Skybus Virtual Airlines today announced a significant realignment of its route network, introducing a new hub at Nashville International Airport (BNA) while restructuring operations at its Los Angeles (LAX) and Phoenix (PHX) bases.
The realignment is supported by the addition of 12 new Boeing 737-800 aircraft, which will be based primarily at Nashville alongside the carrier's existing hubs in Salt Lake City (SLC), Oklahoma City (OKC), and Columbus (CMH). Specific route changes connected to today's announcement will be detailed in a future release as schedules are finalized.
Nashville Becomes New Southeast Hub
Beginning in summer 2026, Nashville International Airport (BNA) will operate as a new Skybus hub. Nashville is one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the country, with strong demand for low-cost air travel and a geography that sits naturally at the center of Skybus's existing network.
The city's location allows Nashville to function as a genuine connecting point between Skybus's hubs rather than an isolated spoke, strengthening the airline's network as a whole. It will officially join Columbus, Oklahoma City and Salt Lake to form Skybus' new top-tier of airports.
"Nashville has been an obvious gap in our network for a long time," said Nate Power, Skybus President. "It sits right in the middle of where we already fly, the demand is real, and our new fleet finally gives us the aircraft to do it properly instead of testing the water with a handful of routes."
Changes at Los Angeles and Phoenix
As part of the same realignment, Skybus confirmed that its Los Angeles (LAX) base will close, with based aircraft and crew reassigned across the network. Los Angeles will continue to be served as a destination from other Skybus hubs, but will no longer function as a base of operations. Details on the transition timeline will be shared in the coming weeks.
Phoenix (PHX) will also see a reduction in based aircraft as Skybus shifts fleet capacity toward Salt Lake City, Nashville, Oklahoma City, and Columbus. Phoenix will continue to operate as a focus city within the network.
"This wasn't an easy call," Power said. "These two airports have done great work for this airline, and this isn't a reflection on them. It's about putting our aircraft where the network needs them most right now. Phoenix and LA isn't going anywhere either — we're just being honest that not every part of our network grows at the same pace at the same time. Both cities remain key markets for the Skybus family, it's just carrying a lighter load than in the past as we align our family of hubs."
Fleet Expansion
Coming as stage two of Skybus' merger with Sunwest Virtual Airlines, 12 new Boeing 737-800 aircraft bring Skybus's total fleet to 33, spanning the Airbus A319, A320, and A321 alongside the Boeing 737 MAX 8 and the new 737-800 fleet members. The new aircraft will be distributed across the network's hubs to keep the fleet mixed and operationally flexible at every base.
"Thirty-three aircraft across five hubs gives us a flexibility we haven't had before," Power said. "If something goes wrong at one base, we've got the metal and the people to recover quickly somewhere else. That matters more in my opinion than just the size of the fleet."
Further information on new routes, pilot career opportunities featuring the new Boeing 737-800 fleet and more are expected in the near future.