The extended concourse leads to what the airport calls a “record node,” which is a rotunda with access to BNA’s first outdoor terrace, offering views of the airport and downtown Nashville.
There are also three new pieces of art.
“Twine with my Mingles” by Nashville-based artist Elizabeth Williams of New Hat Projects, is a 180-foot-long piece that lines the moving walkway. The artwork is created by loom-style weaving of custom-printed wristbands.
“A Thread Without End” by Los Angeles-based artist Benjamin Ball of Ball-Nogues Studios is made with 620 stainless steel spheres.
And “Our Radiant City” by Nashville-based artist Brenda Stein depicts some of Nashville’s most recognizable buildings and locations in the terrazzo floor that encircles the center of the rotunda.
All images courtesy Nashville International Airport
`The completion of the Concourse D extension at Nashville International Airport (BNA) adds eight new dining, shopping and live music venues to an airport already teeming with great options for passengers and for non-ticketed guests who get a guest pass via the BNA PASSport program.
New Heights Cantina & Taqueria (pictured above) offers award-winning local New Heights beer, a Taco Truck for orders on the go and a space for live music.
The other new additions include 3rd & Broadway (local and regionally made gifts), Sandella’s Flatbreads, The Castle ( “where soccer and great food collide”), Daniel Diamond (rhinestone products, fringe jackets, etc), Martini (bites, brews, beers, cocktails and coffee) and several others.
The petition calls Parton a “national treasure” and a Tennessee legend and points out that Dolly Parton is not only a celebrated artist “who encourages love, acceptance, and goodwill through her music,” but she is also a philanthropist “known for her countless contributions to society.”
Therefore, the petition reasons, “it is only fitting that an institution as significant as Nashville International Airport carries the name of such a remarkable woman.”
If the petition succeeds, the organizers point out, “We could all be Departin’ from Parton.”
More – much more – live music at Long Beach Airport
Long Beach Airport (LGB), which has proclaimed itself “America’s coolest airport,” is getting cooler.
The airport’s LGB Live! music series is expanding from 40 to more than 160 live performances a year.
The expanded LGB Live! program kicks off Thursday, March 27, with a performance by Acoustic Soul Express and will feature performances from professional artists and acclaimed youth performers.
LGB Live! performers are vetted and paid. Performances are typically held post-security for ticketed travelers from 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays, with additional shows during busy travel seasons. Exact showtimes, along with information about bonus pre-security performances can be found on LGB Live!
The hotel is on the plaza between the terminal and the covered parking garage. Just outside the hotel is an aviation-themed playground, a large fenced area for dogs, chair swings and other spaces to hang out before or after a flight.
Our corner room was super comfy and quiet. And it provided a great perch to watch airplanes coming and going from the gates.
The hotel has a lovely restaurant and a lobby bar that features occasional live music. On the 9th floor, there’s a well-equipped fitness center with views of downtown and the airport. And, on the 10th floor, the hotel’s best feature: the BNA Sky Pavilion. The rooftop has a pool, a fire pit, indoor and outdoor seating, a bar and great views of the runways, the downtown skyline and the surrounding area. While we were there, we even spotted fireworks off in the distance.
The BNA PASSport program
BNA debuted its guest pass program, called BNA PASSport, on July 1 and is issuing 75 visitor passes a day to non-ticketed passengers.
We used our pass on Friday evening to explore the airport’s restaurants, bars and shops.
We had dinner and stopped to listen to live music on at least four stages in various airport restaurants and bars. The airport’s ‘drinks to go’ policy meant we could easily mosey with our cocktails from one stage to the next. And the fact that bottles of really great Tennessee whiskey are sold in seemingly every airport gift shop made us a wee bit sorry we were traveling with only carry-on luggage.
Stay tuned for the story of the surprise in-store event some passengers were treated to during our BNA visit.
The BNA Passport guest pass program allows a non-ticketed guest to go through the TSA security checkpoint like a ticketed passenger into the secure side of the airport.
No more than 75 visitor passes a day are being issued. But those who do get them can greet an arriving passenger at the gate, hang with a friend or family member until they need to board their plane or take the opportunity to explore the art, shops, and dining at the airport without lugging around a carry-on bag or worrying about catching a flight.
The Stuck at the Airport team has already applied for a pass and will be touring the airport on Friday. So stay tuned for our report.
In the meantime, here is a list of other airports with guest pass programs. Each program has its own rules, but for BNA’s guest pass program and those below, you’ll need to fill out an online form and give some personal information, usually name, birthdate and gender.
If the TSA clears you, you’ll get instructions for getting through the checkpoint without a ticket to fly.
