
Jim K said:
I was a little shocked by that too. Has to be the same thing as the ULCC fees. I bought my daughter a ticket on Allegiant.... Looked cheap until I found out I had to pay even for a carry on. The fees and extras were more than the "fare".
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Yup. And then if you join their loyalty program they discount the parking...
 
Had a fun trip. 30 knot TW going down, which was completely eaten up by being vectored 20mi south of the airport before being brought back in. Atlantic was fine. Parked in BFE as per usual. 11 gal gas and 3 nights parking totaled $189. Uber was about $35 each way. There was a beat up old Warrior parked next to us when we left, so we were surprisingly not the smallest plane on the ramp.

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Hotel was interesting. Huge solariums filled with tropical plants. The biggest one had a whole river and town built inside. Everything as expensive as you'd expect. Basically a theme park. Not a place I would've picked, but nice nonetheless.

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Thursday night our group got a bus downtown and ate at the 12:30 club, followed by the typical Broadway bar crawl for those who wanted to stay out. We actually got our entire meeting agenda accomplished on Thursday, so we stayed out till 1AM and had a good time. Again, not my normal activity, but fun to do once.

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Slept until noon Friday since our meeting was canceled, then did some antiquing and walked around the mall. Friday night was the Opry, which was way, way better than I expected. I would definitely do that again. Highlights were Mark Wills, Trace Adkins, and George Thorogood, who at 75 was unbelievably good.
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Flight home was uneventful. BNA was departing south, so we got a really nice view of downtown. Got launched in between a couple SW 73's. Always nice to be home.

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Love Broadway, fun times! Robert’s Western World is my favorite, old school.
 
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