The 4 Busiest Airports in Tennessee, Ranked

Tennessee, home to hot chicken, country music, and whiskey, is also home to four busy airports. The largest cities in Tennessee are Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga, and unsurprisingly, the population of these cities is inevitably linked to the busyness of their airports. Let’s rank the four busiest airports in Tennessee and cover some of the most popular routes at each airport. 

1. Nashville International Airport (BNA)

Unsurprisingly, Nashville has the largest and busiest airport in Tennessee. Nestled in the heart of Music City, BNA welcomes more than 17 million passengers annually. The airport has 22 airlines, and between major carriers and regional partners, BNA sees more than 585 daily flights. BNA provides nonstop flights to Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, and London, just to name a few places. Nashville’s airport continues to add more routes yearly, especially as the airport has seen expansion in recent years. 

Even more, the millions of guests who traverse the airport have the opportunity to experience live music. There are six performances located in the terminal each year. BNA is not only the busiest airport in Tennessee, but it is also the one to give visitors a taste of Nashville while they come in and out of the state. 

Location: Nashville International Airport is located eight miles from downtown Nashville. 

2. Memphis International Airport (MEM)

Memphis is located approximately three hours southwest of Nashville, and it is where you will find the Memphis International Airport (MEM). Home to Elvis Presley’s Graceland, MEM is the second busiest airport in Tennessee. The airport sees less traffic than BNA with nearly 140,000 passengers passing through monthly and over two million passengers annually. MEM is also home to the world’s largest cargo airline, FedEx. While MEM might not see the number of visitors as BNA, the cargo hub certainly makes up for it.

Memphis International Airport came on the scene in 1929, when it was initially three hangars and a sod field runway. By 1938, a modern terminal was built. In recent years, MEM modernized the concourse, prioritizing natural light and adding more dining options. Although MEM offers very few international flights, the airport offers a solid number of domestic flights, despite its size. 

Location: Memphis International Airport is located 10 miles from Downtown Memphis. 

3. McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)

McGhee Tyson Airport has seen exponential growth in recent years. With more people moving to Knoxville, the airport aims to build an additional terminal and parking garage to accommodate the influx of visitors, students, and new residents in Knoxville and surrounding areas. TYS currently has five airlines, but with the pending expansion, the airport intends to add more airlines and more flights. Currently, TYS offers direct flights to Atlanta, Boston, Austin, and Washington D.C., to name a few. TYS currently sees about two million passengers annually.

Location: McGhee Tyson Airport is located about 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville in Alcoa, Tennessee. It’s also approximately 40 miles from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

4. Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA)

Last but not least is the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport. Chattanooga is about two hours south of Knoxville, and the city is slightly smaller than Knoxville. This airport sees the least number of visitors in comparison to the other three airports on this list. In total, the airport has about 400,000 visitors annually. As of October 2023, CHA has had 166 routes serving five countries. CHA services 40 airlines at present. However, because this airport is so small, getting through security can often be time-consuming, making the airport feel busier than it actually is.

Location: Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport is located approximately two miles from downtown Chattanooga. 

Airports in Tennessee

The busiest airports in Tennessee are directly associated with the population of the cities the airports serve. Each of these airports acts as a gateway for the respective city, ensuring economic development. Whether you’re visiting the music scene in Nashville or the Great Smoky Mountains near Knoxville, you’ll pass through an airport with a great deal of foot traffic. If you’re planning to visit the Volunteer State, the busiest airports in Tennessee are ready to welcome you!

Summary of the 4 Busiest Airports in Tennessee, Ranked