McGhee Tyson Airport (KTYS)
Large airport · Knoxville/Maryville, Tennessee, United States
Airport data
| Name | McGhee Tyson Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | KTYS |
| IATA | TYS |
| Elevation | 981 ft (299 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 35°48'40" W 83°59'38" 35.81100, -83.99400 |
| Location | Knoxville/Maryville, Tennessee, United States |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05L/23R | 10,000 ft (3048 m) | 150 ft | CON | Yes |
| 05R/23L | 9,000 ft (2743 m) | 150 ft | ASP | Yes |
McGhee Tyson Airport at a glance
McGhee Tyson Airport is a large airport in Knoxville/Maryville, Tennessee, United States, known to airline systems as TYS. The field elevation of 981 ft (299 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at KTYS are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
Of its 2 runways, the longest — 05L/23R — offers 10,000 ft (3048 m) of con surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 05L points roughly 50° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for KTYS shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to McGhee Tyson Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Western Carolina Regional Airport | KRHP | 69 km (37 NM) |
| Crossville Memorial Airport Whitson Field | KCSV | 100 km (54 NM) |
| Asheville Regional Airport | KAVL | 138 km (75 NM) |
| Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (Lovell Field) | KCHA | 139 km (75 NM) |
| London-Corbin Airport/Magee Field | KLOZ | 142 km (77 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for McGhee Tyson Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 981 ft field elevation of McGhee Tyson Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 917 airports and airfields we list for United States — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about McGhee Tyson Airport
What is the ICAO code of McGhee Tyson Airport?
The ICAO identifier of McGhee Tyson Airport is KTYS, and its IATA code is TYS. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is McGhee Tyson Airport above sea level?
McGhee Tyson Airport sits at an elevation of 981 feet (299 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is McGhee Tyson Airport located?
The airport lies at 35.8110, -83.9940 — in Knoxville/Maryville, Tennessee, United States, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Western Carolina Regional Airport, about 69 km away.
Does KTYS publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for KTYS appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at McGhee Tyson Airport?
McGhee Tyson Airport has 2 runways. The longest, 05L/23R, measures 10,000 ft (3048 m) with a CON surface.