Tennessee, in the south-central region of the United States, is home to more than six million residents, according to a 2008 U.S. Census estimate. The state offers four major, commercial airports, dotted throughout the state. The largest of these is Nashville International Airport in north-central Tennessee, but Memphis in the west, Knoxville in the east and Chattanooga in the south-central region also have busy airports.
Nashville International Airport, located on the east side of the city, opened in 1937. As of January 2011, the facility serves nearly 10 million passengers annually and offers 346 daily flights to 62 markets. Nashville International Airport hosts 11 commercial passenger airlines, including American Airlines, Continental Airlines and Delta. The airport offers wireless Internet access in all areas frequented by the public.
Opened in 1927, Memphis International Airport sits on 3,900 acres in southwest Memphis, about nine miles from downtown. The four-runway, three-terminal facility served more than nine million passengers in 2009, according to airport statistics. Ten airlines operate at Memphis International Airport, including American Airlines, US Airways and Delta, for which the airport is a hub.
McGhee Tyson Field, located 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville, is the premier airport in eastern Tennessee. The two-runway facility, which sits on 2,000 acres, is served by seven airlines, including Continental Airlines, Delta and United Airlines. The airport offers more than 120 arrivals and departures daily to 21 non-stop destinations.
Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport is located five miles from downtown Chattanooga, in southeastern Tennessee. The two-runway facility hosts nine commercial airlines, including Northwest, Allegiant Air and USAir Express, which fly to eight non-stop destinations, among these are Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago and Dallas. The Chattanooga airport served nearly 600,000 commercial passengers in 2010, according to airport statistics.
