Las Vegas Airport Departures (LAS)

Las Vegas Airport is among the largest thirty airports in the world, and is a very important airport of the city of Las Vegas, in the United States. It is also named after the former Nevada Senator, Pat McCarran, and is therefore known as the McCarran International Airport. Las Vegas Airport has the code of LAS, and is one of five airports in the city that form the Clark County Airport System. It is rated as the 22nd busiest airport in the world, with over 38 million passengers per annum. Las Vegas Airport departures are offered by a wide variety of airline companies, and passengers can choose to fly to a large number of destinations. The airport departure areas are well equipped for departing passengers and there are also several ways to reach the airport terminals.

Las Vegas Airport is located just five miles from downtown Las Vegas, and just south of the famous Las Vegas Strip where many of the most popular hotels and casinos are found. It the largest airport in the state of Nevada, and the largest airport in Clark County. Nearby areas include Paradise, Paradise Valley, Winchester and Spring Valley. The airport is also nearby the University of Nevada, Sunset Park and the Las Vegas National Golf Club. Departing passengers will take the Interstate-15 north or south to the airport turn-offs onto either Flamingo Road or Tropicana Avenue, and then turn right onto Paradise Road. From this road there are turn offs to the airport parking areas and the terminal buildings. Russell Road is a road for airport access from the east. There is a parking garage outside of Terminal 1 for short-term and long-term parking, an economy parking lot connected to the terminals by shuttle buses and a parking area outside of Terminal 2.

Passengers on Las Vegas Airport departure flights could also travel to their terminal by bus or taxi, as various ground transportation options are available. Local buses operated by RTC Transit travel from downtown Las Vegas, the Bonneville Transit Centre, the South Strip Transfer Terminal, the Westcliff Transit Centre and a variety of popular Las Vegas hotels. Routes #108, #109 and the Westcliffe Airport Express are the buses that provide transport to the airport. Passengers can travel to the airport from further locations as well, as there are various buses available. The areas they serve include Lake Havasu City, Laughlin, Bullhead City and Golden Valley. There is no direct train to the airport terminals, however, future plans for the airport may include a monorail that connects to the city’s current monorail system at the MGM Grand Station. Taxis are a convenient way to reach a departure flight, and are available from all areas of the city. Limousines can also be hired.

Las Vegas Airport is a hub for Great Lakes Airlines, that offers departure flights to Ely, Farmington, Merced and Visalia, and is also an important airport for the airline companies of Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, SkyWest Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Virgin America and WestJet, an international carrier serving cities in Canada, such as Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg. WestJet also serves Hamilton, Kelowna, Ottawa, London (ON), Prince George, Regina, Saskatoon and Victoria with seasonal flights. This airline company is also the top international carrier at Las Vegas Airport. The majority of the airport’s flights travel to other cities in the United States, some of which include Phoenix, Seattle, Dallas/Fort Worth, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Minneapolis and Oklahoma City. The busiest domestic route served from Las Vegas Airport is Los Angeles, in nearby California. Besides Canadian cities, the airport serves the international destinations of London, Manchester, Frankfurt and Mexico City, and some of the important international carriers available include British Airways, Philippine Airlines, Korean Air, Condor, Air Canada, Virgin Atlantic Airways and Sunwing Airlines.

There are currently two terminal buildings from where flights could depart at Las Vegas Airport. Terminal 1 handles the majority of airport flights, and consists of four concourses and a centralized check-in and baggage reclaim area. Its concourse are referred to as A, B, C and D, of which C and D are satellite terminals connected to the central area by the McCarran International Airport people movers. This terminal has a large number of check-in counters, self-service check-in kiosks and curb-side check-in kiosks. Passengers are also able to check-in online for many flights. Terminal 2 is from where international and charter flights depart, and is smaller than Terminal 1. It has only eight gates, of which four are for international flights. Terminal 2 and Terminal 1 are linked by free airport shuttles. Terminal 3 is currently under construction at Las Vegas Airport, to help the airport reach its goal of a capacity of 53 million passengers per annum. Terminal 3 will take over international flights from Terminal 2, and the airport’s scheduled airline carriers will move to this terminal as well. It will have fourteen gates, hundreds of check-in counters and self-check-in kiosks and its own parking garage of 6.000 spaces.

Passengers on Las Vegas Airport departure flights will find all terminals to be well equipped for their needs - they even feature hundreds of slot machines and gambling machines to match the vibrant and entertaining style and atmosphere of the city. There are many airport shops and restaurants available, banking and currency exchange services, a fitness centre with gym equipment, restrooms and facilities for disabled travellers. The airport VIP lounges include a Presidents Club in Terminal 1, Concourse D, which can be used by all US Airways Club members and United Red Carpet Club members, and a USO lounge in the terminal for American service members. Las Vegas Airport also features various art displays, including wildlife sculptures by David L. Phelps and a steel and glass sculpture by Tony Milici, and the Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum, with information regarding the airline history of Las Vegas.

Departing Las Vegas Airport passengers should notify their airline company if they are travelling with infants, if they need to carry any special medical supplies on board the airplane, if they are disabled and need assistance or if the passenger will be an unaccompanied minor. The new liquid regulations are applicable to passengers of Las Vegas Airport, and passengers should ensure their luggage does not exceed the maximum weight and size limitations set by their airline carrier. Luggage should be clearly marked as well. Before travelling to the airport, ensure that you have your travel documents and boarding pass on hand, and that you are ready for the security checks, i.e. are not wearing unnecessary jewellery or other metal objects that could set off the metal detectors. Your shoes will also need to be removed before passing through the metal detectors. Always keep a close eye on your luggage, and never carry any item/bag onto the airplane for a stranger.

Live Las Vegas Airport departure flights can be viewed on various online websites, or the airport can be contacted for further information regarding departure facilities and other general airport enquiries. Their contact number is (702)261-5211.