Nashville Unscripted · Nashville Airport
Dolly Parton airport update: the airport board voted 6–0 on September 11, 2026 to rename Nashville International Airport in her honor. Here’s what’s decided, what isn’t yet, and what it means if you’re flying.
The short answer: on September 11, 2026, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority board voted unanimously, 6–0, to begin renaming Nashville International Airport in honor of Dolly Parton. The final name hasn’t been announced, and it’s not yet decided whether the BNA code will change. For now, nothing about flying in or out is different.
For Travelers Right Now
Book, check in and fly exactly as before. Your tickets, boarding passes and the airport signs all still say BNA / Nashville International Airport. The terminal, parking, pickup zones and rental cars haven’t changed because of the rename.
What the Airport Said
BNA says it’s working with the appropriate parties to decide how Dolly Parton’s name and legacy will be incorporated, and will share details as plans are finalized. Local reporting says the airport is working with the Dollywood Foundation on the name.
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| Question | Status (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Will the airport be renamed for Dolly? | Yes. The board voted 6–0 on September 11, 2026 to begin the process. |
| What will the new name be? | Not announced. “Dolly Parton International Airport” is the name fans petitioned for, but the airport hasn’t confirmed a final name. |
| Will the BNA code change? | Not decided. Reporting after the vote says it’s unclear. Changing a three-letter code is rare, so expect BNA to stick around for now. |
| When will signs change? | No date yet. |
| What will it cost, and who pays? | No budget confirmed. A 2025 assessment of an earlier, failed rename proposal estimated about $10.3 million. |
How the Rename Happened: The Timeline
January 2025
Petition Launched
Fans start a Change.org petition to rename Nashville International Airport after Dolly Parton. It gathers a modest following over the next year and a half.
January 2025
Dolly Responds
Asked about the petition on CBS Mornings, Dolly says she thought the idea was “just a joke,” humble as always about being honored in her lifetime.
August 25, 2026
Dolly Parton Dies
Dolly Parton dies in Nashville at 80 after a brief battle with cancer. Signatures pour into the petition within hours.
August 28, 2026
Governor and Airport Announce Plan
Governor Bill Lee and the airport announce they intend to rename BNA in her honor.
September 11, 2026
Board Votes 6–0
The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority board unanimously approves beginning the rename, ahead of a meeting where the proposal had been expected to come up on September 17. By then, the petition had passed 175,000 signatures.
Next
Final Name and Timeline
The airport is working out the final name, whether the code changes, and when signage will be updated. We’ll update this post when it’s announced.
In the Governor’s Words
“Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state.” — Governor Bill Lee
Why the Airport Is the Right Place to Honor Her
Dolly came to Nashville as a teenager with big dreams and little else, and spent six decades helping turn it into Music City. Every fan who has flown in for a show at the Ryman, a night on Broadway or a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame passed through this airport. Putting her name on the city’s front door is a fitting welcome.
The airport is one of several tributes. In downtown Nashville, her SongTeller Hotel and Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum opened September 29, five weeks after her death.
Getting In and Out of Nashville’s Airport
Everything about getting to and from the airport works exactly as before the vote. For the full rundown, see our Nashville Airport (BNA) Guide. Quick essentials:
- To downtown and Broadway: 15–20 minutes in normal traffic, and taxis charge a $30 flat fare. Full guide: Nashville Airport to Broadway
- Uber and Lyft pickup: at the Ground Transportation Center on Level 1 of Terminal Garage 2, with Lyft in Zone A and Uber in Zones B and C. Step-by-step pickup guide
- Parking: $24/day economy, $36/day garages, $48/day valet. Lot A is closed. BNA parking guide with 2026 rates
- Construction: the Central Core project runs through 2027, so allow extra time inside the terminal. BNA construction guide
Dolly Parton’s Nashville Legacy
For the full story of what Dolly meant to Nashville and where her legacy lives today, see our Dolly Parton Nashville guide. To see her story in her own voice, visit Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum, and read our SongTeller Hotel first look.
Plan a Dolly Trip to Nashville
Stay Near Her Hotel and Museum
Check SongTeller Hotel dates or compare downtown hotels within walking distance.
Check SongTeller Hotel → Compare Downtown Hotels →→ Nashville Airport (BNA) Guide
→ Dolly Parton Nashville: Her Legacy in Music City
→ Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum
→ DollyFest Nashville 2027: Everything We Know
→ Nashville Airport to Broadway
→ BNA Airport Parking Guide
Last updated October 2026. The renaming process is ongoing. We’ll update this post when the airport announces the final name, timing, and any change to the BNA code.