Should Nashville’s airport be renamed after Dolly Parton?
Dolly Parton fans can already celebrate the country music icon by visiting the Dollywood theme park in Tennessee, staying at her resorts and lodges or booking a stay in her retired tour bus.
And now, if the close to 50,000 signers of a Change.org petition get their wish, the airport in Tennessee’s capital will change its name from Nashville International Airport (BNA) to Dolly Parton International Airport.
“Dolly Parton represents the best of us,” a petition signer named Bonnie said. “A true humanitarian, she sets an example for all of us."
Allen, another signer, considers the call for a name change “a cause we can truly all get behind.”
Lydia Popovich and Dan Dion — the two Dolly Parton fans who started the petition in January — describe Dolly Parton as a “national treasure” and a Tennessee legend. The petition points out that Parton is not only a celebrated artist “who encourages love, acceptance, and goodwill through her music” but is also a philanthropist “known for her countless contributions to society.”
Beyond her “outstanding influence” in the music industry and “the love she has instilled in our hearts through her actions and songs,” the petition also cites Parton’s creation and support of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program, which has gifted more than 100 million books to children since 1995.
“It is only fitting that an institution as significant as Nashville International Airport carries the name of such a remarkable woman," according to the petition.
Plus, organizers point out that if the petition succeeds, "We could all be 'Departin’ from Parton.'" You must admit it does have a catchy ring to it.
An airport with rich culture, already
Nashville International Airport sits about 6 miles southeast of downtown. It was established in 1937 and gets its International Air Transport Association code — BNA — from its original name, Berry Field Nashville, which honored the first airport administrator, Col. Harry S. Berry. The airport’s name changed to Nashville International Airport in 1988.
The airport has a robust live music series and a postsecurity cocktails-to-go program; it also recently established a guest pass program to allow nonticketed visitors to enjoy the airport’s offerings.
Back in January, when the petition had about 2,600 signers, Parton told The Tennessean that she thought renaming the airport in her honor was “probably more of a joke than anything.”
She added that while “[i]t does sound like a lot of fun to say: Your flight is departin’ from Nashville’s D. Parton,” she could not imagine the airport name change “as an actual thing.”
Currently, petition co-sponsor Dion describes the campaign efforts as in the “visibility stage, garnering interest and gathering supporters.” He said the petition is encouraging people to reach out to specific representatives, “but we’re not currently trying to pin them down for a comment or requesting specific legislative action.”
Mixed results renaming airports
This isn't the first attempt to rename Nashville's airport.
In mid-March, a bill to rename BNA after President Donald Trump was voted down by a bipartisan vote in the Tennessee House of Representatives.
When asked about the proposed Dolly Parton name change, officials at the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority responded via email that the airport’s current name — Nashville International Airport — is a “globally recognized brand with a reputation that extends around the world” and that the facility has “a bright future as the Nashville International Airport.”
While a campaign to rename Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) after TV pioneer and children’s entertainer Fred Rogers went nowhere, efforts to rename other airports for celebrities have succeeded.
California’s Orange County Airport (SNA) was renamed John Wayne Airport (SNA) in 1979 in honor of the movie star and area resident.
In 2000, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted to change the name of California’s Sonoma County Airport (STS) to Charles M. Schulz—Sonoma County Airport (STS) to honor the local resident and famous cartoonist who brought the world the beloved “Peanuts” comic strip.
In 2001, New Orleans International Airport (MSY) changed to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) in honor of the native-born musician’s 100th birthday.
Louisville International Airport (SDF), which was once Standiford Field, changed to Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) in 2019 to honor the boxing champion and activist who was born in the city.
Across the pond, Liverpool Airport (LBL), originally Speke Airport, became the first U.K. airport to be named after an individual when it changed its name in 2001 to Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) to honor the famous Beatle.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.