
Knoxville, Tennessee is served by the McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), a public and military 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 in World War I. McGhee Tyson Airport offers nonstop flights to 25 destinations with six airlines and is known for its user-friendly design and intuitive layout, ensuring a seamless travel experience for all passengers, including those with accessibility and mobility requirements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | McGhee Tyson Airport |
| Location | Alcoa, Tennessee |
| Address | 2055 Alcoa Highway Alcoa, TN 37701 |
| Terminals | 1 |
| Levels | 2 |
| Airlines | Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines (seasonal), United Airlines, and more |
| Destinations | 25 |
| Daily flights | 120 |
| Services | Commercial, military, and general aviation |
| Employees | 2,700 |
| Parking | Short-term and long-term parking available |
| Nearby attractions | 30-minute drive to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) is Knoxville's airport
- It offers nonstop flights to 25 destinations with 6 airlines
- The airport has two levels, with the top level accessed via curbside drop-off and the parking garage
- It is located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee
- The airport is owned by the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority

McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) is Knoxville's airport
Knoxville is served by the McGhee Tyson Airport, also known by its code TYS. The airport is located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, and is accessible via the 2055 Alcoa Highway. It is a public and military airport, with commercial, military, and general aviation services. The airport is named after United States Navy pilot Charles McGhee Tyson, who was lost on patrol in World War I.
McGhee Tyson Airport has two levels. The top level, which can be accessed via the curbside drop-off and parking garage, features ticket counters, security, gates, restaurants, and shops. This level is designed with a Smoky Mountain theme, featuring faux waterfalls and wood carvings of bears. The bottom level is where you'll find car rental counters, three baggage claims, airline offices, and airport offices. There are a total of 12 gates, with several airlines operating out of the airport, including Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and United Airlines.
The airport offers nonstop flights to 25 destinations with six airlines. It is also the home of the McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, an airbase for the 134th Air Refueling Wing of the Tennessee Air National Guard. The airport covers a vast area of 2,250 acres at an elevation of 986 feet. In 2024, McGhee Tyson Airport set a record with 3.3 million passengers travelling through, a significant increase from the previous year.
The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority, which owns the airport, is dedicated to providing a seamless and accommodating experience for all travellers. A newly designed terminal map, featuring clear icons, labelled zones, and colour-coded areas, simplifies wayfinding for travellers. The authority also ensures access to comfortable and efficient air travel for all, including those with accessibility and mobility requirements.
How Retail Kiosks Boost Airport Productivity and Efficiency
You may want to see also
Explore related products

It offers nonstop flights to 25 destinations with 6 airlines
Knoxville is served by the McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), a public and military airport located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. The airport is named after United States Navy pilot Charles McGhee Tyson, who was lost on patrol during World War I.
McGhee Tyson Airport offers a variety of flight options, partnering with leading airlines to provide nonstop flights to 25 destinations. The airport is served by six airlines, including Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines (seasonal), and United Airlines. Each carrier is dedicated to providing excellent service and a reliable travel experience.
The airport has two levels, with the top level accessible via curbside drop-off and the parking garage. This level features ticket counters, security, gates, restaurants, and shops, all designed with a Smoky Mountain theme, including faux waterfalls and wood carvings of bears. The bottom level houses car rental counters, three baggage claims, airline offices, and airport administration offices. There are 12 gates in total, with gate assignments subject to change.
In addition to its flight services, McGhee Tyson Airport also offers several other amenities and services. These include short-term and long-term parking, rental car services, and nearby area hotels. The airport is easily navigable, with a user-friendly terminal map that provides clear icons, labelled zones, and colour-coded areas to help travellers find their way to gates, restrooms, dining options, and other essential services.
Ogun State's Airport Plans and Progress
You may want to see also

The airport has two levels, with the top level accessed via curbside drop-off and the parking garage
Knoxville is served by the McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), a public and military airport located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. The airport is named after United States Navy pilot Charles McGhee Tyson, who was lost on patrol in World War I.
The curbside drop-off area is ideal for quick goodbyes and farewells, allowing travellers to exit their vehicles and enter the airport without having to navigate through a large parking lot. This drop-off area is also a convenient option for those being picked up from the airport, as it provides a designated space for drivers to wait for their arriving passengers.
The bottom level of the airport caters to different needs, housing car rental counters, three baggage claims, airline offices, and airport administrative offices. This level ensures that travellers can efficiently collect their luggage and, if needed, rent a car or address any queries with airline representatives.
The airport's layout, with distinct levels for departures and arrivals, streamlines the travel experience, making it a convenient and accessible regional airport.
Duties of an Airport Security Guard: Protecting the Skies
You may want to see also

It is located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville is served by McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), a public and military airport located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. The airport is named after United States Navy pilot Charles McGhee Tyson, who went missing while on patrol during World War I. The original McGhee Tyson airport opened in 1930 and was built on 60 acres of land in West Knoxville. In 1935, the city bought 351 acres in Blount County for the new airport site, which is its current location.
McGhee Tyson Airport has two levels. The top level, which can be accessed via the curbside drop-off and parking garage, features ticket counters, security, gates, restaurants, and shops. It boasts a Smoky Mountain theme, complete with faux waterfalls and wood carvings of bears. The bottom level is where you'll find car rental counters, three baggage claims, airline offices, and airport administration offices. The airport offers a seamless and accommodating experience for all travellers, including those with accessibility and mobility requirements.
The airport is served by several major airlines, including Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines (seasonal), and United Airlines. With 120 daily flights and over 20 nonstop destinations, it is one of the most convenient and accessible regional airports in the nation. In addition to short and long-term parking, travellers can also take advantage of car rental services and nearby hotels.
McGhee Tyson Airport is also home to the McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, which houses the 134th Air Refuelling Wing of the Tennessee Air National Guard. The airport has undergone several expansions and improvements over the years, including a recent six-gate expansion to meet the growing demands of the region.
The History Behind the FSD Airport Abbreviation
You may want to see also

The airport is owned by the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority
Knoxville is served by the McGhee Tyson Airport, which is owned by the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority. The airport is located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, and is named after United States Navy pilot Charles McGhee Tyson, who was lost on patrol during World War I. It is both a public and military airport, serving as the base for the 134th Air Refueling Wing of the Tennessee Air National Guard.
The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority is dedicated to ensuring a seamless and accommodating experience for all travellers passing through the airport. They aim to provide comfortable and efficient air travel for everyone, including those with accessibility and mobility requirements. The airport authority has implemented various measures to enhance the overall airport experience, such as a user-friendly terminal map with clear icons, labelled zones, and colour-coded areas, making it easier for travellers to navigate their way around.
McGhee Tyson Airport offers a range of flight options through partnerships with leading airlines, serving over 20 nonstop destinations. The airport has two levels, with the top level accessible via curbside drop-off and the parking garage. The upper level houses ticket counters, security checkpoints, gates, restaurants, and shops, all designed with a Smoky Mountain theme, featuring faux waterfalls and wood carvings of bears. The bottom level is dedicated to car rental counters, baggage claims, airline offices, and airport administration.
The airport has a long and fascinating history, dating back to its opening in 1930 when it was built on 60 acres of land in West Knoxville. Over the years, the airport has undergone various expansions and improvements, including the addition of new runways, the construction of an air cargo facility, and the extension of existing runways to accommodate larger aircraft. In 1965, the first scheduled airline jets arrived at the airport, operated by Delta DC-9s. Today, the airport continues to grow and develop, with recent projects including a six-gate expansion to the terminal and a multi-year runway expansion, demonstrating the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority's commitment to enhancing the airport's infrastructure and capacity to meet the region's growing needs.
Airports: Safe or Not?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Knoxville has an airport. It is called the McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) and is located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee.
The airport has two levels. The top level has ticket counters, security, gates, restaurants, and shops. The bottom level is used for car rental counters, three baggage claims, airline offices, and airport offices. The airport also has short-term and long-term parking, and nearby area hotels.
Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines (seasonal), and United Airlines.
In 2024, McGhee Tyson Airport saw 3.3 million passengers, a 17.8% increase from 2023. On average, the airport sees 286 aircraft operations per day.






![Airport: The Complete Collection [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81-nvGF8wgL._AC_UY218_.jpg)








