Before leaving home
Check your airline status, confirm carry-on size and remove prohibited items before they become a checkpoint problem.
TYS security planning
Security and TSA at Knoxville airport
The checkpoint is straightforward; the bigger variable is when several departures stack up at the same time.
The short answer
The busiest recurring TYS security windows are 5–7 a.m., 11 a.m.–1 p.m. and 4–6 p.m.
For most domestic trips, use two hours before departure as the baseline and add more buffer when parking, checking bags or flying during a peak period.
When is the Knoxville airport security line busiest?
5–7 a.m.
11 a.m.–1 p.m.
4–6 p.m.
TYS says multiple popular departures can concentrate thousands of travelers into these windows. That is why a relatively small terminal can still produce a long line at specific times.
A better checkpoint plan
If you are checking a bag
Your airport arrival target must include the airline counter or bag-drop deadline, not only the TSA line.
If you park in Economy C/G
Add shuttle time before your airport-arrival buffer. The economy shuttle generally runs about every 15 minutes.
If TYS posts a special advisory
Holiday, event or record-traffic advisories should override a generic two-hour rule for that travel date.
What time does security open?
The security checkpoint and airline ticket counters generally open about two hours before the first departure of the day.
The terminal itself stays open 24 hours, but an open building does not mean the checkpoint or airline counters operate 24/7.
Plan the rest of your departure
Busy-period guidance is based on TYS's current security-wait guidance.