Accessibility

Knoxville (TYS) Airport Accessibility & Wheelchair Services

Wheelchair assistance at McGhee Tyson Airport is provided free by your airline — request it at booking for best results. For security screening help, call TSA Cares at 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before travel to have a Passenger Support Specialist waiting at the checkpoint. Family lanes, service animal relief areas, and sensory rooms are covered below.

Airline-provided service

Wheelchair assistance

Request wheelchair assistance through your airline when booking or at check-in, or notify an airport Customer Service Representative or curbside traffic officer directly; representatives are available for wheelchair and other assistance daily from 5am–7pm (call 865-342-3180).

Tip: request at booking rather than at the airport — airline wheelchair assistants are in higher demand at peak times and early requests are filled first.

TSA Cares

Free security screening assistance

TSA Cares is a free helpline and on-site assistance program for travelers with disabilities, medical conditions, or other circumstances that may affect the security screening process.

How to use: Call 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before travel. A Passenger Support Specialist will meet you at the TYS security checkpoint and guide you through screening at no charge.

Call the TSA Cares helpline at 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before you travel, or submit a request at tsa.gov/travel/passenger-support, and a Passenger Support Specialist can meet you at either of TYS's two checkpoints to assist through screening.

Security lanes

TYS does not have a permanently signed dedicated family lane at all checkpoints. Ask any TSA agent at the checkpoint for assistance — agents are trained to help travelers with special needs and can route you around standard queue lines.

Service animal relief areas

Designated relief areas are outside on the lower level near the Hilton Knoxville Airport, and past the TSA checkpoint on the concourse.

Note: service animals are permitted throughout all airport areas without restriction. Emotional support animals follow individual airline policies — check with your carrier before travel.

Quiet and sensory room

TYS does not currently have a confirmed public sensory room. TYS does not have a dedicated sensory or quiet room. Travelers who need a calmer space can call the ADA Coordinator at 865-342-3001 ahead of travel, or ask airport Customer Service (865-342-3180) about a lower-stimulation route through the terminal; TSA Cares can also arrange accommodated screening.

Wheelchair and mobility device rentals

No on-site wheelchair or mobility-scooter rental company is advertised at TYS. Airline-provided wheelchair escort service (arranged at booking or via airport Customer Service, 865-342-3180) covers most travelers' needs at this small single-terminal airport.

Motorized scooters and power wheelchairs are generally available from airlines for gate-to-gate use; contact your carrier directly if you need a motorized device beyond a standard transport chair.

Pro Tip

TYS is a compact 12-gate, single-terminal airport — once through either of the two checkpoints, every gate is a short walk away, so mobility demands here are far lighter than at a major hub. The main thing to plan ahead for is requesting wheelchair help early (with your airline or by calling 865-342-3180), since there's no airport-run mobility-rental counter to fall back on.

Frequently asked questions

Is wheelchair assistance free at TYS airport?

Yes — wheelchair assistance at TYS is provided free of charge by your airline or their contracted ground handler. Request it at booking or check-in. The airline arranges and covers the cost; no tipping is required, though it is appreciated.

How do I contact TSA Cares before my flight from TYS?

Call TSA Cares at 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before your flight. The helpline is open weekdays 8 a.m.–11 p.m. ET and weekends/holidays 9 a.m.–8 p.m. ET. You can also submit a request online at tsa.gov/contact-center/form/cares. A Passenger Support Specialist will meet you at the TYS security checkpoint at no cost.

Does TYS airport have a family security lane?

McGhee Tyson Airport does not have a permanently signed dedicated family lane at all checkpoints, but TSA officers are trained to accommodate travelers who need extra time. TYS does not advertise a separately signed family or special-assistance security lane at either of its two checkpoints; ask any TSA officer for accompanied or expedited screening if you need it.

Where is the service animal relief area at TYS airport?

Designated relief areas are outside on the lower level near the Hilton Knoxville Airport, and past the TSA checkpoint on the concourse. Service animals are permitted throughout all airport areas without restriction. Emotional support animals follow your individual airline's policies.

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