Last Updated on July 25, 2026 by Daniel Globe
McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), commonly called Knoxville Airport, is the main commercial airport for Knoxville and East Tennessee. It sits about 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville in Alcoa. The airport opened in October 1937 and was named for Lt. Charles McGhee Tyson, a Knoxville aviator who died during World War I.
Quick Answer
McGhee Tyson Airport is served by Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. These carriers provide nonstop flights to more than 30 U.S. destinations. TYS does not currently list scheduled nonstop international service, so international trips require a connection.
Key Takeaways
- Seven passenger airlines are currently listed at TYS: Allegiant, American, Avelo, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, and United.
- American, Delta, and United connect Knoxville with major hubs for onward domestic and international travel.
- Allegiant, Avelo, Frontier, and Southwest provide low-fare or leisure-focused options on selected routes.
- Many TYS routes are seasonal or do not operate every day, so always confirm dates and frequency before booking.
- There are no scheduled nonstop international destinations on the airport’s current route list.
Airlines That Fly From Knoxville Airport
The official TYS nonstop-flight list shows service from seven passenger airlines. The table below summarizes the destinations currently listed by the airport. Route schedules can change, and some flights operate only during certain seasons or on selected days.
| Airline | TYS nonstop destinations currently listed | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Allegiant Air | Austin, Boston, Chicago-Midway, Denver, Destin/Fort Walton Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Houston-Hobby, Jacksonville, Key West, Las Vegas, Newark, Orlando International, Orlando-Sanford, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Punta Gorda, Sarasota/Bradenton, St. Petersburg/Tampa Bay, and Washington-Dulles | Leisure routes and low base fares |
| American Airlines | Charlotte, Chicago-O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, Philadelphia, and Washington-Reagan | Hub connections and business travel |
| Avelo Airlines | New Haven | Low-fare access to southern Connecticut |
| Delta Air Lines | Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, and New York-LaGuardia | Frequent hub connections and loyalty benefits |
| Frontier Airlines | Denver | Low-fare travel when the schedule fits |
| Southwest Airlines | Baltimore, Dallas-Love Field, Denver, Nashville, Orlando International, and Tampa | Point-to-point travel and Southwest connections |
| United Airlines | Chicago-O’Hare, Denver, Houston-George Bush, and Washington-Dulles | Hub access to the Midwest, West, Texas, and international networks |
Note: A route appearing on the airport’s list does not mean it operates every day or throughout the year. Check the airline’s booking calendar for your exact travel dates.
Major Network Airlines at Knoxville Airport
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines are the main network carriers at TYS. Their biggest advantage is access to large connecting hubs. A traveler can fly from Knoxville to a hub and continue on the same airline or one of its partners to cities across the United States and around the world.
American Airlines
American currently links TYS with Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago-O’Hare, Miami, Philadelphia, and Washington-Reagan. Charlotte and Dallas/Fort Worth are especially useful for connecting itineraries, while Miami can be helpful for some Caribbean and Latin American connections.
Delta Air Lines
Delta currently lists nonstop service from Knoxville to Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, and New York-LaGuardia. Atlanta is Delta’s largest connecting hub and often provides a wide range of onward options.
United Airlines
United currently serves Chicago-O’Hare, Denver, Houston-George Bush, and Washington-Dulles from TYS. These hubs provide broad domestic coverage and connections to many international routes.
Regional Airlines and Codeshare Flights at TYS
Names such as SkyWest Airlines, Republic Airways, PSA Airlines, and Endeavor Air may appear in flight details. These companies often operate regional aircraft on behalf of American, Delta, or United. Passengers normally book the flight through the major airline shown on the ticket, even when a regional partner operates the aircraft.
For example, a ticket may be sold as American Eagle, Delta Connection, or United Express. The operating carrier can affect the aircraft type, overhead-bin space, and onboard service, but check-in, loyalty credit, and most customer-service matters are generally handled through the airline that sold the ticket.
Pro Tip: Before choosing a flight, open the full itinerary and look for the words “operated by.” This tells you which airline will operate each segment and helps you anticipate aircraft size and carry-on space.
International Flights From Knoxville Airport
McGhee Tyson Airport’s current nonstop list contains U.S. destinations only. Air Canada and British Airways are not listed as passenger airlines serving TYS, and Allegiant’s listed Knoxville routes are domestic. Travelers going outside the United States must currently connect through another airport.
Common connecting gateways include Atlanta on Delta; Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, or Philadelphia on American; and Chicago-O’Hare, Houston, Denver, or Washington-Dulles on United. The best connection depends on the destination, schedule, fare, and required entry documents.
Warning: A domestic connection does not remove international-document requirements. Confirm passport validity, visa or entry rules, and any transit requirements before travel.
Low-Cost Airlines at Knoxville Airport
Allegiant, Avelo, Frontier, and Southwest provide lower-fare or leisure-focused choices at TYS. Their route networks and fare rules differ, so the lowest advertised fare is not always the lowest total trip cost.
Allegiant Air
Allegiant has the broadest leisure-route list at Knoxville, including many Florida destinations and selected routes to cities such as Austin, Boston, Las Vegas, Newark, Phoenix, and Washington-Dulles. Many Allegiant routes operate only a few times per week or seasonally.
Avelo Airlines
Avelo links Knoxville with New Haven, Connecticut. This route can be useful for travelers headed to southern Connecticut and parts of the New York metropolitan area when the operating days match their plans.
Frontier Airlines
Frontier is currently listed on the Knoxville-Denver route. Its fare structure may charge separately for items such as seat selection and bags, depending on the fare or bundle purchased.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest began Knoxville service on March 5, 2026. The airport’s current route page lists Baltimore, Dallas-Love Field, Denver, Nashville, Orlando International, and Tampa. Fare features and baggage rules can change, so compare the current terms shown during booking rather than relying on older policies.
What About Spirit Airlines?
Spirit Airlines is not on the airport’s current passenger-airline list. Fort Lauderdale and Las Vegas are available from Knoxville, but the current TYS route page assigns those nonstops to Allegiant Air.
Amenities and Airline Services at Knoxville Airport
All commercial passengers use the main terminal at TYS. Airport amenities include free Wi-Fi, charging outlets, food and retail options, service-animal relief areas, a lactation pod, ATMs, family restrooms, SmartCarts in baggage claim, and an information booth. The airport’s amenities and accessibility page provides current locations and operating details.
Wheelchair service and special assistance should be requested through the airline as early as possible. The airport also provides customer-service assistance during posted hours. Items left on an aircraft should be reported to the airline, while items lost inside the terminal are handled by the airport.
Onboard snacks, entertainment, seat selection, carry-on limits, and checked-bag fees vary by airline, fare type, aircraft, and flight length. Review the exact fare rules before paying, especially when comparing a basic or low-cost ticket with a standard economy fare.
TYS handled 3,630,410 passengers in 2025, the busiest year in the airport’s history.
Tips for Choosing the Right Airline at Knoxville Airport
Start With the Nonstop Route
A nonstop flight usually saves time and reduces the risk of a missed connection. Search by destination first, then compare the airlines that operate that route. Denver, Orlando, Philadelphia, and Washington-Dulles are examples of destinations served by more than one airline on the current TYS list.
Compare the Total Price
Add the cost of carry-on bags, checked bags, seats, priority boarding, changes, and cancellation terms. A higher base fare may be a better value when it includes services you would otherwise buy separately.
Check Frequency and Operating Days
A route that flies once or twice a week offers less flexibility than one with several daily departures. Frequency matters when weather, maintenance, or a missed connection disrupts a trip.
Evaluate the Connection
For connecting travel, compare the layover length, airport size, terminal change, and backup flights later that day. A very short connection can be risky, while an unusually long one can make the trip tiring.
Consider Loyalty and Credit-Card Benefits
Frequent-flyer status, airline credits, free checked bags, lounge access, or preferred seats can change the real value of a ticket. These benefits matter most when fares and schedules are otherwise similar.
Book Through a Reliable Channel
Booking directly with the operating airline can make schedule changes and customer service easier to manage. If you use a travel agency or third-party website, understand that the seller may control changes and refunds.
Pro Tip: Compare two itineraries side by side: the cheapest total price and the best schedule. The small fare difference may be worth paying when it avoids a connection, adds a backup flight, or includes the bags you need.
Travel-Day Tips for Flying From TYS
- Arrive early: TYS advises passengers to plan for about two hours before departure, especially during busy periods.
- Watch peak security times: The airport identified 5-7 a.m., 11 a.m.-1 p.m., and 4-6 p.m. as busy windows during summer 2026.
- Check the flight before leaving: Use the airline app or the airport’s live flight tracker for delays, gate changes, and cancellations.
- Confirm parking: Airport construction and high passenger volume can affect parking availability, so check the airport website before driving to TYS.
- Request accessibility help early: Contact the airline in advance for wheelchair service or other assistance.
- Review identification rules: Check current TSA identification and screening requirements before your trip.
The airport’s security wait-time guidance explains current peak periods and recommends allowing extra time when several flights depart close together.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts on Airlines at Knoxville Airport
McGhee Tyson Airport gives East Tennessee travelers a strong mix of network and low-fare airlines. American, Delta, and United offer useful hub connections, while Allegiant, Avelo, Frontier, and Southwest expand the range of nonstop and budget-focused choices.
The best airline depends on more than the ticket price. Compare nonstop availability, operating days, total fees, connection quality, and schedule flexibility. Because routes can change by season, use the official TYS nonstop-flight page and the airline’s booking system to confirm current service before making plans.
If you are planning a trip out of Knoxville and need new luggage, see this guide to softside carry-on luggage with wheels. Check your airline’s size and weight limits before choosing a bag.
Frequently Asked Questions
What airlines fly out of Knoxville Airport?
The current TYS passenger-airline list includes Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.
Which destinations can I fly to nonstop from Knoxville?
TYS lists more than 30 nonstop U.S. destinations, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, Nashville, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Tampa, and Washington, D.C. Some routes are seasonal or operate only on selected days.
Does Southwest Airlines fly from Knoxville?
Yes. Southwest began TYS service on March 5, 2026. The airport’s current nonstop list includes Southwest flights to Baltimore, Dallas-Love Field, Denver, Nashville, Orlando International, and Tampa.
Are there low-cost airlines at Knoxville Airport?
Yes. Allegiant, Avelo, Frontier, and Southwest offer low-fare or leisure-focused service at TYS. Compare the total cost after adding bags, seats, and other optional services.
Are there direct international flights from Knoxville?
No scheduled international destination appears on the airport’s current nonstop list. International travelers must connect through a hub such as Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago-O’Hare, Houston, Miami, or Washington-Dulles.
How early should I arrive at McGhee Tyson Airport?
Plan to arrive about two hours before departure. Allow more time during holidays, early-morning peaks, airport construction, or when checking bags and returning a rental car.
Sources
- McGhee Tyson Airport: Nonstop Flights — current airlines and listed nonstop destinations
- McGhee Tyson Airport: Frequently Asked Questions — airline roster, terminal hours, and passenger guidance
- McGhee Tyson Airport: About the Airport — location, history, passenger service, and airport background
- McGhee Tyson Airport: Amenities and Accessibility — Wi-Fi, charging, accessibility, family, and terminal services
- McGhee Tyson Airport: Southwest Service Announcement — March 5, 2026 launch date and initial route plan
- McGhee Tyson Airport: 2025 Air Service Record — 2025 passenger total and air-service growth