BNA-Spot1
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December 5, 2018Nashville Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide
- last modified on September 20, 2024
With 20 Mio. passengers in 2022, Nashville Airport is the biggest airport in the state of Tennessee and even the 25th biggest in the USA. It is a major hub for Southwest Airlines, and a focus city for Allegiant Air. There is a single intercontinental service to London Heathrow opb British Airways. Noticeable cargo flights are operated by Amazon and FedEx. Expect some military movements as there is a Air National Guard base at the airport.
Written by Jason O. Last Update: August 2024 (Spot 3 added)
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety | |
| Photo Locations | |
| Weather | |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 02L/20R | 2.348 m (7.704 ft) Concrete |
| 02C/20C | 2.439 m (8.001 ft) Concrete |
| 02R/20L | 2.439 m (8.001 ft) Concrete |
| 13/31 | 3.362 m (11.030 ft) Concrete |
| Terminals | |
| Concourse A | Alaska, United |
| Concourse B | Delta, JetBlue, American |
| Concourse C | American, Southwest |
| Concourse D | Southwest only |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not needed. |
| Car/Public Transport | Car is needed as ther is no public transport to the locations. |
| Drinks/Food | Nothing close to the locations. |
| Hotels | Many hotels in the northern area of the airport but no one next to the terminal. |
| Season | Due to the north-south direction of three of the four the runways, we recommend the summer months. |
| Security | The airport is not really spotter friendly so expect ID checks. Never ever stay directly at the fence! The official viewing area Spot 1 is fine and you should have no problems there as long as you stay there. |
| Runway Usage | |
| Northern Wind | 02L/20R: Mostly west bound departures with an occasional arrival if the arrival is in A or B Terminal (Delta, United, Spirit, Frontier, JetBlue) 02C/20C: Arrivals from west with occasional departures by GA aircraft and military aircraft. 02R/20L: Arrivals from east and east bound departures 13/31: Not really used |
| Southern Wind | 20R/02L: Arrivals from west 20C/02C: Mostly all departures 20L/02R: Arrivals from east 13/31: not really used |
| Crosswinds | Very very rare but in this case 13/31 is the only active runway. |
 |
Spot #1 – Aircraft Observation Area – 02L/20R movements |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This is the official Aircraft Oberservation Area of the airport. It’s a small paking lot with a good view towards the runways. You sit in the grass or on the guardrail. Coming from Murfreesboro Pike (US route 41 / 70S) exit northbound on Briley Parkway (Tennessee 155) for half a mile an exit right into Vultee Blvd. On the end of the road you can see the parking lot. Address: Vultee Blvd, Nashville, TN 37214, USA |
| WHAT | Best if RWY 02L or 20C are used as the spot is next to these thresholds. 20R and 02R should be okay too. Furthermore all taxiways around these two runways. RWY 13/31 is also in sight but very far. But pictures are possible if there is no heat distortion as you can see below on the BA 787 sample photo. |
| TIME | From afternoon till sunset. Almost all day for the crosswind runway 13/31. |
| MISC. | You only have some waste bins, at Briley Parkway you’ll find a gas station. Do not leave the observation are. Stay on the grass but don`t go down the hill as the airport police maybe will get called. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Up to 300mm for runway 20R/ 02L , 450mm for runway 20C / 02C, 550mm for runway 13 / 31 (BA 787) |
 |
Spot #2 – Knight Valley Dr – 02C movements |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The spot is on the southernmost end of the airport at the threshold of runway 02C, next to the King Valley Dr. Access to this road is via Murfreesboro Pike. Get rid of your car in the nearby neighborhood. We recommend Portview Dr as it is a dead end road. You can spot from there or you cross the main road and place yourself behind the crash barrier to get a bit closer. Do not stay too close to the airport fence. |
| WHAT | You can easily photograph all arrivals and departures on runway 02C. The location is elevated, so the fence isn`t an issues. |
| TIME | From afternoon till sunset. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby. Still expect ID Checks does not happen all the time but does happen. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 130MM For 757 230MM For 737 |
 |
Spot #3 – Hilton Hotel Observation Deck – Apron, 02R/20L movements |
|---|---|
| WHERE | A new Hotel has opened in 2024 and offers a observation deck on the roof top. The Hilton Nashville Airport is directly at the terminal and if you a are a hotel guest you have access to the rooftop and the pool area. The views from the top are amazing. |
| WHAT | All 20L movements as well as all 02R arrivals on the taxiway which left the runway. 02R departures and view of the apron of the C and D gates to the south and A gates to the northwest. |
| TIME | Runway is best from the afternoon until sunset. Ramp depends on the angel of the planes but backlit mos t of the time. Be aware of the massive heat distortion during summer! Runway should be okay in the evening hours. |
| MISC. | Be aware that the rooftop might be closed for private events. Check the official website before your visit. Terminal parking is quite expensive with up to 30USD/day. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Southwest 737 taxiway = 130mm; A321 runway = 160mm; Southwest 737 ramp = 90mm |
You don’t have to be a guest at the hotel to use the outside terrace.
At spot one please do not leave the parking lot area. You can go on the grass but don’t go down the hill as the airport police will maybe get called. I saw someone taken away in hand cuffs today because some one was next to the fence.