Roberta Aguirre
Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport was formerly known as McCarran International Airport. The airport was renamed in 2021 to honour the late US Senator Harry Mason Reid Jr., who died on 28 December 2021. Reid was a well-known American lawyer and politician who served as a senator from Nevada between 1987 and 2017. The airport was originally named after Senator Pat McCarran, who has since been criticised for making racist and antisemitic remarks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Previous Name | McCarran International Airport |
| New Name | Harry Reid International Airport |
| Location | Las Vegas |
| Distance from Las Vegas Strip | 5 miles |
| Year of Rename | 2021 |
| Reason for Rename | To distance itself from the legacy of racism, xenophobia and antisemitism of Sen. Pat McCarran |
| Number of Terminals | 2 |
| Number of Gates | 110 |
| Number of Runways | 4 |
| Operating Airlines | Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, JSX, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines |
| Number of Slot Machines | 1,400 |
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What You'll Learn
- Harry Reid International Airport was previously known as McCarran International Airport
- The airport was renamed in 2021 to honour former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
- The airport is located five miles from the Las Vegas Strip
- McCarran International Airport was named after Senator Pat McCarran, who has been criticised for racist and antisemitic remarks
- The airport is one of the busiest in the US, handling over 50 million passengers annually
Harry Reid International Airport was previously known as McCarran International Airport
Harry Reid International Airport, located in Las Vegas, Nevada, was previously known as McCarran International Airport. The airport was renamed in December 2021 to honour former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who represented Nevada in the Senate for three decades.
The airport, which is one of the busiest in the United States, is located just five miles from the Las Vegas Strip, making it a popular gateway for travellers from all over the world. It handled over 58.4 million passengers in 2024, the most in its history. The airport operates without a curfew, allowing flights to arrive and depart 24/7, reflecting the city's vibrant and nonstop lifestyle.
Previously named McCarran International Airport, the airport was originally dedicated to Nevada Senator Pat McCarran in 1948 due to his reputation as a vocal advocate for the aviation industry. However, in recent years, McCarran has been criticised for his legacy of racism, xenophobia, and antisemitism. In February 2021, the Clark County Commission voted unanimously to rename the airport after Senator Harry Reid, recognising his contributions to the state and the airport's significance as a gateway to the world for many travellers.
The process of renaming the airport involved multiple phases, including changing primary signage, digital presence, and various materials. The original McCarran Field sign at the airport's Las Vegas Boulevard entrance was preserved due to its historical significance. The new name, Harry Reid International Airport, reflects the airport's role as a modern and well-connected transportation hub, offering domestic and international flights to various destinations.
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The airport was renamed in 2021 to honour former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
The decision to rename the airport was made in February 2021 when the Clark County Commission voted unanimously to honour Senator Reid. The official renaming ceremony took place in December 2021, and the airport became known as the Harry Reid International Airport.
The original name of the airport, McCarran International Airport, had been in use since 1948 and was named after Nevada Senator Pat McCarran, who was known as a vocal advocate for the aviation industry. However, in recent years, McCarran's legacy has been re-evaluated, and he has been criticised for his racist and antisemitic remarks.
Harry Reid, who served as a senator from 1987 to 2017, had a special connection to the airport, calling it his "gateway to the world". In his statement, Reid reflected on his work in Congress to bolster the facility, calling it a "world-class international transportation hub" and an "indispensable ingredient to Las Vegas' success".
The process of renaming the airport involved several phases, including changing the primary signage around the airport's outdoor areas, as well as the names throughout the airport, from the curb to the gates. The original McCarran Field sign at the Las Vegas Boulevard entrance was retained due to its historical significance.
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The airport is located five miles from the Las Vegas Strip
Harry Reid International Airport, previously known as McCarran International Airport, is located just five miles from the Las Vegas Strip. This makes it a very convenient airport for those visiting Las Vegas for its famous entertainment, gaming, sports, and more. The airport is easily accessible via Paradise Road and Russell Road from the north and via the Harry Reid Airport Connector from the south.
The airport is also accessible by foot from the Strip, although it is quite a long walk at 2.5 miles. The walk is flat and can be interesting, offering a different perspective of Las Vegas. It is a chance to see the ''real'' Las Vegas, away from the bright lights and fantasyland of the Strip. However, it can also feel a bit desolate and possibly dangerous, and it is not recommended in very hot weather.
For those who do wish to walk, the route is fairly obvious. Head north, parallel to Paradise Road, and you will soon pass the employee parking lot and some rental car lots. You can also follow the direction of one of the hotels, all of which are eventually reachable from this route.
Harry Reid International Airport is a busy airport, handling over 50 million passengers annually on average. It is well-connected, with flights to cities in Asia, Europe, and North America, and it operates without a curfew, meaning flights can arrive and depart 24/7.
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McCarran International Airport was named after Senator Pat McCarran, who has been criticised for racist and antisemitic remarks
Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas was previously named after Senator Pat McCarran. McCarran was a lawyer, farmer, judge, and Democratic politician who served in the United States Senate from 1933 until his death in 1954. He was known for his support of the aviation industry, which led to the Las Vegas airport being named McCarran Field in his honour in 1948.
However, McCarran's legacy is also marked by controversies surrounding his racist and antisemitic beliefs and remarks. He was criticised for his opposition to plans for federal health insurance and increased education spending, his preference to restrict the power of unions, and his opposition to increased immigration. McCarran actively opposed efforts to allow survivors of the Holocaust to enter the United States, and his views on immigration were influenced by his antisemitism. He also appointed Senator James Eastland, a known white supremacist and segregationist, as chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Civil Rights.
In addition to his views on immigration, McCarran's racism was also reflected in his support for restricting communist groups and investigating their activities. He was involved with Senator Joseph McCarthy and J. Edgar Hoover, and his namesake McCarran Act required communist groups to register with the government.
Due to his history of racist and antisemitic comments, there were calls to remove McCarran's name from the airport. Many Nevada politicians supported the change, and Senator Harry Reid described McCarran as "one of the most prejudiced people who has ever served in the Senate". In February 2021, the Clark County Commissioners voted unanimously to rename the airport after Senator Harry Reid, and the change was officially implemented in December of that year.
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The airport is one of the busiest in the US, handling over 50 million passengers annually
Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, previously known as McCarran International Airport, is one of the busiest airports in the US. Handling over 50 million passengers annually, it is a hub of activity, with flights arriving and departing 24/7. The airport's dominance in the 1990s was established by Southwest Airlines, which remains the largest low-cost carrier at the airport, with more than 40% of the market share. The airport is also a base for Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, JSX, and Spirit Airlines, which holds 15% of the market share.
Harry Reid International Airport is well-connected, with direct flights to cities in Asia, Europe, and North America. In 2018, LATAM Airlines Brasil added a seasonal route to São Paulo, providing the airport with its first direct link to South America. The airport has four runways, with 8L/26R being the third-longest civil runway in the country. It also has 110 gates across two terminals and a satellite concourse, Concourse D. Terminal 3, which was added in 2012, handles international arrivals and has a stand that can accommodate the Airbus A380, the largest commercial plane in the world.
The airport is located just five miles from the Las Vegas Strip, making it a convenient gateway to the city's vibrant entertainment, gaming, sports, and leisure offerings. It is also easily accessible by road, with the Harry Reid Airport Connector providing a direct link from the south via the Las Vegas Beltway. A consolidated rental car facility, located three miles away, is linked to the terminals by shuttle buses, and the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada's public bus system also serves the airport.
Harry Reid International Airport has a unique offering with over 1,400 slot machines across its terminals, providing travellers with the chance to try their luck before boarding their flights. The airport's marketing campaign, "Gateway to Everything," reflects its role as a dynamic hub, connecting travellers to the abundant activities and attractions of the region, including the Grand Canyon, the Colorado River, and Red Rock Canyon.
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Frequently asked questions
Harry Reid International Airport was formerly known as McCarran International Airport.
The airport officially changed its name in December 2021.
The airport was renamed to honour former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who represented Nevada in the Senate for three decades.
The airport's code is LAS.
Harry Reid Airport has four runways.
