Starting September 4, Allegiant Air will be offering non-stop flights from Memphis to Knoxville, a move likely to be well-received by those looking to skip the drive. The service will have flights operating on Thursdays and Sundays, providing an affordable and faster alternative for travel between the two Tennessee cities. According to a recent announcement from Allegiant, these could be as low as $39, although availability is limited on dates and seats. Interested travelers should book by May 21 for travel by Feb. 9, 2026, as mentioned on Local Memphis.
For the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority, the introduction of this route marks an expansion of options at Memphis International Airport. Officials have noted that Allegiant now flies nonstop to six destinations, including hot spots like Las Vegas and Orlando. With Allegiant celebrating their 10-year anniversary at MEM and having flown nearly two million passengers in and out, the addition is timely. "We are excited to see Allegiant expand its service here at MEM," Michael Keeney, Chairman of the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority Board of Commissioners, expressed in a statement obtained by Action News 5.
The new flight schedule shows flights departing Memphis at 8:49 p.m. CST and arriving in Knoxville at 11:08 p.m. EST, with the return flight leaving Knoxville at 7:35 p.m. EST and coming back in Memphis at 7:59 p.m. CST. The Knoxville route is a part of a broader expansion at Memphis International, which includes ten new flights launched or set to launch shortly from the hub. These range from airlines like Spirit to Breezeway and destinations from Austin to Providence, as detailed by The Commercial Appeal.
The service is tailored to serve a diverse clientele, including University of Tennessee students and alumni residing in Memphis. Allegiant's initiative reflects the ongoing efforts of regional carriers to bridge city pairs underserved by the major airlines, potentially reshaping the domestic travel patterns. As airline competition in Memphis heats up, travelers can anticipate more choices and potential savings on their journeys. Full details on the flight offerings and schedules can be accessed on Allegiant's official website.
