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Knoxville Airport

Welcome to McGhee Tyson Airport! This airport is 12 miles south of Knoxville, Tenn. It is named after a courageous Navy pilot who died in World War I, Charles McGhee Tyson, and is a shared airport for public and military use. It is the base for the 134th Air Refueling Wing of the Tennessee Air National Guard. It is a hub for multiple major airlines and has approximately 2,700 employees. And it’s only a half-hour drive to gorgeous Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Whether traveling for business or leisure, McGhee Tyson Airport has you covered for a hassle-free trip.

Live Air Traffic

Wellcome to McGhee Tyson Airport! This airport is 12 miles south of Knoxville, Tenn. It is a facility open to both civilian and military air traffic. We find major airlines from here. The airport is dedicated to a heroic Navy pilot named Charles McGhee Tyson. He died in World War I, which reminded me that McGhee Tyson Airport is actually home to the Air National Guard Base, too. The base is home to the 134th Air Refueling Wing. For lovers of nature, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is just a 30-minute drive. This airport is a major passenger hub with approximately 2,700 employees. Happy travels from McGhee Tyson Airport!

air Arrivals
air Departures

Basic information about airport

Airport code: KTYS
Type: large
Continent: NA
Country code: US
Country: United
City Knoxville
IATA: TYS
Longitude: -83.9940033
Latitude: 35.81100082

Knoxville Airport on Google Maps

metkaAirport Plaza
Today -3 °C / 26.6 °F
  • sunClear sky
  • humidityHumidity: 76
  • WindWind: 3.18 m/sec
Sun

-4 C / 24.8 °F

Mon

-2 C / 28.4 °F

Tue

-0 C / 32 °F

Wed

4 C / 39.2 °F

Thu

7 C / 44.6 °F

Great Smoky Mountains: Go via Knoxville Airport

Introduction

Knoxville, Tennessee is in the heart of East Tennessee, and its McGhee Tyson Airport (IATA: TYS) serves as an important transportation hub for this part of the country. Many people regularly fly through this medium-sized airport, named for U.S. Navy pilot Charles McGhee Tyson, to get closer to the natural beauty of The Great Smoky Mountains and a quick trip into metropolitan Knoxville.

Airlines and Destinations

Airlines: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines. It is also home to nearly 80 daily departures, including nonstop service from a total of over 20 destinations in the United States. New airport service will be offered in 2019 to some of the top destinations from TYS, including Atlanta, Charlotte, and Chicago, as well as Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) for travel with other Oneworld partners like British Airways.

Passenger Flights

A total of 2,835,773 passengers flew through McGhee Tyson Airport in all of 2023, making it the highest yearly number ever recorded at TYS since first opening its terminal doors. This figure far surpassed even what had been a record level during pre-pandemic levels just one year earlier - the airport served more than half-a-million additional travelers over those that passed through TYS last year (over 255,207 - most years). The airport's growth comes largely from new routes and a greater realization of Knoxville as a travel destination.

How to Get Here

Knoxville, Tennessee's McGhee Tyson Airport is about 14 miles south of the city center in Alcoa. The airport can also be reached by car at the intersection of several important highways, including I-40 and Interstate 75.

Parking

There are several parking options, for short-term (1-2 days) and long-term. However, since we were taking the flight only at 5 pm, this did not make much sense to us. The lot is partially covered, offering spaces in a garage with 7'2" clearance, and it runs $22 per day. A three- to five-minute walk from the terminal is more cost-effective. The Long Term Lot, a 10-minute walk from the terminal, is just $12 daily.

Transportation Prices

Travelers have several choices for transportation to and from McGhee Tyson Airport, each option at varying prices. Uber and Lyft rideshare services usually cost between $20-40 for one way, with cabs ranging from about $35 – 50. The airline also offers a free courtesy shuttle service to hotels close by.

Terminal Layout

Knoxville: McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) — The terminal consists of two main concourses. Concourse A is operated for Delta Air Lines, and all other airlines are served from Concourse B. Inside the terminal, you have restaurants, stores, and many other services that will make your departure ideal.

Navigate the Airport

Getting around McGhee Tyson Airport is easy thanks to the airport's digital terminal map. Besides indicating the gate at which travelers need to board, this guide also lets them check for nearby shops and restaurants.

Getting Between Terminals

Since the airport has a single-terminal layout, getting from Concourse A to Concourse B is simple. Passenger routing is straightforward — in fact, as a sign of our new air age (dominated by the hub/spoke model), the two well-signed concourses at PDX are now even linked simply and directly.

Services and Amenities

McGhee Tyson Airport provides an array of services and amenities that satisfy the needs of all travelers. These include free Wi-Fi, charging stations, ATMs, and dining options, as well as restaurants.

Restaurants and Shops

Whether you're very hungry or just a little, the airport has several options, including Calhoun's and Chesapeake's for local flavor, as well as familiar names such as Starbucks (no surprise there) and Chili's. There are also specialty shops, newsstands, and gift stores in the airport.

Security and Customs

McGhee Tyson has a Global Entry Enrollment Center for pre-approved, low-risk travelers to expedite their customs clearance upon arrival in the U.S. These new technologies are used for screening purposes through the security checkpoints at the airport.

Accessibility

McGhee Tyson Airport is dedicated to providing a convenient and pleasant experience for all travelers. It provides wheelchair-accessible pathways, elevators and restrooms, assistive listening devices, as well as doggy potty stations.

Travel Tips

Arrive at McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) two hours prior to departure with no parking hassles, just fantastic service! Also, try to consider the peak travel season of an airport, such as spring break and summer, which are generally much busier with more passengers flying in and out.