Tennessee Airport Location: A Traveler's Guide

where is the airport in tennessee

Tennessee is served by several airports, including Nashville Airport, Memphis International Airport, McGhee Tyson Airport, and Tri-Cities Airport. In this topic, we will explore the locations of these airports and the services they provide, including flight destinations, transportation options, and passenger facilities. By understanding the aviation infrastructure in Tennessee, we can gain insights into the state's connectivity, both domestically and internationally, and discover how these airports cater to the travel needs of their customers.

Characteristics Values
Premier air facility in East Tennessee McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)
Airport serving Memphis and Shelby County Memphis International Airport (MEM)
Airport serving Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol Tennessee and the surrounding region Tri-Cities Airport
Airport serving Nashville Nashville Airport

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McGhee Tyson Airport, Knoxville

Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport is the premier air facility serving East Tennessee. It is located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. The airport was named for United States Navy pilot Charles McGhee Tyson, who was lost on patrol during World War I. McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) offers nonstop flights to 25 destinations with six airlines, although some sources state the number of destinations as over 30. It provides commercial, military, and general aviation services.

The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority is dedicated to ensuring a seamless and accommodating experience for all travelers at McGhee Tyson Airport. They aim to provide comfortable and efficient air travel for all customers, including those with accessibility and mobility requirements. The airport offers free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal, with convenient plug-in stations to charge devices. The newly designed terminal map provides a user-friendly guide to help travelers easily navigate the airport. With clear icons, labeled zones, and color-coded areas, the map simplifies finding gates, restrooms, dining options, and other essential services.

Several rental car companies, ride-shares, taxis, charters, and hotel shuttles serve McGhee Tyson. It is highly recommended to make reservations in advance to guarantee transportation once you arrive at the airport. The Phone and Wait Lot behind the Airport Hilton is for vehicles waiting for guests to arrive.

In 1968, McGhee Tyson built a new air cargo facility, and a new passenger terminal opened in 1974. In 1990, runway 5R/23L was rebuilt to 9,000 feet (2,700 meters). The airport covers 2,250 acres (9.1 square kilometers) at an elevation of 986 feet (301 meters). It has two parallel runways: 5L/23R is 10,000 by 150 feet (3,048 by 46 meters) concrete, and 5R/23L is 9,000 by 150 feet (2,743 by 46 meters) asphalt. In 2023, the airport had 104,459 aircraft operations, averaging 286 per day.

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Tri-Cities Airport, Blountville

The Tri-Cities Airport (IATA: TRI, ICAO: KTRI, FAA LID: TRI) is located in Blountville, Tennessee, and serves the Tri-Cities area of Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, Western North Carolina, and Eastern Kentucky. The airport is a full-service commercial hub, offering nonstop flights to five destinations: Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Orlando Sanford, and St. Pete-Clearwater.

The history of the Tri-Cities Airport dates back to the mid-1930s when Johnson City's airfield and Kingsport's airstrip were deemed unfit for expansion. As a result, Bristol, Johnson City, and Kingsport joined forces with Sullivan County to construct an airport on 323 acres of land in Sullivan County, between the three cities. The airport, originally named McKellar Field, became operational in September 1937, with two small runways, a terminal building, and an aircraft hangar. The first airliner to use the airport was an American Airlines DC-2.

Over the years, various airlines have served the Tri-Cities Airport, including American Airlines, which was the first to operate there until 1952, Piedmont Airlines (until it merged into USAir), Capital Airlines and its successor United Airlines (from the 1940s to 1977), and Allegheny Airlines (from 1977 onwards). Southern Airways joined the list of carriers in 1960, and in 1967, the airport welcomed its first jets, including Piedmont Boeing 727-100s and Southern Douglas DC-9-10s. By 1977, a Piedmont Boeing 737-200 was operating a nonstop flight to New York's LaGuardia Airport.

The Tri-Cities Airport covers 1,250 acres of land, featuring two asphalt runways and a variety of facilities for passengers and guests. These include convenient parking, transportation options, a business office, and entertainment while waiting for flights. The airport also offers tours and provides local attraction information and maps at the Airport Service Counter. In recognition of its excellence, the Tri-Cities Airport Authority (TCAA) has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 25 consecutive years.

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Nashville Airport

Nashville International Airport, formerly known as Berry Field Nashville, is located in Nashville, Tennessee. The airport's IATA code is BNA, derived from its former name. Nashville's first airport was Hampton Field, which operated until 1921. It was replaced by Blackwood Field, which operated between 1921 and 1928. The first airlines to serve Nashville were American Airlines and Eastern Air Lines, which flew out of Sky Harbor Airport in nearby Rutherford County.

By 1935, the need for an airport larger and closer to the city than Sky Harbor Airport was recognised, and construction on the new airport began in 1936 as one of the first major Works Progress Administration projects in the area. The airport was enlarged during World War II, and in 1958, the city aviation department began planning further expansions and modernisations. In 1961, a new terminal opened west of Runway 2L, and the first jets at Berry Field began scheduled service.

In the early 1980s, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) commissioned a new, modern terminal, which was completed in 1987. This terminal featured three main concourses and an international wing, solidifying the airport's status as an international travel hub. In 1989, a new parallel runway was opened, further enhancing the airport's capacity.

The Nashville Metropolitan Airport Authority initiated an extensive renovation of the terminal building in 2006, with the first phase completed in 2009 and the second in 2011. The renovated terminal was named the Robert C. H. Mathews Jr. Terminal in 2011, honouring a former MNAA board chair. Nashville International Airport continues to undergo improvements and expansions to accommodate the growing travel demands of the region.

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Memphis International Airport

The airport has a rich history, with Republic establishing Memphis as a hub operation in 1985. The following year, Republic merged with Northwest Airlines, which operated around 300 daily flights at its peak, including international flights to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. In June 1995, Northwest's partner KLM launched a flight to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. From 1993 to 2009, Memphis International was the world's busiest airport for cargo operations, only to be overtaken by Hong Kong in 2010. However, it retained its title as the busiest cargo airport in the United States and the Western Hemisphere.

In recent years, Memphis International Airport has undergone several improvements and expansions. In November 2022, a new $309 million consolidated de-icing facility opened at the airport's southern edge. The airport authority also announced a revised master plan in October 2022, which includes expanding the landside portion of the terminal, creating more parking and car rental space, and extending runways. Construction on the terminal is set to commence in the summer of 2024.

The airport currently has three terminals (A, B, and C) with a single concourse. The southwest leg of Concourse B will be updated in the future, catering exclusively to passengers from inbound international flights in the near term. Modernization efforts began in September 2018 and were completed in February 2022.

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Memphis Airport's transport options

Tennessee is served by several airports, including Memphis International Airport (MEM) and McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS).

Memphis International Airport (MEM) Transport Options

Memphis International Airport offers a range of transport options for travellers, including:

  • Rental cars: Nine national rental car companies are located in the Ground Transportation Center, which can be found on the lower level of Terminal B. Wheelchair assistance is available upon request.
  • Taxis and limos: Taxi, limo, and rideshare services are available at the airport.
  • Shuttles: Many hotels offer shuttle services to and from the airport. Complimentary shuttles are also offered by Fixed Base Operators (FBO) Signature Flight Support and Wilson Air Center. Shuttle services can also be pre-arranged for transportation to and from Tunica casinos, destinations in and around Memphis, and guided tours of the city.
  • Public transport: The MATA #28 Airport Route serves the airport.

McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) Transport Options

McGhee Tyson Airport is located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville and offers the following transport options:

  • Rental cars: Several rental car companies serve the airport.
  • Ride shares, taxis, charters, and hotel shuttles: These services are available at the airport, but it is recommended to make reservations in advance.

For travellers looking for a seamless and convenient airport transfer experience, companies like Jayride offer pre-booking services for private transfers to and from Memphis International Airport. This allows travellers to compare prices and select from a range of vehicle options, including private cars, shared shuttles, and luxury vehicles.

Frequently asked questions

McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) is located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville.

Memphis International Airport (MEM) is located 11km southeast of Memphis and serves the entire Shelby County.

Nashville Airport (BNA) is located about 10km from Nashville.

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