RELEASE – Reno-Tahoe International Airport Announces New Southwest Airlines Nonstop Service to Nashville

Turn Up the Volume (and the Heat): New Nonstop Flights to Nashville Announced 

RENO, Nev. (Feb. 12, 2026) – The Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) will welcome new nonstop service to Nashville International Airport (BNA) on Southwest Airlines beginning Oct. 1, 2026. Tickets are on sale now. 

This new route represents Southwest Airlines’ 12^th nonstop destination from RNO. It highlights the airline’s growing commitment to the region and offers passengers an easy way to reach one of the country’s most sought-after destinations. 

“We’re very excited to celebrate something our community has been working toward for a long time,” said Cris Jensen, Interim President/CEO of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority. “We’re proud to offer passengers a new, convenient connection to the Southeast and are proud to do it with a trusted partner like Southwest Airlines.” 

Southwest Airlines’ new service marks another milestone in RNO’s commitment to expanding air service options and enhancing the travel experience for the region. With this new route to Nashville, passengers gain convenient access to one of the nation’s fastest-growing markets and can easily connect onward to destinations beyond the Music City.  

“This announcement is a great example of what can happen when an airline, an airport and a community come together with a shared goal,” said Reno Mayor and Visit Reno Tahoe Board Chair Hillary Schieve. “Strategic partnerships like this strengthen our region’s connectivity, support economic growth, and reflect the incredible momentum Reno Tahoe continues to build on a national stage.” 

The new nonstop also reflects growing demand for travel to and from the region as it continues to expand its footprint as a destination for major events, outdoor recreation and cultural experiences year-round. 

“Nashville is a key business and convention market, and this flight makes it easier than ever for attendees and event organizers to reach Reno Tahoe – removing barriers, saving time, and reinforcing our destination’s accessibility,” said Mike Larragueta, President and CEO of Visit Reno Tahoe. “At the same time, this new nonstop opens the door for leisure travelers to discover everything our region has to offer, from major live entertainment and sporting events to world-class, year-round outdoor adventure. From one music city to another, this connection strengthens the cultural and experiential ties between our destinations.” 

“This new nonstop service is an exciting milestone for our customers at RNO,” said Daniel Jones, Vice President Network Planning at Southwest Airlines. “We are bullish on RNO and this region and this route is the direct result of strong local demand and a great partnership with the airport and community.” 

“As our business community continues to grow, reliable access to major economic centers like Nashville is no longer a nice-to-have – it’s a necessity,” said EDAWN CEO Taylor Adams. “This new air service enhances our region’s competitiveness, supports corporate recruitment and retention and signals to investors that we are open, connected and ready for growth.” 

About the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA) 

The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA) operates two of the most important economic drivers for our region – the Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) and the Reno-Stead Airport (RTS). The RTAA is financially self-sufficient, meaning it is funded through airport operations and not state or local taxes. Eleven airlines serve RNO, flying to multiple nonstop destinations throughout the United States and Mexico. For more details, visit www.renoairport.com. 

About Visit Reno Tahoe 

Reno Tahoe is a dynamic, four-season resort destination in a spectacular natural setting – where America’s largest alpine lake meets “The Biggest Little City in the World.” Here, genuine Western heritage and hospitality are served up alongside a region in the midst of an exciting transformation, offering travelers world-class attractions, outdoor adventure and an annual calendar of cultural, culinary and sporting events. Reno Tahoe is marketed by the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (Visit Reno Tahoe), an organization established in 1959 to promote convention and tourism business in Washoe County, which includes Reno, Sparks and North Lake Tahoe. For more information, go to www.VisitRenoTahoe.com. 

About the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN) 

The Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization established in 1983 funded primarily by private investors with support from public partners, committed to supporting, growing, and maintaining a vibrant and sustainable economy in Northern Nevada.  For more information, visit: www.edawn.org. 

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.    

Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world’s most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 118 airports across 11 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline¹. By empowering its more than 72,000² People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 134 million Customers carried in 2025. Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship. 

¹ Based on U.S. Dept. of Transportation quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey as of Q1 2025 

² Fulltime-equivalent active Employees as of Dec. 31, 2025 

Media Contacts: 

RTAA: Jennifer O’Harra, 1.844.RNO.INFO (1.844.766.4636) 

Visit Reno Tahoe: Nicolle Staten, 775-354-3111 or nstaten@visitrenotahoe.com 

EDAWN: Ava Coulter, (702) 901-9615, coulter@edawn.org 

Southwest Airlines: swamedia.com 

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