
Knoxville, Tennessee is served by the McGhee Tyson Airport, which is located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville. The airport code for the McGhee Tyson Airport is TYS. 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 nonstop flights to over 20 destinations and is known for its convenience and accessibility.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | McGhee Tyson Airport |
| Airport Code | TYS |
| Location | 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee |
| Facilities | Two levels, ticket counters, security, gates, restaurants, shops, car rental counters, three baggage claims, airline offices, airport offices, parking garage |
| Airlines | Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines (seasonal), United Airlines |
| Destinations | Nonstop flights to 30+ destinations, including Sarasota, Florida; Gulf Shores, Alabama; and Washington D.C./Dulles, Virginia |
| Aircraft Operations (2023) | 104,459, averaging 286 per day |
| Aircraft Based at the Airport (2023) | 186: 84 single-engine, 26 multi-engine, 50 jet, 22 military, 4 helicopter |
| Runways | Two parallel runways: 5L/23R (10,000 ft) and 5R/23L (9,000 ft) |
| Elevation | 986 feet (301 m) |
| Area | 2,250 acres (9.1 km2) |
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What You'll Learn

McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) is Knoxville's airport
McGhee Tyson Airport offers non-stop flights to over 20 destinations, with more than 120 daily flights through six airlines, including Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and United Airlines. The airport has a user-friendly terminal design, with clear icons, labelled zones, and colour-coded areas to help travellers easily navigate to gates, restrooms, dining options, and other essential services.
The airport has two levels, with the top level accessible via curbside drop-off and the parking garage. The upper 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 is dedicated to car rental counters, baggage claims, and various airline and airport offices. There are currently 12 gates, with plans for a six-gate expansion announced in 2023, aiming for completion by 2028.
McGhee Tyson Airport has a rich history, with continuous improvements and expansions over the years. A new air cargo facility was built in 1968, followed by a new passenger terminal in 1974. The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (MKAA) was established in 1978, and runway improvements and expansions have been ongoing since, with the most recent expansion of the north runway completed in 2021. The airport also houses maintenance and training centres for various airlines and aircraft companies.
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It is 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville
Knoxville Airport, also known as McGhee Tyson Airport, is located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. The airport is accessible via several transport options, including rental cars, ride-shares, taxis, charters, and hotel shuttles. It is recommended that travellers make reservations in advance to ensure a smooth arrival.
McGhee Tyson Airport is named after United States Navy pilot Charles McGhee Tyson, who was lost on patrol during World War I. The airport covers 2,250 acres of land and is situated at an elevation of 986 feet. It features two parallel runways, with the north runway, 5L/23R, spanning 10,000 feet in length, and the other, 5R/23L, measuring 9,000 feet.
As the premier air facility in East Tennessee, McGhee Tyson Airport caters to both public and military aviation. It offers nonstop flights to over 30 destinations through six airlines, including Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines. The airport also provides convenient services such as short and long-term parking, car rentals, and nearby accommodations.
The airport has undergone various improvements over the years, including the construction of new cargo facilities, expansions of the passenger terminal, and enhancements to meet the growing demands of the region. In 2023, McGhee Tyson Airport recorded 104,459 aircraft operations, averaging 286 flights per day. It is an essential aviation hub for the region, serving a variety of aircraft and providing maintenance and training centres for different airlines.
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TYS offers nonstop flights to 30+ destinations
Knoxville's McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) is the premier air facility in East Tennessee, serving both public and military aviation. The airport is located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville. TYS offers nonstop flights to over 30 destinations through six airlines, including Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and United Airlines.
The airport has two levels, with the top level featuring ticket counters, security, gates, restaurants, and shops. This level is accessible via curbside drop-off and the parking garage. Designed with a Smoky Mountain theme, it boasts faux waterfalls and wood carvings of bears. The bottom level houses car rental counters, baggage claims, and airline and airport offices. There are currently 12 gates, with plans for a six-gate expansion to the terminal by 2028.
The airport handles a significant volume of air traffic, with 104,459 aircraft operations in 2023, averaging 286 per day. It is also home to various aviation facilities, including a maintenance base for Endeavor Air, a crew base for Allegiant Air, and delivery, maintenance, and training centers for Cirrus Aircraft.
TYS has undergone several improvements over the years, including the construction of new cargo facilities, expansions to runways, and enhancements to the passenger terminal. In 2024, the airport set a record with 3.3 million passengers, reflecting a significant increase in traffic.
With its convenient location, efficient terminal design, and a wide range of airline options, McGhee Tyson Airport provides a seamless travel experience for passengers in the region.
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The airport has two levels
Knoxville's airport is called McGhee Tyson Airport (IATA code: TYS). The airport is located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. It 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 can be accessed from the curbside drop-off point and the parking garage. This level features ticket counters, security, gates, restaurants, and shops. It is designed with a Smoky Mountain theme, featuring faux waterfalls and wood carvings of bears.
The bottom level of the airport is where you will find the car rental counters, three baggage claims, airline offices, and airport offices. There are a total of 12 gates at the airport. Gate assignments may vary, but as of July 2023, Gates 2 and 4 were typically used by Allegiant Air, Gate 6 was a common use gate, Gates 8, 10, and 12 were used by American Airlines, Gates 1, 3, and 5 were used by Delta Airlines, and Gates 7, 9, and 11 were used by United Airlines.
In 2023, it was announced that the airport would undergo a six-gate expansion to meet the growing needs of the region. This expansion is targeted for completion in 2028. To facilitate this project, part of the airport's long-term parking lot was closed in January 2024 to make way for the expansion of the current garage.
McGhee Tyson Airport is a public and military airport that offers nonstop flights to over 20 destinations through more than six airlines. It handles commercial and cargo airline services, as well as military and general aviation. The airport covers 2,250 acres of land and has two parallel runways.
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TYS is named after Charles McGhee Tyson, a US Navy pilot
Knoxville Airport in Tennessee is named McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) after United States Navy pilot Charles McGhee Tyson, who was lost on patrol during World War I. The airport is located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, and is the premier air facility serving East Tennessee. It is both a public and military airport.
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 is used for car rental counters, baggage claims, and airline and airport offices. There are 12 gates in total. On a regular day, Gates 2 & 4 are used by Allegiant Air, Gate 6 is a common use gate, Gates 8, 10, & 12 are used by American Airlines, Gates 1, 3 & 5 are used by Delta Airlines, and Gates 7, 9, & 11 are used by United Airlines. Gate assignments are subject to change.
McGhee Tyson Airport offers nonstop flights to over 30 destinations through six airlines, including Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and United Airlines. In 2023, the airport handled 104,459 aircraft operations, averaging 286 per day, with 46,858 general aviation, 18,433 air taxi, 9,952 military, and 29,216 air carrier operations. The airport also has a maintenance base for Endeavor Air, a crew base for Allegiant Air, and delivery, maintenance, and training centers for Cirrus Aircraft.
The airport has undergone several improvements and expansions 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 four years later. In 1990, one of the runways was rebuilt to 9,000 feet, and in 1992, a new 21-acre cargo facility was constructed for Federal Express, UPS, and Airborne Express. In 2000, improvements to the passenger terminal were completed at a cost of $70 million, adding two new concourses, 12 new gates, ticket counters, and a restaurant. More recently, in 2024, the airport set a record with 3.3 million passengers, and plans for a six-gate expansion to the terminal are underway, with a target completion date of 2028.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport code for McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, Tennessee is TYS.
The airport is named after United States Navy pilot Charles McGhee Tyson, who was lost on patrol in World War I.
The airport is located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville.
The airport offers short-term and long-term parking, car rentals, and nearby area hotels. Inside the airport, there are ticket counters, gates, restaurants, and shops.
Some of the airlines include Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines (seasonal), and United Airlines.











































