TYS

Best window seat at Mc Ghee Tyson

Which side of the plane?

Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

Taking offLEFT

Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee River valley, Knox County urban sprawl

LandingLEFT

Tennessee River, the parallel ridges of the Appalachian foothills to the southeast, downtown Knoxville's urban grid in the middle distance to the south

🛫 Taking Off from Knoxville (TYS)

Best sideLeft
WhyDepartures from TYS typically use runway 23R heading southwest. From the left side, you'll see the Great Smoky Mountains rising along the southern and eastern horizon as the aircraft climbs. The right side offers only the relatively flat terrain of East Tennessee extending northwestward, which is less visually distinctive.
Look forGreat Smoky Mountains (distant ridgeline to the south/southeast), Tennessee River valley (visible as a darker linear feature in middle distance), Knox County urban sprawl (grid pattern below during initial climb), Knoxville downtown area (small cluster visible briefly to the left during early departure)

🛬 Landing at Knoxville (TYS)

Best sideLeft
WhyRunway 05L approaches from the northeast, and the left side offers views of the Tennessee River valley and the ridge-and-valley topography that defines the approach corridor. You'll see the Smoky Mountains rising to the southeast as you descend, providing excellent geographic context for the landing.
Look forTennessee River (visible as a winding waterway in the valley below), the parallel ridges of the Appalachian foothills to the southeast, downtown Knoxville's urban grid in the middle distance to the south, and the Great Smoky Mountains appearing as a distant blue ridge on the southeastern horizon

McGhee Tyson is a mid-sized regional airport with a single terminal serving East Tennessee, offering nonstop service to major hub cities via legacy and low-cost carriers.

⛰️ Elevation984 ft
🛫 Runways2 (05L/23R, 05R/23L)
📍 NearbyAVL 86 miCHA 87 mi

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About This Airport

Which side of the plane has the best views at Mc Ghee Tyson (TYS)?

At Mc Ghee Tyson in Knoxville: for takeoff, sit on the Left side; for landing, sit on the Left side. Notable views include: Great Smoky Mountains (distant ridgeline to the south/southeast), Tennessee River valley (visible as a darker linear feature in middle distance), Knox County urban sprawl (grid pattern below during initial climb), Knoxville downtown area (small cluster visible briefly to the left during early departure).

What can I see during takeoff from Mc Ghee Tyson in Knoxville?

When taking off from Mc Ghee Tyson (TYS), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departures from TYS typically use runway 23R heading southwest. From the left side, you'll see the Great Smoky Mountains rising along the southern and eastern horizon as the aircraft climbs. The right side offers only the relatively flat terrain of East Tennessee extending northwestward, which is less visually distinctive. Notable sights include: Great Smoky Mountains (distant ridgeline to the south/southeast), Tennessee River valley (visible as a darker linear feature in middle distance), Knox County urban sprawl (grid pattern below during initial climb), Knoxville downtown area (small cluster visible briefly to the left during early departure).

What can I see when landing at Mc Ghee Tyson in Knoxville?

When landing at Mc Ghee Tyson (TYS), sit on the Left side for the best views. Runway 05L approaches from the northeast, and the left side offers views of the Tennessee River valley and the ridge-and-valley topography that defines the approach corridor. You'll see the Smoky Mountains rising to the southeast as you descend, providing excellent geographic context for the landing. Notable sights include: Tennessee River (visible as a winding waterway in the valley below), the parallel ridges of the Appalachian foothills to the southeast, downtown Knoxville's urban grid in the middle distance to the south, and the Great Smoky Mountains appearing as a distant blue ridge on the southeastern horizon.

What factors affect the best window seat at Mc Ghee Tyson?

The best window seat at Mc Ghee Tyson (TYS) depends on several factors: the typical runway used for your departure or arrival, the geographic features around Knoxville (mountains, coastlines, city skylines), weather conditions, and time of day. Morning and evening flights often offer the best lighting for scenic views.