Airline ticket counters
Check bags and handle airline counter needs on the upper departure level before entering security.
TYS terminal navigation
Knoxville Airport terminal guide
TYS is easier when you remember one thing: departures are upstairs; arrivals are downstairs.
The short answer
Go upstairs to leave. Go downstairs to arrive.
The upper level handles departures, ticketing and TSA. The lower level handles arrivals, baggage claim, rental cars and the information booth.
Upper level: where your trip starts
TSA security checkpoint
The main security checkpoint is on the departure level. It generally opens about two hours before the first departure of the day.
Pre-security retail
Smoky Mountain Travelmart is on the second level before the checkpoint; hours can follow the flight schedule.
After security
Gates, most food concessions, charging, the Mamava lactation pod and an indoor service-animal relief area are beyond the checkpoint.
Lower level: arrivals and ground transportation
Baggage claim
Arriving passengers collect checked luggage on the lower level.
Rental cars
Rental-car counters are near baggage claim; returns are on the first floor of the parking garage.
Information booth
First floor in baggage claim; staffed daily from 9 a.m.–5 p.m..
Pickup and rideshare
Passenger pickup and rideshare are outside on the lower level.
Gate numbers changed in 2026
TYS began a phased gate renumbering and expansion in September 2026 as part of adding a 13th gate.
Because gate renumbering happened recently, do not rely on an old screenshot or memory from a prior trip. Use your current boarding pass, airline app and airport signage.
Keep planning inside TYS
Terminal locations are based on the current official TYS terminal map.