Living in Knoxville Video Guide
Is the Knoxville Airport (McGhee Tyson, TYS) Easy to Fly Out Of?
Yes. When we flew out of McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) at 8:15 in the morning, we got through security in about two to three minutes. The airport offers several parking options, has rental car counters right in the terminal and now has Southwest Airlines. There are no international flights yet, so those trips connect through larger airports like Atlanta.
Key facts
- Parking: Several options, from the parking garage to the terminal lot to the economy lot. The airport posts real-time parking availability online, so check before you leave on a busy travel day.
- Garage expansion: A new parking garage is under construction and the airport expects it to be finished in summer 2027.
- Security checkpoint: McGhee Tyson announced in June 2026 that it will receive federal funding for a major expansion of the TSA checkpoint.
- More gates: Additional gates are coming, giving airlines more flexibility and room for future routes.
- Arrival time: The airport recommends arriving two hours before departure during peak times.
- Rental cars: Counters are in the terminal, so there is no shuttle required.
- Airlines: Southwest Airlines now flies out of TYS.
The honest downside
The honest downside is that Knoxville still does not have international flights. If you want to go to Mexico, Europe or the Caribbean, you will need a connection through a bigger airport like Atlanta or Charlotte.
Our take is that this still beats living near a big-city airport. We can drive a few minutes, park for cheap, walk into a small airport, fly to Atlanta, make about a one-hour layover and be on the way. You skip the major city TSA lines on the way out.
Parking has been one of the biggest pain points as the airport has grown. A large garage expansion is under construction to add much more parking capacity.
Video chapters
- 0:00 Is the Knoxville airport actually good?
- 0:37 Parking at McGhee Tyson (summer 2026 rates)
- 1:08 The parking garage expansion
- 1:25 TSA security checkpoint expansion
- 1:46 Walking through security at 8:15 AM (real footage)
- 2:14 More gates coming to TYS
- 2:57 How early should you arrive?
- 3:01 Renting a car when you land in Knoxville
- 3:35 Landing after midnight? Here's what to do
- 3:57 Southwest Airlines comes to Knoxville
- 4:25 The honest downside
- 4:40 Why a 1-hour Atlanta layover still beats a big-city airport
- 5:02 Ready to make Knoxville home?
Frequently asked questions
How early should I get to the Knoxville airport?
The airport currently recommends arriving two hours before your scheduled departure. Early mornings can be especially busy because so many flights leave in a short window.
How long is the TSA line at McGhee Tyson Airport?
When we went through at 8:15 in the morning, there was basically nobody in line and we were through in about two to three minutes. Lines can build during peak travel times, which is why the checkpoint is being expanded.
Does the Knoxville airport have international flights?
Not yet. For Mexico, Europe or the Caribbean you connect through a larger airport. We fly to Atlanta, have about a one-hour layover and continue on.
Does Southwest fly out of Knoxville?
Yes. Southwest Airlines has joined McGhee Tyson Airport, which opens up more destinations for people who live here and for travelers loyal to Southwest.
Can I rent a car at the Knoxville airport?
Yes. The rental car counters are downstairs inside the terminal, so there is no shuttle to an offsite lot. If you land after midnight and they are closed, our clients have used Uber and picked up the rental car in the morning.
Thinking about moving to the Knoxville area?
Book a free Zoom consultation with the Living in Knoxville team, or grab our free guide to the 7 mistakes relocation buyers make. We help people relocate to East Tennessee every day.
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