Lower level
Baggage claim and arrivals are on the lower level. Uber and Lyft pickup is outside the terminal, directly to the right as you exit. A service animal relief area is near the lower-level exit by the Airport Hilton.
McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)
Knoxville/Maryville, Tennessee KTYS #80 US airport by passengers
McGhee Tyson Airport is about 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, in the Alcoa area. The airport serves Knoxville, Maryville and the surrounding East Tennessee region.
- FAA status
- No delays reported Updated 11 min ago
- Weather now
- VFR 56°F Observed 48 min ago
- Late departures
- 23.6%May 2026 to July 2026
- Security line
- No recent reportsAdd yours
TYS at a glance
TYS is a single terminal on two levels. Baggage claim and rideshare pickup are on the lower level, while ticket counters, the security checkpoint and departures are on the upper level. Free Wi-Fi covers the terminal.
Every on-airport lot charges $1 for every 20 minutes until its daily maximum. The garage is $22 per day, Terminal Lots A and B are $16 per day, and Economy Lots C and G are $13 per day, which rose to $13 on July 1, 2026.
Security wait times are the biggest variable right now. A September 2026 TSA equipment problem left the checkpoint with three of four machines running, so the airport advises arriving 2.5 hours before departure, or three hours during peak periods.
Main airlines: Six airlines offer nonstop flights to more than 30 destinations from TYS, according to the airport. Southwest began service in March 2026 with nonstop flights to Nashville, Baltimore, Dallas and Orlando.
FAA delay status for TYS
The FAA is not reporting a ground stop, ground delay program or other delay at TYS right now.
Source: FAA National Airspace System Status, checked 11 min ago. Airline-specific delays are not shown here.
Current conditions at TYS
VFR
56°F13°C
Good visibility and high cloud base. Normal operations are typical.
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 10+ mi
- Clouds
- SCT 10,000 ft, OVC 25,000 ft
- Ceiling
- 25,000 ft
- Pressure
- 30.32 inHg
METARMETAR KTYS 010853Z 00000KT 10SM SCT100 OVC250 13/10 A3032 RMK AO2 SLP261 T01330100 58003 $
Source: NOAA Aviation Weather Center. Observed 48 min ago.
Full weather, TAF, forecast and runways →
On-time performance at TYS
Based on 3,988 departures from May 2026 to July 2026. A flight counts as late when it leaves 15 or more minutes after schedule.
23.6%Departures late
31.7%Arrivals late
1.69%Cancelled
23.4 minAverage departure delay
| Airline | Departures | Late |
|---|---|---|
| Allegiant Air | 912 | 28.2% |
| PSA Airlines | 678 | 19.5% |
| Southwest Airlines | 534 | 27.2% |
| Delta Air Lines | 483 | 14.1% |
| SkyWest Airlines | 464 | 25.9% |
| American Airlines | 419 | 29.8% |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, On-Time Performance of reporting carriers. Smaller regional carriers and some airlines are not included.
Late departures by month
Terminals
Upper level
Airline ticket counters and the departures area are on the upper level. Check in here, since a boarding pass or e-ticket is required to pass through security. The taxi pickup area is on the north side of the terminal, accessible from baggage claim.
Checkpoint
The TSA checkpoint has four lanes. The airport has a $10 million grant-funded project planned to expand it to six lanes, with the option to grow to eight, beginning late 2026 or early 2027.
Gates and concourse
Gates and the food court are past the checkpoint. Food concessions and retail are available past security, and a private Mamava pod is past the checkpoint to the right. The airport has an ATM before security, and a TN State Bank ATM is just past security.
Moving between terminals
TYS has one terminal, so everything after security is in one area. Access beyond the checkpoint is limited to ticketed passengers, except in special circumstances arranged through the airline.
Getting to and from TYS
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Rideshare
Uber and Lyft
Pickup is outside the terminal on the lower level, directly to the right as you exit the doors. The airport recommends booking ahead, since rideshares may not be available during off-peak hours.
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Taxi
Licensed taxis
The taxi pickup area is on the north side of the terminal and is accessible from baggage claim. The airport recommends reserving a taxi in advance. Licensed companies listed by the airport include AAA Taxi, Benchmark Taxi, Lightning Taxi, Omega Taxi and Royal Taxi.
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Rental car
Rental cars
Rental car services operate at the airport. My sources did not list the counter locations in detail, so check the airport's rental car information before you arrive.
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Hotel shuttle
Hotel shuttles
The airport does not run an off-property shuttle. Several hotels near the airport provide their own shuttles, including Hilton Knoxville Airport, Tru by Hilton and Comfort Suites.
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Private
Limousine and charter services
Licensed charter and limousine companies listed by the airport include Chariots of Hire and Olympus Car & Coach.
Tips for TYS
- Plan 2.5 to 3 hours at TYS, especially during the morning and late afternoon peaks.
- Economy Lot C at $13 per day is the lowest-cost lot with a shuttle, while Terminal Lot A is the closest surface lot at $16.
- Confirm hotel shuttle hours before booking. Tru by Hilton runs 5 a.m. to midnight, and La Quinta runs 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- For an early flight, the Hilton Knoxville Airport is connected to the terminal by a covered walkway, so you can stay close to the terminal the night before.
- Schedule Uber or Lyft rides in advance, since availability can be limited during off-peak hours.
Frequently asked questions
How much does parking cost at TYS?
Every on-airport lot charges $1 for every 20 minutes until its daily maximum. The garage is $22 per day, Terminal Lots A and B are $16 per day, and Economy Lots C and G are $13 per day. Live availability is posted on flyknoxville.com.
Is there free Wi-Fi at TYS?
Yes. The airport provides free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal, with plug-in stations to charge devices.
Does TYS have a lounge?
No. TYS has no Priority Pass lounge, airline club, pay-per-use lounge or USO facility, according to the airport FAQ and third-party guides.
Is the TYS terminal open overnight?
The terminal is open 24 hours a day, but security and ticket counters open about two hours before the first departure. TSA checkpoints close overnight after the last departing flight.
How early should I arrive at TYS?
The airport advises arriving 2.5 hours before departure, or 3 hours during peak periods from 5 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. due to recent equipment problems at the checkpoint.
Does TYS have TSA PreCheck and CLEAR?
TSA PreCheck is available, but during equipment problems it may be merged with the general lanes. I did not confirm a CLEAR lane at TYS.
Where do Uber and Lyft pick up at TYS?
Outside the terminal on the lower level, directly to the right as you exit the doors.
Are there hotels near TYS with shuttles?
Yes. Hilton Knoxville Airport is on airport property and connected to the terminal by a covered walkway, with a complimentary shuttle. Tru by Hilton, Comfort Suites, Hampton Inn, La Quinta and Fairfield Inn also offer airport shuttles, with service hours that vary. Confirm times with each hotel.
Does the airport run a shuttle to off-airport hotels or downtown Knoxville?
No. The airport does not offer an off-property shuttle or public bus service. Travelers use taxis, rideshares, rental cars or hotel shuttles.
Can I store luggage at TYS?
No. Left-luggage storage and baggage lockers are not available at the airport because of TSA security regulations.
How busy is TYS?
About 1,786,752 passengers boarded flights at McGhee Tyson Airport in 2025, according to FAA enplanement data. That ranks it number 80 among US airports.
How often are flights late at TYS?
Over May 2026 to July 2026, 23.6% of departures at TYS left 15 or more minutes late, and 1.69% of flights were cancelled (Bureau of Transportation Statistics).
Guide content last reviewed October 9, 2026. Report a correction