Going to Las Vegas soon? Your plane is very likely going to touch down at the Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), also known as the McCarran International Airport. As the sole airport in the Las Vegas Valley, it receives millions of visitors every year, who come either for pleasure or to attend conferences or conventions. In 2025 alone, there were almost 55 million passengers.
This passenger guide provides all the information that you need before flying. Here, we will cover the history of the airport, its terminals, airlines, destinations, parking, ground transport, and development plans. Whatever you plan to visit Las Vegas for, this guide will help you get through Harry Reid hassle-free and make your first day in Vegas absolutely easy-going.
Overview Of Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
LAS is the only international airport operating within the Las Vegas Valley area. It is located approximately 5 miles from the heart of Las Vegas, near the southern end of the Strip. LAS is controlled by the Clark County Department of Aviation and spans an area of around 2,800 acres with four runways.
The origin of LAS is that of Alamo Field, which was created in 1942 by flight instructor George Crockett. Later on, it was named for Senator Pat McCarran. On 17th December 2021, the Clark County Commission changed its name in memory of the late Senator Harry Reid of Nevada.
Key Facts at a Glance:
The following is a brief overview of the key information regarding this airport. Use it to get your bearings before reading further.
- Airport Codes: LAS (IATA), KLAS (ICAO)
- Owner/Operator: Clark County Department of Aviation
- Terminals: Two passenger terminals (Terminal 1 and Terminal 3)
- Passengers in 2025: 55 million passengers (third highest ever at this airport)
- Record Year: 2024 (approximately 58.4 million passengers)
- Nonstop Flights to: Over 170 destinations
- Airlines with Bases Here: Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, JSX, and Southwest Airlines
- Busiest Airline: Southwest Airlines
Design of the Terminals and Passenger Experience
There are two passenger terminals at Harry Reid, and they are not connected by walking path. It depends on your airline which terminal you’ll have to use; you need to know that before you head to the airport.
Structure of the Terminal:
The terminals have their own gates at the airport. There is also a tram that connects both terminals and the satellite concourse.
- Terminal 1: A, B, and C gates and D gates for all domestic carriers
- Terminal 3: E gates for all international flights and some domestic airlines (built in 2012)
- D Gates: A satellite terminal served by tram from either terminal
- Tram Lines: Green Line goes between Terminal 1 and C gates; Blue Line between Terminal 1 and D gates; and Red Line between D gates and Terminal 3
Notable Features:
Each terminal provides typical amenities, as well as several unique features that can be found in Nevada. These are the features:
- Slot machines in the terminals (one of the few airports in the U.S. offering legal gambling on-site)
- Free inter-terminal shuttle on Level 0 (it stops near Door 55)
- US Customs and Border Protection at Terminal 3 for international arrivals
- Shops, bars, and restaurants in both terminals
- The Club at LAS lounge at Terminal 3
Airlines & Destinations: What Places Are Available to Fly to/from LAS?
Being primarily a leisure and entertainment hub, LAS has plenty of short-haul domestic destinations. Also, the airport has been expanding its international connections.
Major Airlines:
These are some of the scheduled passenger airlines operating out of LAS. Low-cost domestic carriers typically operate out of Terminal 1, whereas Terminal 3 serves for international carriers as well as several domestic airlines.
- Southwest Airlines (Largest airline)
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- United Airlines
- Alaska Airlines
- Frontier Airlines
- Allegiant Air
- JetBlue Airways
- Breeze Airways
- Sun Country Airlines
- JSX (Operating out of its own private terminal on Haven Street)
Important: Spirit Airlines stopped flying from LAS on May 2, 2026. According to the airport,
all 16 Spirit destinations from Las Vegas are currently served by other carriers.
Top Domestic Routes:
The route connecting Los Angeles and Las Vegas was one of the busiest U.S. domestic routes based on seat capacity in 2025. In addition, Southwest operates several other busy western routes out of LAS.
- Los Angeles
- Denver
- Phoenix
- San Diego
- Sacramento
- Oakland
- San Jose
- Reno
International Connectivity
International flights to Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and others, such as Air Canada, WestJet, Aeroméxico, Viva, British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic, are offered at LAS. Air France inaugurated its nonstop flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle to LAS on April 15, 2026.
The first nonstop service connecting Australia and Las Vegas will be offered by Qantas on December 29, 2026. The QF55 flight from Sydney will depart on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays until March 12, 2027.
Airfield Statistics and Travel Trends
Passenger traffic reached its peak in 2024 and then declined. See the most recent statistics below.
- 2024: Roughly 58.4 million passengers (record year)
- 2025: Approximately 55 million passengers, falling by 5.9% compared to 2024 but still ranking third all time
- First half of 2026: 25.79 million passengers, declining by 6.7% compared to the same period in 2025
The drop in international travelers, especially those from Canada, as well as the closure of Spirit Airlines in May 2026, accounted for that decline. The reduction in air travel is also explained by airport officials as being related to nationwide trends. Southwest remains the dominant airline in terms of number of passengers.
Parking Lots and Ground Transport Services
This airport provides access to more than 17,000 parking spots at both terminals and the remote parking area. The airport parking lots operate on a 24/7 basis. Below are the charges provided by the official airport site (October 2026).
- Short Term (in the garages): $4 for the first hour, $8 for 1-2 hours, $5 per extra hour, $38 per day maximum
- Long Term (Terminals 1 and 3): $12 for the first two hours, $4 per extra hour, $20 per day maximum
- Economy: $6 for the first two hours, $2 per extra hour, $14 per day maximum
- Remote Lot: same as Economy, plus free shuttle service to the terminals
- Valet: $34 per day
- Reservation Parking: $30 per day at Terminal 1 and $23 per day at Terminal 3, plus discounted long-term parking at Terminal 3 from $16 on Saturday through Wednesday
- Cell Phone Lot: free for drivers waiting to meet up with their passengers
Rideshare: Uber and Lyft pick-up locations are in the parking garages, not at the curb. For Terminal 1, use Level 2 of the garage. For Terminal 3, use the Valet Level.
Car Rental: The Rent-A-Car Center is located at 7135 Gilespie Street, three miles south of the airport. Shuttle services are free from both terminals.
Unique Features Making LAS Unique
Harry Reid is not an ordinary commercial airport; there are several features making it unique from other airports in the United States.
Gaming in Passenger Terminals
The gaming industry in Nevada has made it possible to install slot machines at passenger terminals of the airport. Not many commercial airports in the United States have them.
Five-Airports System
LAS, together with four other airports for general aviation purposes, is run by Clark County; these airports include: Henderson Executive Airport, North Las Vegas Airport, Jean Sport Aviation Center, and Overton/Perkins Field.
Underground People Movers
There are three tram lines operating underground that transport people from Terminal 1 and gates C&D to Terminal 3.
Expansion Plans for Future Growth
Clark County has formulated a multibillion-dollar modernization program, and LAS is expected to run out of capacity in 2033 as it approaches the 65 million annual passenger capacity mark. The plans are still in progress and are pending approvals and financing.
- Addition of around 26 new gates, increasing the capacity of Terminal 1 from 39 gates to about 65
- Remodeled A & B concourse in linear pier layout along with new wings of former Terminal 2
- Relabeling of Terminal 3 to Terminal 2 to avoid confusion
- A connection road between both terminals along with a new multimodal center for rideshare, buses, and employee parking
- Improved baggage systems at both terminals, including a $31 million FAA grant
In the long run, Clark County is also considering building the Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport in Jean. The environmental impact study is currently underway, and the final decision is expected in May 2028. If approved, it can be operational from 2037 at the earliest.
Tips for Traveling at LAS Airport
Here are a few helpful hints that can make traveling around Harry Reid easier for you.
- Make sure you know which terminal you’ll be boarding your plane from before traveling, as there is no pedestrian access between the terminals.
- Budget extra time in case your departure terminal is the D gates terminal, as you will have to take a train.
- Check how long the security line will take on the official website of the airport before you head to the airport.
- Keep in mind that there will be lane closures in the airport connector tunnels until December 2026 because of repaving, and budget extra time accordingly.
- If you are parking at Terminal 3, but your plane departs from Terminal 1 and you don’t have any checked baggage, you can cross over using the pedestrian bridge and use the security checkpoint at Terminal 3.
Conclusion
The Harry Reid International Airport is vibrant, serving as an entry point into one of the busiest tourist cities in the world. It features a short transit connection to the Strip, an extensive domestic service, and recently added international airlines such as Air France and Qantas.
A significant modernization project is on the way to ensure that the airport remains ready for the future. Until then, being prepared with knowledge about the terminals and transportation around the airport will help you get off to the right start when visiting Las Vegas.
Frequently Asked Questions
The majority of the domestic airlines, such as Southwest, Allegiant, American, and Delta, utilize Terminal 1. Terminal 3 serves all international airlines and some domestic airlines, like Alaska, Frontier, and United. There is no connecting route between the two terminals, so please make sure that you know your airline terminal before departing.
Pick-up points for rideshares are located in the parking garages and not at the arrivals curb at Terminal 1. For Terminal 1, please proceed to Level 2 of the parking garage after crossing the pedestrian bridge from baggage claim.
According to the airport’s official website, the daily rate is \$38 for short-term parking, $20 for long-term parking, $14 for economy parking, and $34 for valet service. There is also an option to book a parking space beforehand at \$30 a day at Terminal 1 and $23 a day at Terminal 3. Discounted bookings at Terminal 3 long-term parking are available starting from $16 a day from Saturday till Wednesday.
This airport is located within five miles of Las Vegas city center and is near the southern end of the Strip. It all depends on the hotel you have booked and the traffic. Due to the repaving work in the airport connector tunnels, lane closures will take place through December 2026, so be ready for some delays. There are taxis, shuttle services, rideshare companies, and car rentals.
Yes. A multibillion-dollar expansion project that will see an addition of around 26 gates, bringing Terminal 1 up to approximately 65 gates, has been announced by Clark County.