McCarran International Airport

The McCarran (Las Vegas) International Airport (LAS) is the most important airport operating in the Las Vegas area. This airport is situated some five miles south of the Las Vegas Strip. Run by the Clark County Department of Aviation, LAS is the main hub of US Airways. Also, the airport receives significant traffic coming from passengers brought there by Southwest Airlines, AirTran Airways and Allegiant Air.

Unlike most airports, LAS shows itself to be a true Las Vegas airport by featuring 1,300 slot machines in various spots within the terminal. LAS is also home to the Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum, a museum dedicated to showcasing the airline history of Las Vegas.

LAS has two terminals. Terminal 1 has four concourses and 85 gates; it handles mainly domestic traffic. Concourse A and Concourse B are used mainly by US Airways. Terminal 2 is also known as Charter International Terminal. Four of its eight gates are dedicated to international flights. It is in Terminal 2 where the LAS VIP room for first class passengers is located.

There is a plan to expand LAS by building a third terminal. This Terminal 3 is expected to open to passenger traffic on 2011. Ground Transport Concourse C and D are connected to Terminal 1 through people movers. LAS also has a free shuttle service to take passengers between the two terminals. As to traveling between the airport and to another destination within the Las Vegas area, taxicabs and limousines are available for hire and reservations. The taxicabs are found on the eastern side of the baggage claim area, just outside Exits 1 to 5. On the other hand, the limousine service is available at the western side of the baggage claim area, using Exits 8 to 13.

Buses also run to and from LAS. CAT and CAT Paratransit Service include LAS in some of their bus routes going to central Las Vegas and the Strip. Car Parks and Car Hire There are various parking facilities being operated in the LAS area. Economy and oversized parking is located near Russell Road and is serviced by a free shuttle service to and from the airport. The parking garage has specific areas designated as short-term parking, long-term parking and valet parking. Terminal 2 has its own short-term parking facility with 270 spaces.

LAS has its own McCarran Rent-A-Car Center, and there are dedicated shuttles to transport interested passengers between the airport and the Center. The rental car companies have their own desks at the baggage claim area, and these companies include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, Payless, Sav-mor and Thrifty.

Hotels within the Airport

LAS does not have hotels within the Airport itself. However, there are many hotels on and off the Strip that cater to travelers coming from LAS. These hotels include Caesar's Palace, Bellagio Hotel, Aladdin, Flamingo Hilton, MGM Grand, New York-New York and Marriott Suites. MGM Grand and New York-New York both offer check-in service right from the airport, at Level 1 of Terminal 1.

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