Roberta Aguirre
Harry Reid International Airport, formerly McCarran International Airport, is an international airport serving the Las Vegas Valley in Nevada, USA. The airport is located five miles (8 km) south of downtown Las Vegas and covers 2,800 acres of land. LAS is the airport code assigned by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and stands for McCarran International Airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport name | Harry Reid International Airport |
| Former name | McCarran International Airport |
| Location | Las Vegas, Nevada, US |
| IATA | LAS |
| ICAO | KLAS |
| FAA LID | LAS |
| Owner | Clark County |
| Operator | Clark County's Department of Aviation |
| Year opened | 1943 |
| Number of runways | 4 |
| Number of terminals | 2 |
| Number of gates | 110 |
| Number of concourses | 5 |
| Slot machines | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
LAS stands for Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport
LAS stands for Las Vegas McCarran International Airport, which is now known as Harry Reid International Airport. The airport is located five miles (8 km) south of downtown Las Vegas, in the unincorporated area of Paradise, and covers 2,800 acres (4.4 sq mi; 11.3 km2) of land. It is owned by Clark County and operated by the county's Department of Aviation. The airport is named after the late U.S. congressman and senator from Nevada, Harry Reid. It has four runways and two terminals with five gate areas (concourses) all connected with a people mover system.
The airport opened in January 1943 as Alamo Field and initially catered to general aviation. In December 1948, it was renamed for U.S. senator Pat McCarran, and commercial airlines shifted to it from the Las Vegas Army Airfield. The growth of the Las Vegas casino industry during the 1950s fuelled a rise in air traffic; the city went from receiving 36,000 passengers in 1948 to nearly one million in 1959. In September 1960, United Airlines became the first carrier to offer jet flights to Las Vegas.
As air traffic continued to increase, the county expanded the airport with new terminals, concourses, and lengthened runways. In 2012, Terminal 3 was added, and the airport was renamed in honour of Senator Reid in 2021. Reid is served by over 30 airlines and is an operating base for Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, JSX, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. In 2024, over 58.4 million passengers passed through the airport, the most in its history.
Las Vegas Reid International Airport is one of two airports in the United States with slot machines inside the terminals. The airport has a total of 110 gates across its two passenger terminals, which are numbered 1 and 3, and a satellite concourse called Concourse D. Terminal 1 contains three concourses labelled A, B, and C, while Terminal 3 houses the E gates and handles international arrivals.
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Renamed Harry Reid International Airport in 2021
LAS, the airport code for Las Vegas's McCarran International Airport, stands for Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2021, the airport was renamed Harry Reid International Airport.
The airport was originally named after U.S. senator Pat McCarran in 1948 due to his reputation as a vocal advocate for the aviation industry. However, in February 2021, the Clark County Commission voted unanimously to rename the airport after U.S. senator Harry Reid of Nevada. The decision came after reports of McCarran's history of "perpetuating racism, xenophobia and antisemitism".
The airport officially changed its name in December 2021, 73 years after it was first named for McCarran. The renaming process occurred in several phases, with the first phase involving changing the primary signage around the airport's outdoor areas. The second phase changed the names throughout the airport, including signage from the curb to the gates. The final phase included changes to business cards, stationery, and concessionaire-related work.
Harry Reid International Airport is located five miles (8 km) south of downtown Las Vegas, in the unincorporated area of Paradise. It covers 2,800 acres (4.4 sq mi; 11.3 km2) of land and is owned by Clark County and operated by the county's Department of Aviation. The airport has four runways and two terminals with five gate areas (concourses) all connected with a people mover system. It is one of only two airports in the United States with slot machines inside the terminals.
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Serves Las Vegas Valley and Clark County, Nevada
Harry Reid International Airport (IATA: LAS, ICAO: KLAS, FAA LID: LAS), formerly known as McCarran International Airport, serves the Las Vegas Valley, a metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Nevada. Located in the unincorporated area of Paradise, it is positioned five miles (8 km) south of downtown Las Vegas. Covering 2,800 acres (4.4 sq mi; 11.3 km2) of land, the airport is owned by Clark County and operated by the county's Department of Aviation.
The airport has experienced several name changes throughout its history. It opened in January 1943 as Alamo Field, catering to general aviation. In December 1948, it was renamed McCarran International Airport after U.S. senator Pat McCarran, and commercial airlines began operating from the airport. However, in 2021, the airport was renamed Harry Reid International Airport due to reports of Senator McCarran's "history of perpetuating racism, xenophobia and antisemitism". The new name honours the late U.S. congressman and senator from Nevada, Harry Reid.
As the principal commercial airport serving the Las Vegas Valley and Clark County, Harry Reid International Airport plays a crucial role in the region's transportation network. The airport features two terminals, numbered 1 and 3, with five gate areas (concourses) connected by a people mover system. Terminal 1 houses Concourses A, B, and C, while Terminal 3 handles international arrivals and includes the E gates and Concourse D, capable of accommodating the Airbus A380, the largest commercial aircraft in the world.
The growth of the Las Vegas casino industry in the 1950s significantly impacted the airport's development. The city's rising popularity led to an increase in air traffic, prompting the construction of a new terminal in the 1960s. Expansion projects have continued over the years to accommodate the growing number of passengers and the advent of commercial jetliners. Today, the airport is served by over 30 airlines and is a hub or operating base for several carriers, including Allegiant Air, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines.
Harry Reid International Airport is also known for its unique features, such as the presence of slot machines within its terminals. It is one of only two airports in the United States, along with Reno Airport, that offer this form of entertainment to passengers. The airport's proximity to the vibrant city of Las Vegas and its world-renowned attractions further enhances its appeal to travellers from around the globe.
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Has 4 runways, 2 terminals, and 5 gate areas
Harry Reid International Airport, formerly known as McCarran International Airport, has four runways, two terminals, and five gate areas. The airport, serving the Las Vegas Valley, is located five miles (8 km) south of downtown Las Vegas, in the unincorporated area of Paradise. Covering 2,800 acres of land, it is one of the nation's busiest airports, serving 57 million passengers annually.
The two terminals are numbered 1 and 3, with Terminal 1 being the main domestic terminal, handling flights from the A, B, C, and D gates. Terminal 3 serves both domestic and international flights from the D and E gates. Terminals 1 and 3 are not connected, so passengers are advised to check ahead for the correct terminal to avoid having to ride the shuttle bus between terminals. Terminal 3, added in 2012, handles international arrivals and has 14 gates numbered E1 to E12, E14, and E15. Most international airlines operate from these E gates, which also feature shops, restaurants, and a lounge called The Club at LAS.
Terminal 1, on the other hand, has three concourses: A, B, and C. Gate C, used primarily by Southwest Airlines, has 18 gates in a straight-line configuration and offers a wider range of shopping and dining options than the other gates. Gate A has bars at each end, while Gate C features a gaming lounge and a Chiroport for relaxation. All gates in Terminal 1 offer multiple dining options, ranging from quick meals to sit-down restaurants. Terminal 1 also provides charging stations and dedicated workstations for laptop charging.
In addition to the two main terminals, there is a satellite concourse called Concourse D, which can accommodate both domestic and international flights. This concourse has 44 gates, including a 3-jetway stand that can accommodate the Airbus A380, the largest commercial airplane in the world. An airside tram system with three lines connects the various concourses and terminals, facilitating seamless travel within the airport.
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One of two US airports with slot machines
LAS, the airport code for Harry Reid International Airport, formerly known as McCarran International Airport, is an acronym that stands for Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, where the airport is located. The airport first opened in 1943 as Alamo Field, catering to general aviation. It was renamed in December 1948 after U.S. senator Pat McCarran, and commercial airlines began to operate from the airport.
Harry Reid International Airport is one of two airports in the United States with slot machines inside its terminals. The other airport with slot machines is Reno-Tahoe International Airport. The slot machines at Harry Reid International Airport are popular with travellers and are considered an iconic part of the "Only Vegas" experience. There are over 1,000 slot machines at the airport, and they have become a significant source of revenue, generating nearly $60 million for Clark County each year.
The airport has a total of 110 gates across two passenger terminals, numbered 1 and 3, and a satellite concourse called Concourse D. Terminal 1 contains three concourses labelled A, B, and C, while Terminal 3 handles international arrivals and houses the E gates. A tunnel connects the international gates in Concourse D to the customs checkpoint.
The presence of slot machines at the airport has led to some interesting stories of travellers winning large jackpots while waiting for their flights. In one instance, a passenger won over $1.3 million at a Wheel of Fortune Triple Double Emeralds slot machine. However, winning a jackpot can also lead to missing a flight due to the paperwork involved in claiming the prize.
While the slot machines at the airport are a draw for some travellers, it is important to note that they have lower payout rates than casinos on the Strip. John Mehaffey, the owner of the gambling industry site VegasAdvantage.com, advises gamblers to save their money for the Strip instead of playing the slots at the airport.
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Frequently asked questions
LAS stands for McCarran International Airport, which is now known as Harry Reid International Airport.
LAS airport is located in the Las Vegas Valley, in the unincorporated area of Paradise, Clark County, Nevada.
The airport opened in January 1943 as Alamo Field, catering to general aviation.
