Nevada's Airport Network: How Many Are There?

Nevada has around 54 airports open to the public, including military airports. The McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas is the largest and busiest airport in the state, with almost 45 million travellers passing through each year. The second busiest airport is the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, which is classified as a small-hub US airport. Nevada is one of the busiest states in terms of air traffic, despite only having a handful of airports.

Nevada's busiest airports

Nevada has around 54 airports open to the public, and is one of the busiest US states in terms of air traffic. The state's airports are centred around the Las Vegas area, with McCarran International Airport being the busiest.

McCarran International Airport

McCarran International Airport (IATA code: LAS) is the largest airport in Nevada, and one of the busiest in the USA, serving almost 45 million travellers annually. The airport is located in Paradise, around 5-8km south of Downtown Las Vegas. Several airlines use LAS as a major hub, including Alaska, American, Delta, Canadian WestJet, and Air Canada. The airport has two terminals and 92 gates, and is well-equipped with amenities including restaurants, shops, and good parking facilities.

Reno/Tahoe International Airport

Reno/Tahoe International Airport (IATA code: RNO) is the second busiest airport in Nevada, serving around 4.5 million passengers each year. It is classified as a small-hub US airport, serving the city of Reno and Washoe County. The airport is located 6km southeast of Reno's centre, and has three runways.

North Las Vegas Airport

North Las Vegas Airport (IATA code: VGT) is the second busiest airport in the Las Vegas area, and is used mostly for general aviation and scenic tours. The airport is located 3 miles northwest of downtown Las Vegas, and has three asphalt runways.

Elko Regional Airport

Elko Regional Airport (IATA code: EKO), also known as J.C. Harris Field, is located 1 mile west of downtown Elko, in Elko County. The airport was named after Jess C. Harris, a sheriff from Elko known as "The Flying Sheriff". Elko Regional Airport has two asphalt runways and consists of 700 acres.

Airports in Las Vegas

Nevada has around 54 airports open to the public, with most of them centred around Las Vegas. The Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (IATA code: LAS) is the largest airport in Nevada and one of the busiest airports in the USA, serving almost 45 million travellers annually. The airport is located in Paradise, about 5 miles south of Downtown Las Vegas, and is named after the late US Senator Pat McCarran, who contributed to the development of aviation in Las Vegas and nationally. LAS covers 2,800 acres of land and consists of 2 terminals and 92 gates. It is served by several major airlines, including Alaska, American, Delta, Canadian WestJet, and Air Canada.

The North Las Vegas Airport (IATA code: VGT) is located 3 miles northwest of downtown Las Vegas and is the second busiest airport in the state. It is a regional airport that is well-equipped for general aviation and scenic tours, featuring meeting rooms, business conference areas, restaurants, disabled-friendly services, and various shopping and dining areas. The airport covers 920 acres of land and has three asphalt runways.

Another notable airport in the Las Vegas area is the Henderson Executive Airport (IATA code: HND), a public airport situated 11 nautical miles south of the central business district of Las Vegas. It covers 760 acres of land at an elevation of 2,492 feet above mean sea level and has two asphalt runways. The surrounding landscape is typical of the Mojave Desert, with gentle mountain slopes and volcanic rock formations.

Airports in Reno

The Reno-Tahoe International Airport is located just minutes from downtown Reno, Nevada, and is the closest major airport to Lake Tahoe. It is about 6km southeast of Reno's centre and is named after the city of Reno and Lake Tahoe. It is the second busiest airport in Nevada, serving Reno and Washoe County. It is also a military airport, with the Nevada Air National Guard's 152nd Airlift Wing to the southwest of the airport's main terminal.

The airport was built in 1929 by Boeing Transport Inc. and was initially named Hubbard Field, after Boeing Air Transport VP and air transport pioneer Eddie Hubbard. It was acquired by United Airlines in 1936 and then purchased by the City of Reno in 1953. The airport received its current name in 1994, honouring both the city and the nearby tourist destination of Lake Tahoe. The passenger terminal is named after the late US Senator Howard Cannon.

The airport has two concourses, B and C, with 23 jet bridge gates. There are 11 airlines serving RNO, providing more than 130 daily flights. The airport offers nonstop flights to over 20 destinations, with seasonal routes also available.

The airport has a range of amenities, including a passenger lounge, restaurants, retail stores, Bark Parks, and massage chairs. Transportation options include rental cars, taxis, limousines, and public buses.

Domestic and regional flights from Nevada

Nevada is served by two major airports and one smaller regional airport. The two main airports are the McCarran International Airport (LAS) and the Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO). The smaller airport is the Elko Regional Airport (EKO), which only serves the city of Elko and has flights connecting to more than 30 destinations across the US.

The McCarran International Airport (LAS) serves the Las Vegas Valley region and the southern part of Utah and northern Arizona. This airport is busy and offers plenty of entertainment options for kids, including an exhibition from the aviation museum at the baggage claim area.

Reno-Tahoe International Airport is a good option for those looking for a quieter city with fewer tourists. However, this airport has fewer route and airline options, and you may need to account for a layover in Las Vegas, depending on your origin.

When it comes to finding flights to Nevada, several airlines offer domestic and regional services. Here are some of the top airlines and their popular routes:

• Southwest Airlines: With 6,474 flights to or near Nevada each month, including 6,162 flights to McCarran International Airport (LAS) and 312 flights to Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO), Southwest is a popular choice for travellers.
• Spirit Airlines: Offering 2,427 flights to or near Nevada monthly, with 2,366 flights to McCarran International Airport (LAS) and 60 flights to Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO), Spirit Airlines is another convenient option.
• Delta Air Lines: Delta provides 1,508 flights to Nevada each month, including 1,291 flights to McCarran International Airport (LAS) and 186 flights to Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO).
• Frontier Airlines: This airline offers convenient flights to Nevada, with popular routes including Chicago (ORD) to Harry Reid International Airport and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to Harry Reid International Airport.
• United Airlines: United provides domestic and regional flights to Nevada, with routes such as Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) and Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Harry Reid International Airport.
• American Airlines: American Airlines operates flights to Nevada, including routes such as New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) and Liberty International Airport to Harry Reid International Airport.

When booking your domestic or regional flight to Nevada, consider your origin, destination, and preferred airline to find the best route and pricing.

Nevada's private-use airports

Nevada has 54 airports that the public can use, including international airports, military airports, and smaller hubs.

While the state is known for its busy air traffic, there are also several notable private-use airports in Nevada. These include Parker Carson Airport, Black Rock City Airport, Calvada Meadows Airport, and Hadley Airport. Private-use airports are not open to the public and may be owned and operated by individuals, businesses, or organizations for their exclusive use.

Parker Carson Airport, previously known as Parker Carson STOLport, is one such example. It serves as a private facility for those wishing to access the Carson City area. Black Rock City Airport is another private-use airport located in Nevada, primarily serving the Black Rock Desert region.

Calvada Meadows Airport is a privately-owned facility that caters to a limited number of aircraft and offers exclusive services to its clientele. Hadley Airport, formerly a public-use airport, has transitioned to private use and is now a more exclusive aviation hub.

These private-use airports showcase the diverse aviation landscape of Nevada, complementing the busier international airports and providing specialized services to their customers.

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