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McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) is located just 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, and is the premier air facility in East Tennessee. The airport is named after McGhee Tyson, a local World War I pilot who died in 1922. The airport offers nonstop flights to over 25 destinations with 6 airlines and handles commercial, military, and general aviation services. With a recent record of 3.3 million passengers in 2024, the airport plays a crucial role in the region's economic development and tourism, supporting travel to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | McGhee Tyson Airport |
| Location | 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee |
| Year of Opening | 1930 |
| Named after | United States Navy pilot Charles McGhee Tyson, who was killed in World War I |
| Owner | Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority |
| Number of Destinations | 25-30+ |
| Number of Airlines | 6 |
| Services | Commercial, military, and general aviation |
| Economic Impact | $1 billion annually |
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What You'll Learn
- The airport is officially named McGhee Tyson Airport, after a World War II pilot
- It is 12 miles south of Knoxville, Tennessee, and is the region's premier air facility
- It offers nonstop flights to 25+ destinations with six airlines
- The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (MKAA) was established in 1978
- The airport has two levels, with ticket counters, security, gates, restaurants and shops
The airport is officially named McGhee Tyson Airport, after a World War II pilot
Knoxville Airport is officially named McGhee Tyson Airport, after a World War II pilot. McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) is located just 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville and is the premier air facility in East Tennessee. The airport handles commercial airline services, air cargo operations, military and general aviation.
The airport covers 2,250 acres of land at an elevation of 986 feet. It has two parallel runways: 5L/23R, which is 10,000 feet by 150 feet, and 5R/23L, which is 9,000 feet by 150 feet. TYS offers nonstop flights to 25 or more destinations with at least six airlines. In 2023, the airport recorded 104,459 aircraft operations, averaging 286 per day.
The airport has two levels. The top level, which can be accessed via the curbside drop-off and the parking garage, has 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 is used for car rental counters, three baggage claims, airline offices, and airport offices.
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. In 2000, improvements to the passenger terminal were finished, including two new concourses, 12 new gates, ticket counters, and a Ruby Tuesday restaurant. In 2021, the rebuilt 10,000-foot runway 5L/23R was reopened after undergoing expansion.
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It is 12 miles south of Knoxville, Tennessee, and is the region's premier air facility
Knoxville McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) is a premier air facility 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.
As the premier air facility in East Tennessee, McGhee Tyson Airport offers nonstop flights to over 25 destinations through six airlines, including Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and United Airlines. The airport handles commercial, cargo, and military aviation services, with over 100,000 aircraft operations recorded in 2023.
The airport covers 2,250 acres of land and has two parallel runways, one 10,000 feet long and the other 9,000 feet long. It offers convenient services such as free Wi-Fi, charging stations, and a user-friendly terminal map for easy navigation. The airport also provides both short-term and long-term parking options, car rental services, and nearby accommodation.
McGhee Tyson Airport has undergone several expansions and improvements over the years. A new air cargo facility was built in 1968, followed by the opening of a new passenger terminal in 1974. In 2000, significant improvements were made to the passenger terminal, including the addition of new concourses, gates, and ticket counters. More recently, in 2023, the airport announced plans for a six-gate expansion to meet the growing demands of the region.
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It offers nonstop flights to 25+ destinations with six airlines
Knoxville Airport, officially known as McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), is located 11-12 miles south of downtown Knoxville. It is a medium-sized airport with two levels, two runways, and six gates. The airport offers nonstop flights to 25+ destinations through six airlines, including Allegiant, American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta, Avelo, and Endeavor Air.
The top level of the airport is accessed through curbside drop-off and the parking garage. It houses 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 provides free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal and has convenient plug-in stations for charging devices.
As the premier air facility in East Tennessee, McGhee Tyson Airport handles commercial and cargo airline services, as well as military and general aviation. The airport has a variety of flight options, partnering with leading airlines to offer nonstop flights to destinations across the United States.
Some of the popular nonstop routes from Knoxville include Atlanta, Austin, Belleville, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Sarasota, Tampa, and Washington. The longest nonstop route is to Las Vegas, covering a distance of 1,077 miles.
In addition to passenger services, McGhee Tyson Airport also has a significant cargo operation. The airport has undergone various expansion and improvement projects over the years, including the construction of new cargo facilities and the extension of runways to accommodate larger aircraft.
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The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (MKAA) was established in 1978
The MKAA has been dedicated to ensuring a seamless and accommodating experience for all travellers at the airport. They provide free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal and convenient plug-in stations to charge devices. The airport showcases the region's heritage by displaying local artwork and architectural elements reflecting the natural beauty and culture of the Smoky Mountains.
McGhee Tyson Airport has played a crucial role in East Tennessee's economic development and connectivity. It has an estimated annual economic impact of $1 billion on the region. The airport supports tourism to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and facilitates business travel and trade, making it an indispensable asset.
Over the years, the MKAA has undertaken various expansion and improvement projects at the airport. In 1990, runway 5R/23L was rebuilt to 9,000 feet, and a new cargo facility was constructed in 1992. In 2000, significant improvements were made to the passenger terminal, including the addition of new concourses and gates. More recently, in 2024, the airport set a record with 3.3 million passengers, and expansion plans continue to meet the growing demands of the region.
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The airport has two levels, with ticket counters, security, gates, restaurants and shops
McGhee Tyson Airport, also known as Knoxville Airport or TYS, is a public/military airport 12 miles (or 19 km) south of Knoxville, in Alcoa, Tennessee. The airport is named after United States Navy pilot Charles McGhee Tyson, who was killed in World War I.
The airport offers a range of facilities and amenities, including business and conference facilities, Wi-Fi, ATMs, gift shops, eateries and disabled facilities. The business centre on the second floor of the terminal provides equipment such as photocopiers, computers and printers, while the onsite Hilton Knoxville Airport hotel offers conference facilities with catering services. The airport also has a Phone and Wait Lot behind the Airport Hilton for vehicles waiting for guests to arrive.
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Frequently asked questions
TYS stands for McGhee Tyson Airport.
The airport was named after McGhee Tyson, who was a local World War I pilot.
The airport is located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee.
The airport offers free Wi-Fi, charging stations, restaurants, shops, car rental services, and baggage claims.
