Travelers hustling through McGhee Tyson Airport in Alcoa are getting a noticeably upgraded ride to their gates. The airport on Tuesday rolled out a refreshed concourse designed to cut down on crowding, boost seating, and give passengers more places to plug in, open a laptop, and get some work done. There is even a new post-security pet relief area, so Fido is no longer stuck pacing the terminal.
The changes are being billed as a low-impact first move in a longer-term effort to modernize the terminal as East Tennessee’s air traffic keeps climbing.
According to WBIR, the concourse refresh cranks up passenger capacity by about 65 percent. The gate areas now feature grouped seating clusters with built-in power, counter-height “cyber bars” tailored for laptop users, and a dedicated pet relief area on the secure side of the checkpoint. Airport officials told the station the overhaul is all about improving passenger flow and comfort without tearing the place up.
WVLT reported that McGhee Tyson was the fastest-growing major U.S. airport by percentage in 2024, with passenger traffic up roughly 18 percent. That growth spurt has put pressure on both seating and parking, and the latest concourse tweaks are arriving alongside longer-term projects like a multi-level parking garage and additional gates meant to keep up with demand.
What travelers will see
The upgraded gate areas are arranged into clusters instead of long, crowded rows, with accessible USB and AC outlets built right into the seats so travelers can charge phones and laptops without hunting for a wall plug. The new “cyber bars” add counter-height workstations with charging options for anyone trying to squeeze in a few emails before boarding, according to the airport’s amenities listing on FlyKnoxville.
That same listing notes a post-security pet relief area, sparing travelers with animals from exiting and re-clearing security, along with updated terminal wayfinding meant to speed up connections and make it a little harder to get turned around between gates.
What's next
Airport leaders say this concourse refresh is an early, low-disruption step ahead of the heavier construction phases tied to the airport authority’s Flight Plan. WVLT reports the authority is moving ahead with a new parking garage and more gates over the next few years, projects aimed at giving the airport enough room to handle additional carriers and new routes.
Anyone flying through TYS this spring should spot the fresh seating, cyber bars, and pet pit stop without much effort. Airport officials suggest checking the airport’s website for real-time parking information, terminal maps, and service updates. For official details, visit FlyKnoxville.
