Southwest Airlines launched its first flights from McGhee Tyson Airport near Knoxville, Tennessee, on March 5, marking the end of a years-long effort to bring the low-cost carrier to the region. The inaugural arrival from Nashville was celebrated by state leaders, including Governor Bill Lee. Initial routes connect Knoxville to Baltimore, Dallas, Nashville, and Orlando, with more destinations planned.
Southwest Airlines began operations at McGhee Tyson Airport on March 5, with an arrival from Nashville followed by a departure to Orlando at 1:20 p.m. The event highlighted the airport's growth, as leaders including Governor Bill Lee, Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally, and Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton attended the ceremony. A Southwest plane featuring a Tennessee tri-star paint job was greeted with water cannons and the University of Tennessee mascot, Smokey.
The airport, located in Alcoa about a dozen miles from Knoxville, has pursued Southwest for decades. Jim Evans, vice president of marketing for the airport board, noted that discussions began nearly 20 years ago. "The time has always been right for us," Evans said. "We’ve been waiting for them."
This addition brings the total number of airlines at McGhee Tyson to seven, including Allegiant, American, Avelo, Delta, Frontier, and United. Avelo started service in May 2024, the first new carrier in over a decade. Southwest's initial offerings include two daily flights to Nashville, with seasonal service to Denver, and routes to Austin starting in October and Tampa forthcoming.
The airport was named the nation's fastest-growing major airport in 2024, with passenger traffic up about 45% over the past three years. A new $197.4 million parking garage reflects the surge, driven partly by tourism to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and growth in institutions like the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Airport authority President Patrick Wilson stated, "Our population growth ... continues to be strong. All of that says a lot about this region. It's a place that companies and people want to move to − to do business and to live."
Southwest's senior vice president of network planning, Adam Decaire, emphasized partnership: "We just don't serve communities, we partner with them. We want to continue to grow them." The airport now offers direct flights to more than 30 U.S. cities.
