Knoxville airport code: TYS, KTYS and travel essentials
The passenger airport code for Knoxville is TYS, identifying McGhee Tyson Airport in Alcoa, Tennessee. For aviation procedures and pilot-facing systems, the airport appears as KTYS.
Airport-Guides.org is not McGhee Tyson Airport, the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority, FAA, TSA, an airline, parking operator or transportation company. Use this page to plan, then confirm live flight, parking, security and roadway conditions with the responsible official source.
McGhee Tyson Airport says the lane closest to the parking garage on the lower-level roadway is scheduled to remain closed through spring 2027 while a covered garage-to-terminal walkway is built. Allow extra time for arrivals pickup and follow current airport signs.
Airport live checks & travel tools
Use current local conditions, official live-status links and planning calculators before you travel. Airline gate, terminal and flight times can change; your carrier remains the final source for flight-specific details.
Live flight center
Check the airport's official flight board, then confirm any last-minute gate or timing change with the airline.
Current airport-area weather
Useful for planning your trip to the airport. This is model-based local weather, not an aviation METAR or an airline operational forecast.
Quick official checks
Open the source that matches the decision you are making right now.
When should I reach the airport?
A planning estimate based on flight type and common time buffers. Always increase the buffer for severe weather, major holidays, unusual airport alerts or airline instructions.
Connection-risk checker
This is a planning heuristic, not an airline minimum-connection-time rule. International arrivals that require U.S. entry processing, baggage claim and security can need substantially more time.
Parking cost estimator
Uses the airport-specific rates stored in this article's configuration. Rates can change; verify availability and final pricing on the official parking page before driving in.
Passenger pickup readiness
Landing time is not curb-ready time. Add time for taxiing, deplaning, baggage claim, customs when applicable and walking to the correct pickup zone.
What is the Knoxville airport code?
TYS is the three-letter airport code travelers use for McGhee Tyson Airport, the main commercial airport serving Knoxville and much of East Tennessee. It is the code you will normally see on airline booking sites, boarding passes, baggage tags and flight-status tools.
The airport is physically in Alcoa, Tennessee rather than downtown Knoxville. The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority says TYS is approximately 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville.
Why is Knoxville airport code TYS?
The airport is named for Lt. Charles McGhee Tyson, a Knoxville native and World War I aviator. The passenger code uses the “TYS” portion associated with the Tyson name rather than an abbreviation formed directly from “Knoxville.”
Knoxville airport vs Downtown Island Airport
Do not confuse TYS with DKX, Knoxville Downtown Island Airport. DKX is a separate general-aviation airport. Travelers booking normal commercial airline service to Knoxville generally need McGhee Tyson Airport and the code TYS.
Check these official TYS pages before leaving
An airport code is stable, but flights, parking occupancy, construction, airline schedules and pickup traffic can change quickly. These official pages are more useful than a static article for same-day decisions.
McGhee Tyson Airport terminal and security flow
TYS uses one main passenger terminal, so travelers do not need to transfer between separate commercial terminals. Ticketing and departures are on the upper level, while baggage claim, rental-car counters and passenger pickup are on the lower level.
Departing
Use the upper-level Departures/Ticketing area. Check in with your operating airline, complete bag drop if required, then continue through the TSA checkpoint to the concourse.
Arriving
Follow signs to the lower-level baggage claim. Rental-car counters and the information booth are also on the lower level.
Security checkpoint timing
The terminal itself is open 24 hours. The airport says airline ticket counters and the security checkpoint generally open about two hours before the first departure of the day. Early-morning passengers should not assume the checkpoint operates continuously overnight.
For prohibited items, identification rules and TSA PreCheck requirements, use TSA.gov rather than relying on a static airport article.
How to check Knoxville departures and airline service
Search TYS on the official McGhee Tyson Airport flight board when you need airport-wide arrivals or departures. For boarding passes, rebooking, seat changes, checked-bag rules and cancellation instructions, use the operating airline’s app or website.
Airline first
Use your operating airline for check-in, boarding and disruption handling.
TYS board second
Use the airport flight board for airport-wide status and pickup planning.
Verify the airport
Before paying, confirm that the itinerary says McGhee Tyson Airport and TYS.
The airport’s published airline mix changes as carriers add, suspend or seasonally adjust routes. Avoid planning around an old list; check the airport and airline directly for the date you intend to travel.
TYS parking rates and which lot fits your trip
McGhee Tyson Airport currently charges $1 for each 20 minutes until the applicable daily maximum. Economy Lot C and Economy Lot G increased to $13 per day effective July 1, 2026.
| Parking option | Published maximum | Terminal access | Useful for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage | $22/day | Short walk; covered parking | Fastest terminal access and weather protection |
| Terminal Lot B | $16/day | Walk to terminal | Travelers who prefer walking over a shuttle |
| Economy Lot C | $13/day | ADA-compliant shuttle about every 15 minutes | Lower daily cost when extra transfer time is acceptable |
| Economy Lot G | $13/day | Overflow economy shuttle when open | Overflow demand; check status before arrival |
| Phone & Wait Lot | Free | Behind the Airport Hilton | Waiting in your vehicle for an arriving passenger |
Parking details that matter
- The garage has a published height clearance of 7 feet 2 inches.
- Electric-vehicle charging spaces are available on the first level of the garage.
- Trailers, motorhomes, buses and oversized vehicles are not permitted in airport parking lots.
- For stays longer than 30 days or unusual vehicles, contact the parking operator before arrival.
Where to pick up or drop off passengers at TYS
Dropping someone off
Use the upper level at Departures/Ticketing. If you plan to go inside with the passenger, the airport identifies the parking garage as the most convenient nearby option.
Waiting for an arrival
Use the free Phone & Wait Lot behind the Airport Hilton. Stay with the vehicle until your passenger has collected baggage and is ready for pickup.
Picking the passenger up
Drive to the lower level at Arrivals/Baggage Claim after the traveler contacts you. Keep the curb moving; it is a pickup area rather than waiting parking.
Getting from TYS to Knoxville and East Tennessee
McGhee Tyson Airport does not operate an off-property airport shuttle. Travelers normally leave by rental car, Uber or Lyft, taxi, prearranged car service or a participating hotel shuttle.
Uber and Lyft
Ride-share pickup is outside on the lower level. After exiting the building, the airport says the pickup area is directly to the right.
Rental cars
Rental counters are on the lower level near baggage claim. Returns are on the first floor of the parking garage via Airport Loop Road.
Taxis and car services
The taxi pickup area is outside on the north side of the terminal and is accessible from baggage claim. The airport recommends advance reservations.
Hotel shuttles
Some nearby hotels operate their own airport shuttles. Confirm hours, eligibility and pickup instructions directly with the hotel before relying on the service.
Wheelchair help, family facilities and traveler services
Wheelchair assistance
Arrange airline wheelchair service in advance through the operating airline. Airport customer-service staff can also assist with vehicle-side requests during published service hours.
Service animals
Relief areas are available outside near the Airport Hilton and on the concourse past TSA screening.
Families
Family restrooms are near Gates 2 and 7. A Mamava lactation pod is on the concourse near Gate 7.
Connectivity
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal, along with charging points under seating in multiple areas.
Information booth
The information booth is on the first floor in baggage claim and provides airport and community assistance.
Language assistance
The airport says a multilingual translation phone is available at the lower-level information booth.
Accessibility arrangements can be passenger-specific. Contact the airline and airport early when you require mobility, medical-device, service-animal or accessible-ground-transport assistance.
Where is Knoxville airport code TYS located?
McGhee Tyson Airport is at 2055 Alcoa Highway, Alcoa, TN 37701. Although travelers commonly call it Knoxville Airport, the terminal is south of Knoxville in Alcoa and serves the wider East Tennessee region.
From Knoxville
The airport’s directions use I-40 West to Exit 386B for US 129 South / Alcoa Highway / Airport / Smoky Mountains, then continue toward the airport.
From Nashville or Chattanooga
Official directions route drivers via I-40 East to I-140, then toward US 129 South and the airport.
TYS vs other Tennessee airport codes
| Code | Airport | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| TYS | McGhee Tyson Airport | Main commercial airport serving Knoxville and East Tennessee |
| KTYS | McGhee Tyson aviation identifier | ICAO/aviation procedures, charts and weather systems |
| DKX | Knoxville Downtown Island Airport | Separate general-aviation airport |
| BNA | Nashville International Airport | Nashville, not Knoxville |
| TRI | Tri-Cities Airport | Northeast Tennessee / Southwest Virginia region |
For broader comparisons, see the U.S. airport codes guide, the airport codes by state, or the separate Nashville BNA airport guide.
Common TYS travel problems and what to do
Your flight is delayed
First: check the operating airline app. Then compare the airport’s official departure or arrival board. Rebooking authority usually sits with the airline.
You cannot find rideshare
Make sure you are on the lower level. The airport’s designated Uber/Lyft pickup area is outside and to the right after exiting.
Economy parking is taking longer
Allow for shuttle loading and waiting time. If schedule certainty matters more than price, compare the Garage or Terminal Lot B before arriving.
You left an item behind
Where the item was lost determines whom to contact. Items left on an aircraft usually go to the airline; terminal-property issues go through the airport’s lost-and-found process.
Knoxville airport code FAQs
What is the airport code for Knoxville, Tennessee?
The passenger airport code for Knoxville is TYS. It identifies McGhee Tyson Airport in Alcoa, Tennessee.
Is Knoxville airport code TYS?
Yes. TYS is the IATA code travelers normally use when booking commercial flights to or from Knoxville and East Tennessee.
What is KTYS?
KTYS is the ICAO identifier used for McGhee Tyson Airport in aviation procedures, charts, weather and operational systems. Normal passenger bookings use TYS.
Where is McGhee Tyson Airport?
The airport is at 2055 Alcoa Highway, Alcoa, TN 37701, approximately 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville.
How early should I arrive at TYS?
McGhee Tyson Airport currently recommends arriving at least two hours before a domestic departure and 2.5 hours before an international itinerary. Always check the operating airline’s own check-in and baggage deadlines.
How much is parking at Knoxville airport?
Current published daily maximums are $22 for Garage Parking, $16 for Terminal Lot B and $13 for Economy Lots C and G. Availability and operational status can change, so check the official parking page before driving to the airport.
Where do Uber and Lyft pick up at TYS?
Ride-share pickup is outside on the lower level of the terminal. After exiting the building, the designated pickup area is directly to the right.
Is there free waiting parking at TYS?
Yes. The Phone & Wait Lot behind the Airport Hilton is free for drivers waiting with their vehicle until an arriving passenger is ready for pickup.
Does TYS have U.S. customs?
No. McGhee Tyson Airport states that it is not an international airport and does not have a customs office.
Official sources for this Knoxville airport guide
Reviewed against official airport and FAA information in September 2026. Live flights, parking occupancy, airline schedules, security conditions, construction and transportation availability should always be rechecked immediately before travel.