Knoxville, Tennessee: Airport Accessibility And Convenience

Knoxville, Tennessee is served by the McGhee Tyson Airport, a premier air facility in East Tennessee. The airport is located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville and offers nonstop flights to over 20 destinations through various airlines, including Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines. With recent improvements and expansions, the airport set a record in 2024 with 3.3 million passengers travelling through its terminals.

Location and accessibility

Knoxville, Tennessee, is served by the McGhee Tyson Airport, located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville. The airport covers 2,250 acres of land at an elevation of 986 feet. It has two parallel runways: 5L/23R and 5R/23L. The airport is easily accessible by car, with short-term and long-term parking available, as well as car rental services from several companies. It is also served by ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, taxis, charters, and hotel shuttles.

McGhee Tyson Airport is committed to providing a seamless and accommodating experience for all travellers. The airport offers free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal, with convenient plug-in stations for charging devices. It also provides a user-friendly terminal map to help travellers easily navigate the airport and find essential services such as gates, restrooms, and dining options.

The airport serves as a hub for both commercial and military aviation. It offers nonstop flights to 25 or more destinations through six airlines, including Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and United Airlines. These airlines provide reliable travel experiences and excellent customer service.

The airport has undergone several improvements over the years, including the addition of new concourses, gates, ticket counters, and dining options. In 2022, the airport set an all-time record with 3.3 million passengers, showcasing its importance to the region.

McGhee Tyson Airport is named after Charles McGhee Tyson, a United States Navy pilot lost on patrol during World War I. The airport has a long history, dating back to the first airline flight that landed there in 1937. Over the decades, it has expanded and improved its facilities, including runways, cargo facilities, and passenger terminals, to become one of the most convenient and accessible regional airports in the nation.

Airlines and destinations

Knoxville, Tennessee is served by the McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), a premier air facility in East Tennessee, located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville. The airport offers nonstop flights to over 20 destinations, including Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, and Detroit.

The airport partners with leading airlines to provide a range of flight options for travellers. The airlines operating from McGhee Tyson Airport include:

• Allegiant Air
• American Airlines
• Delta Airlines
• Frontier Airlines (seasonal)
• United Airlines

These airlines offer convenient connections to various domestic destinations. For example, with Delta Airlines, you can travel to Atlanta, Detroit, and Fort Lauderdale. American Airlines provides service to Charlotte and Chicago, while United Airlines offers flights to Denver and Chicago as well. Frontier Airlines, a seasonal carrier, provides additional options during certain times of the year.

In addition to its domestic offerings, McGhee Tyson Airport also provides international travel options. Allegiant Air, for instance, offers flights to popular destinations like Boston, Austin, and Destin/Ft. Walton Beach. The airport's website, FlyKnoxville, provides a helpful resource for travellers, offering a live arrivals and departures schedule to stay informed and avoid unnecessary delays.

McGhee Tyson Airport is committed to providing a seamless and accommodating experience for all travellers. It offers various transportation options, including rental car companies, ride-shares, taxis, charters, and hotel shuttles. The airport also provides short and long-term parking options, making it a convenient choice for those travelling through Knoxville.

Services and amenities

Knoxville, Tennessee is served by the McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), a premier air facility in East Tennessee located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville. The airport offers nonstop flights to 25 or more destinations through six airlines. It handles commercial and cargo airline services, military and general aviation.

McGhee Tyson Airport has two levels, with Arrivals on Level 1 and Departures on Level 2. The airport offers free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal, with convenient plug-in stations to charge devices. It also has a wide range of facilities and amenities, including:

• Business and conference facilities
• ATM machines
• A small but quality gift shop selling souvenirs and local goods
• A newsagent with a wide range of print media
• A great selection of eateries, including restaurants, cafes and bars serving quality local cuisine
• Extensive disabled facilities
• A Ruby Tuesday restaurant
• A Phone and Wait Lot behind the Airport Hilton for vehicles waiting for guests to arrive
• Short-term and long-term parking
• Car rental services
• Nearby area hotels
• Live arrivals and departures schedule

History and development

Knoxville, Tennessee, is served by the McGhee Tyson Airport, located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville. The airport is named after United States Navy pilot Charles McGhee Tyson, who was lost on patrol during World War I.

The history of McGhee Tyson Airport can be traced back to 1937 when an American Airlines Stinson Trimotor made the first airline flight, carrying around ten passengers. Prior to this, American's Stinsons landed at Island Airport on Dickinson Island, east of Knoxville. The early development of the airport included the construction of runways, with the 1938 directory showing a 3,100-foot (940-meter) N-S runway and a 4,200-foot (1,300-meter) NE-SW runway. By 1939, the N-S runway had been expanded to 4,000 feet (1,200 meters), and the NE-SW runway to 5,000 feet (1,500 meters).

In 1941, the city built a control tower, and the airport continued to play a significant role in the economic development of the region, particularly for the City of Alcoa, known for its aluminum production. The United States Air Force constructed several facilities on the field in 1951, further enhancing the airport's capabilities.

McGhee Tyson Airport underwent significant expansion and improvements over the years. In 1968, a new air cargo facility was built, followed by the opening of a new passenger terminal in 1974. The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (MKAA) was established in 1978, taking charge of the airport's operations and future developments. Runway expansions continued, with runway 5R/23L being rebuilt to 9,000 feet (2,700 meters) in 1990.

In 1992, a substantial cargo facility was constructed on the north side of the airport, catering to major carriers like Federal Express, UPS, and Airborne Express. This project demonstrated the airport's commitment to meeting the needs of cargo carriers and contributed to the airport's overall growth.

The year 2000 marked another significant milestone in the airport's development, with the completion of a $70 million improvement project for the passenger terminal. This included the addition of two new concourses, twelve new gates, ticket counters, and enhanced dining options, such as a Ruby Tuesday restaurant. These improvements elevated the overall travel experience for passengers.

In 2002, an aircraft maintenance facility was constructed for Northwest Airlines, showcasing their dedication to aircraft maintenance and servicing. More recently, in 2016, the airport received a substantial grant of $27.9 million from the Federal Aviation Administration to extend runway 5L/23R to 10,000 feet (3,000 meters). This expansion project, completed by 2021, ensured that the airport could accommodate various aircraft sizes and demonstrated its commitment to staying up-to-date with aviation industry demands.

Passenger experience and reviews

Knoxville, Tennessee is served by the McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), a public and military airport located 12 miles south of the city in Alcoa, Tennessee. The airport is named after United States Navy pilot Charles McGhee Tyson, who was killed in World War I.

The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority, which owns the airport, is committed to providing a seamless and accommodating experience for all travellers. The airport offers a range of services and amenities to ensure a comfortable and efficient travel experience. For instance, free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal, along with convenient plug-in stations for charging devices. Additionally, the airport provides a user-friendly terminal map with clear icons, labelled zones, and colour-coded areas, making it easy for travellers to navigate and locate essential services such as gates, restrooms, and dining options.

The airport has received positive reviews from passengers, with a four-star rating on Yelp. One reviewer praised the airport's accessibility and convenience, stating that it is one of the most accessible regional airports in the nation. The reviewer also highlighted the availability of short-term and long-term parking options, as well as nearby car rental services and area hotels. Another reviewer appreciated the smooth and stress-free airport experience, mentioning the intuitive layout that made it easier to navigate and find their way around quickly.

However, it is worth noting that there may be a limited number of reviews available, as indicated by the Yelp website, which states that users have not yet asked any questions about the airport. Nonetheless, the airport has consistently focused on enhancing the passenger experience, as evidenced by the completion of a multi-year runway expansion project in 2021, which cost $27.9 million. This expansion improved the airport's capacity and ensured a more efficient travel experience for passengers.

McGhee Tyson Airport offers nonstop flights to various destinations through several leading airlines, including Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and United Airlines. The airport also provides a live arrivals and departures schedule, enabling passengers to stay informed and avoid unnecessary delays. In addition, several rental car companies, ride-sharing services, taxis, charters, and hotel shuttles serve the airport, making it convenient for passengers to arrange transportation in advance. Overall, McGhee Tyson Airport strives to provide a positive and seamless travel experience for its passengers, offering a range of amenities, efficient services, and convenient travel options.

Frequently asked questions