Connecting at Nashville: the satellite gates and the bus across the apron

Last checked 24 September 2026

Nashville is compact. Most gates are within walking distance of each other in one building, behind a single security checkpoint. The exception is the Satellite Concourse, gates C4 to C11. It's a separate building out on the airfield, and the only way there is by bus. If either of your flights uses one of those gates, the bus is the part of your connection to plan for.

At a glance

• Concourses B, C and D and the T-Gates: walk between them behind security.
• Gates C4–C11 (Satellite Concourse): take the shuttle bus. Buses run every 3 minutes, but allow 15 minutes or more at busy times.
• The bus crosses the apron and gives way to aircraft moving around it, so its timing varies.
• Southwest uses two satellite gates, C8 and C9. Even a Southwest-to-Southwest connection can include the bus.
• Concourse A is closed for rebuilding until July 2028.

Who flies from where

• Satellite Concourse (C4–C11): Allegiant, Avelo, JetBlue, Porter, Sun Country, Contour and Aer Lingus, plus Southwest at gates C8 and C9.
• T-Gates: Air Canada, Alaska, British Airways, Frontier, Icelandair, United, WestJet, Southwest and Aer Lingus.
• Concourse B: Delta and United.
• Concourse C: American and Southwest.
• Concourse D: Southwest.

Gate assignments at Nashville have moved around during the rebuild, so check your boarding pass and the departure screens.

The satellite bus

The Satellite Concourse opened in October 2023 to cope with growing demand. Electric shuttles run from a shuttle station in the main terminal. The airport says they run continuously, every three minutes, carrying up to 69 passengers each.

From the flight deck: The bus drives across the apron, where aircraft have right of way. When aircraft are pushing back or taxiing, it waits. At busy times, allow 15 minutes or more from the main concourse to a satellite gate.

The bus runs airside, so you don't go through security again. But a satellite connection isn't just a walk between gates. It's the walk to the shuttle station, the wait, the drive across the apron and the walk to your gate.

How GateCast grades Nashville connections

For a connection that uses a satellite gate, GateCast's time budget includes the bus. A 45-minute connection from Concourse C to gate C8 is a different proposition from the same 45 minutes within Concourse C. At the busiest times of day, the bus takes longer, and the grade should reflect that.

Tips

• Check your gate numbers. C4 to C11 means the bus.
• Head for the shuttle station as soon as you're off the aircraft. "Every three minutes" doesn't allow for waiting while aircraft move on the apron.
• Arriving early in the morning to check in? The TSA checkpoint opens at 3:30 a.m.

Checked 24 September 2026. Nashville's gates are changing during the rebuild, so confirm with your airline before you travel.