Written by John Morris for WheelchairTravel.org, 2022
Nashville is the capital of Tennessee and the 23rd most populous city in the United States. Widely regarded as the cultural center of country music, tourists flock to Nashville to visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, the bars on Broadway and the historic Grand Ole Opry. These experiences are all open and accessible to wheelchair users, who will enjoy the city just as much as their able-bodied friends (I know that I did!).
Although music is a critical part of the city’s DNA, Nashville has a lot more to offer. It’s home to the Tennessee Titans of the NFL and the Nashville Predators of the NHL, with sporting arenas located downtown. The city is at the center of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, with multiple distilleries in Nashville and many more just a short drive away. The city is an important stop for foodies, with popular dishes including hot chicken, barbecue and “meat and three” served across the city. And, like most cities of its size, Nashville boasts an impressive selection of art, culture and history museums that appeal to many.
Using this guide to wheelchair accessible travel in Nashville, Tennessee, you will be prepared to properly vacation in America’s beloved Music City.
Nashville Airport Accessibility
Nashville International Airport (BNA) welcomes more than 18 million passengers per year and is served by 16 different airlines. The airport has a single terminal, divided into concourses A , B, C and D. Passengers can reach all concourses airside, and will not need to pass through security when moving between concourses.
Airlines & Terminals
At the time of writing, the following airlines provide service to Nashville International Airport:
- Air Canada Express
- Alaska Airlines
- Allegiant Air
- American Airlines and American Eagle
- British Airways
- Cape Air
- Contour Airlines
- Delta Air Lines and Delta Connection
- Frontier Airlines
- JetBlue
- Southern Airways Express
- Southwest Airlines
- Ultimate Air Shuttle
- United Airlines and United Express
- WestJet and WestJet Encore
Because all airlines operate out of a single terminal, check-in is easy. Passengers should find their airline’s ticket counter, then follow the airport signage to the security checkpoint and onto the designated concourse and gate.
For domestic flights, it is recommended that passengers with disabilities check-in two hours prior to departure. For international flights, please arrive three hours prior to departure.
Special Assistance Services & Accessibility at Nashville Airport
Disability assistance services should be requested prior to travel and through your airline. Consult this list of wheelchair assistance contacts at major airlines. If you are traveling with a personal wheelchair, it is possible to gate-check the device, whether it is manual or powered.
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