
The McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, just 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville. The airport is named after Charles McGhee Tyson and was opened on August 1, 1930. Covering 2,250 acres of land at an elevation of 986 feet, it is the premier air facility in East Tennessee, offering nonstop flights to over 25 destinations through six airlines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | McGhee Tyson Airport |
| Location | 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee |
| Year opened | 1930 |
| Area | 2,250 acres |
| Elevation | 986 feet |
| Number of runways | 2 |
| Number of destinations | 20+ nonstop destinations |
| Number of flights | 120 daily flights |
| Number of seats | 4,000+ |
| Airlines | Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, United Airlines, and more |
| Services | Free Wi-Fi, charging stations, curbside drop-off, parking garage, ticket counters, security, gates, restaurants, shops, car rental, etc. |
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What You'll Learn

Knoxville Airport is officially named McGhee Tyson Airport
The original McGhee Tyson Airport opened on August 1, 1930, and was built on 60 acres of land in West Knoxville. In 1935, the city purchased an additional 351 acres in Blount County for the current airport site. McGhee Tyson Airport offers nonstop flights to 25-30 destinations through six airlines, including Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and United Airlines. It is both a public and military airport, accommodating any size of aircraft with its parallel 9,000-foot runways.
McGhee Tyson Airport has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years. In 1974, a new passenger terminal opened, and in 1990, runway 5R/23L was rebuilt to 9,000 feet. In 2000, a $70 million improvement project was completed, adding new concourses, gates, ticket counters, and the first Ruby Tuesday airport restaurant in the nation. The airport set a record in 2024 with 3.3 million passengers travelling through, and it continues to be one of the most convenient and accessible regional airports in the nation.
The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (MKAA) manages McGhee Tyson Airport and is dedicated to providing a seamless and accommodating experience for all travellers. The airport offers various amenities, including free Wi-Fi, charging stations, restaurants, shops, and both short-term and long-term parking options. It also handles commercial airline, air cargo, military aviation, and general aviation air traffic.
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It is located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville
Knoxville Airport, also known as McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), is located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. The airport was named after United States Navy pilot Charles McGhee Tyson, who was lost on patrol during World War I. It is the premier air facility in East Tennessee, serving commercial, military, and general aviation.
The airport covers 2,250 acres of land, with two parallel runways: 5L/23R, which is 10,000 by 150 feet, and 5R/23L, which is 9,000 by 150 feet. The facility can accommodate aircraft of any size and has space for additional economic development and air cargo facilities. McGhee Tyson Airport offers nonstop flights to 25 destinations through six airlines, with more than 120 arrivals and departures daily.
The airport has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years, including a $70 million project in 2000 that added new concourses, gates, ticket counters, and a Ruby Tuesday restaurant. In 2021, the rebuilt 10,000-foot runway 5L/23R reopened after a multi-year expansion project. The airport is easily accessible and provides a seamless travel experience with various amenities, including free Wi-Fi, charging stations, short and long-term parking, car rentals, and nearby hotels.
McGhee Tyson Airport has a rich history, with luminaries like Elvis Presley utilising the facility. It also played a significant role in the diversification of Alcoa's economy, contributing to its independence from the aluminium industry. The airport is committed to accommodating all travellers, including those with accessibility and mobility requirements. With its convenient location, range of services, and historical significance, McGhee Tyson Airport serves as an essential gateway to Knoxville and the surrounding region.
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The airport handles commercial, cargo, and military aviation
Knoxville McGhee Tyson Airport, located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, is the premier air facility in East Tennessee. It is a public and military airport 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, with two parallel runways: 5L/23R, which is 10,000 feet long, and 5R/23L, which is 9,000 feet long. These runways can accommodate aircraft of any size in today's inventory.
McGhee Tyson Airport offers a seamless and accommodating experience for all travellers, with a commitment to accessibility and mobility services. The airport provides free Wi-Fi and charging stations throughout the terminal. It also features a Smoky Mountain theme, complete with faux waterfalls and wood carvings of bears. The airport set a record in 2024 with 3.3 million passengers travelling through, and it handles a significant volume of aircraft operations, including general aviation, air taxi, military, and air carrier flights. In 2023, there were 104,459 aircraft operations, with an average of 286 per day. Of these, 46,858 were general aviation, 18,433 were air taxi, 9,952 were military, and 29,216 were air carrier.
The airport handles commercial airline, cargo, and military aviation. It offers nonstop flights to various destinations through several airlines, including Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines. The airport has a variety of flight options and is committed to providing reliable travel experiences. It also has a crew base for Allegiant Air and delivery, maintenance, and training centres for Cirrus Aircraft.
McGhee Tyson Airport has undergone significant development over the years. In 1968, a new air cargo facility was built, followed by a new passenger terminal in 1974. In 1992, a new 21-acre cargo facility was constructed for Federal Express, UPS, and Airborne Express. The airport completed a $70 million renovation and expansion of its main terminal in 2000, adding new concourses, gates, ticket counters, and other amenities. More recently, in 2021, the rebuilt 10,000-foot runway 5L/23R was reopened after a multi-year expansion project.
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It is named after Charles McGhee Tyson, a US Navy pilot
McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) is located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. It is the premier air facility in East Tennessee, offering nonstop flights to over 20 destinations through six airlines. The airport is named after Charles McGhee Tyson, a United States Navy pilot who was lost on patrol during World War I.
Charles McGhee Tyson followed in his father's footsteps by enlisting and attending flight school. Tyson's father, Lawrence Davis Tyson, was known for fighting Geromino's Apaches and becoming the military governor of Puerto Rico before serving as the Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives. Before the war, Charles McGhee Tyson found himself working at his father's company and helping design a golf course. However, when World War I broke out, he joined the war effort and became a pilot.
Details of Charles McGhee Tyson's final mission are unclear, but it is known that he volunteered for one last assignment before going on leave to London. Unfortunately, his plane went down in a thick North Sea fog in October 1918, claiming his life. In memory of her son, Tyson's heartbroken mother donated the land for what became the McGhee Tyson Airport, with the stipulation that it bear his name.
Over the years, the airport has undergone significant development. It was originally built on 60 acres in West Knoxville in 1930, but the city purchased additional land in Blount County for the current airport site. The first airline flight landed at McGhee Tyson in 1937, and the airport has continued to expand and improve its facilities over time. Today, it covers 2,250 acres and offers a range of services, including commercial, cargo, and military aviation.
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The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority manages the airport
Knoxville's McGhee Tyson Airport is 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. It is both a public and military airport.
The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (MKAA) was established in 1978. The Authority is dedicated to ensuring a seamless and accommodating experience for all travellers at the airport. It believes that everyone should have access to comfortable and efficient air travel. To that end, the airport provides free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal, with convenient plug-in stations to charge devices. It also offers a variety of flight options, partnering with leading airlines to provide a range of destinations.
The MKAA has also been responsible for several development projects at the airport. In 1990, runway 5R/23L was rebuilt to 9,000 feet. Two years later, the airport authority built a new 21-acre cargo facility on the north side of the airport for Federal Express, UPS and Airborne Express. In 2000, improvements to the passenger terminal were completed, including the addition of two new concourses, 12 new gates, ticket counters, and a Ruby Tuesday restaurant. The total cost of these improvements was $70 million. In 2002, an aircraft maintenance facility was built for Northwest Airlines. In 2009, a new food court was completed, featuring Starbucks, Quiznos, Cinnabon, and Zia locations.
McGhee Tyson Airport covers 2,250 acres at an elevation of 986 feet. It has two parallel runways: 5L/23R is 10,000 by 150 feet concrete and 5R/23L is 9,000 by 150 feet asphalt. The airport is home to a maintenance base for Endeavor Air, a crew base for Allegiant Air, and delivery, maintenance and training centres for Cirrus Aircraft.
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Frequently asked questions
Knoxville Airport, also known as McGhee Tyson Airport, is located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee.
The airport covers 2,250 acres of land at an elevation of 986 feet.
Airlines that fly in and out of Knoxville Airport include Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and United Airlines.
Knoxville Airport offers nonstop flights to 25 destinations with six airlines. It also handles commercial, military, and general aviation services.
The airport offers free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal, with plug-in stations to charge devices. It also has restaurants, shops, and both short-term and long-term parking.











































