You Asked, Experts Answer: 20+ Q&As about Air Travel & TYS

Episode Description

Travelers have a lot of questions these days about what to expect at the airport and when onboard an airplane. In this episode, we answer 20+ of those frequently asked questions. We don’t just answer them— we take a deep dive into the questions with six different airport experts. From new flights, to runway construction, the REAL ID deadline, and updated concessionaire hours, you’ll learn it all after listening to these quick interviews.

Guest in this Episode

Alan Jones, Director of Administration and DBE Liaison Officer for the MKAA

Pamela Cotham, Assistant Purchasing Agent and Small Business & Diversity Outreach Manager for the City of Knoxville

Jennifer Giffin, Director of Airport Operations

Bryan White, Vice President of Engineering & Planning

Dave Schroth, Properties Risk Manager

Becky Huckaby, Vice President of Public Relations

Mentioned in this Episode

Allegiant Air offers nonstop service to Punta Gorda.
Pre-pandemic at TYS: 28 nonstop destinations– currently have 24 nonstop destinations
Pre-pandemic at TYS: three years of consecutive passenger growth– current passenger numbers are down approximately 55%
Predicting a little under 1 million annual passengers in 2020, compared to 2.5 million passengers in 2019
Allegiant Air offers nonstop service to Boston.
Differences between the Short Term, Long Term, and Economy Parking Lots
Taxi Companies available at TYS
Hand sanitizing stations are available at every gate and restroom at TYS.
Complimentary masks are available at the Information Booth in Baggage Claim.
Runway Construction Project Completion Date: (no later than) September/October 2021
Rental Cars available at TYS
Current Concessionaire hours:
- Ruby Tuesday’s:
  - 7am-7pm (or last departing flight) daily
- Starbucks:
  - Monday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday: 4:30am-6:00pm
  - Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday: 4:30am-12:00pm
- Quizno’s:
  - Monday: closed
  - Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday: 8:00am-3:00pm
  - Thursday, Sunday: 6:00am-6:00pm
  - Friday: 8:00am-6:00pm
- Tennessee Marketplace (post-security gift shop):
  - 4:30am-8:30pm (or last departing flight) daily
- Smoky Mountain Travel Mart (pre-security gift shop):
  - Monday, Friday, Sunday: 9:00am-4:00pm
- Cinnabon and Pizzeria Uno are currently closed
Ruby Tuesday’s recent bankruptcy announcement is not currently impacting operations at TYS.
State air travel restrictions
Donations put in the donations box beside the bear in front of the fountain benefit Friends of the Smokies.
REAL ID Deadline: October 1, 2021
- Learn more about REAL ID from our previous podcast episode