Last Updated on July 25, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Southwest Airlines operates from Terminal 1 at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas. Passengers check in and collect checked baggage in Terminal 1, while Southwest departures normally use the B or C gates. Gate assignments can change, so always confirm the terminal and gate in the Southwest app or on your boarding pass before traveling.
Quick Answer
Southwest Airlines uses Terminal 1 at Harry Reid International Airport. Check-in and baggage claim are in Terminal 1, and flights normally depart from B or C gates. Arrive about two hours before a domestic flight, use the checkpoint shown for your gate, and confirm the gate again after clearing security.
Key Takeaways
- Terminal: Southwest check-in and baggage claim are in Terminal 1.
- Departure gates: Southwest normally uses B and C gates, but passengers should verify the assigned gate before leaving for the airport.
- Seating: Southwest transitioned to assigned seating and Boarding Groups 1 through 8 on January 27, 2026.
- Checked bags: Fees and free-bag benefits now depend on the fare, Rapid Rewards status, or eligible card benefits.
- Transportation: Terminal 1 rideshare pickup is on Level 2 of the parking garage, taxis are outside doors 1–4, and RTC buses stop on Level Zero.
What Terminal Is Southwest Airlines at Las Vegas Airport?
Southwest Airlines uses Terminal 1 at Harry Reid International Airport. The airport code is LAS. Southwest’s ticket counters, check-in facilities, bag-drop area, and arriving-passenger baggage claim are located in Terminal 1.
After checking in and clearing security, Southwest passengers normally depart from the B or C gates. These gate areas are part of the Terminal 1 system, although reaching the assigned gate may involve a longer walk or an airport tram. Follow the airport signs and the gate information displayed in the Southwest app.
| Airport | Harry Reid International Airport |
| Airport code | LAS |
| Southwest check-in | Terminal 1 |
| Usual departure gates | B or C gates |
| Southwest baggage claim | Terminal 1 |
| Recommended arrival | About 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight |
| Checked-bag cutoff | Southwest states that bags must be checked at least 45 minutes before the scheduled departure from LAS |
Warning: Do not automatically go to Terminal 3 because your flight is international. Southwest’s ticket counter and bag-drop operation at LAS are in Terminal 1. Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 are in separate parts of the airport campus and are not connected by a public walking route.
If you reach the wrong terminal, use the airport’s free inter-terminal shuttle. The shuttle normally runs about every 20–30 minutes. At Terminal 1, the pickup point is on Level Zero near the covered parking garage. At Terminal 3, it is on Level Zero near the center of the curb.
Southwest Airlines’ History in Las Vegas
Southwest Airlines was incorporated in 1967 and began flying in 1971. The carrier launched service to Las Vegas on January 31, 1982, with five daily nonstop departures to Houston and Phoenix. Las Vegas later became one of the largest operations in Southwest’s network.
The airport was known as McCarran International Airport for most of Southwest’s history in Las Vegas. It was officially renamed Harry Reid International Airport on December 14, 2021, although the airport code remained LAS. Some airline webpages, maps, reservation records, and older travel materials may still display the former airport name.
Southwest has continued to expand its Las Vegas schedule as the city has grown as a tourism, convention, sports, and entertainment destination. The airline described Las Vegas as one of its foundational markets when announcing additional service for 2026 and 2027.
Terminal 1 Facilities and Amenities
Terminal 1 includes airline ticketing, check-in, baggage claim, security checkpoints, parking access, ground transportation, restaurants, shops, free airport Wi-Fi, and charging locations. Southwest also lists self-tagging kiosks among its LAS amenities, allowing eligible passengers to print and attach baggage tags before taking their bags to the designated drop-off point.
The airport has several TSA checkpoints serving different gate areas. The C-gate checkpoint is closely associated with Southwest operations, while other Terminal 1 checkpoints can also provide access depending on the assigned gate and current airport configuration. Checkpoint operating hours and lane availability can change, so follow the signs and instructions displayed at the airport rather than relying only on an older map.
Harry Reid International Airport recommends allowing about two hours before a domestic departure and three hours before an international departure. More time may be needed during weekends, holidays, major conventions, Formula 1 events, or other high-traffic periods.
Pro Tip: Take a screenshot of your boarding pass and gate assignment before entering the airport. Check the Southwest app again after security because a flight can move between B and C gates.
Families can find aviation exhibits, art installations, shops with snacks and toys, and other activities throughout LAS. The airport’s main children’s play area is on the tram level between the D gates and Terminal 3, so it may not be close to a Southwest departure gate. Travelers who need wheelchair assistance should arrange it through Southwest and allow additional time for movement between ticketing, security, and the gate.
How to Navigate a Southwest Departure from LAS
1. Confirm Terminal 1 Before Leaving
Check the Southwest app, the airport flight-information page, or your boarding pass before traveling. The normal location is Terminal 1, but confirming the current information helps prevent delays caused by construction, road congestion, or an unusual operational change.
2. Go to the Southwest Ticketing and Bag-Drop Area
Passengers who already have a boarding pass and are traveling only with carry-on luggage can normally proceed toward security. Passengers checking luggage should use a Southwest kiosk or staffed counter and complete the bag-drop process before the airline’s cutoff.
Southwest’s LAS airport information states that checked bags must be accepted at least 45 minutes before scheduled departure. Arriving only a few minutes before that cutoff is risky because kiosk, counter, and bag-drop lines may be long.
3. Use the Checkpoint Serving Your Gate
Review whether the boarding pass shows a B or C gate and follow airport signs to the appropriate checkpoint. TSA PreCheck and other expedited services may be available to eligible passengers, but lane locations and operating hours can vary.
4. Follow the Signs to the Assigned Gate
Terminal 1 covers a large area. Allow time for walking, escalators, elevators, or tram travel where required. Recheck the flight-information displays after entering the secure area.
5. Be at the Gate Before Boarding Begins
Do not wait until the departure time to reach the gate. Boarding closes before departure, and gate agents may release a seat when a passenger is not present by the airline’s required deadline.
Southwest Arrivals and Baggage Claim
Southwest passengers arriving in Las Vegas normally follow signs from the B or C gates to Terminal 1 baggage claim. Airport display screens show the carousel assigned to each arriving flight. The carousel can change, so use the flight number rather than assuming that Southwest always uses the same claim area.
After collecting luggage, follow signs for passenger pickup, taxis, rideshare services, public buses, hotel shuttles, or the rental-car shuttle. Meeting parties should coordinate a numbered pickup column rather than stopping or waiting at an undesignated curb.
Note: Contact Southwest for delayed or missing checked luggage. Contact the airport’s Lost and Found office for items lost in a terminal, checkpoint, parking area, or other public airport location.
Southwest Routes and Destinations from Las Vegas
Las Vegas is one of Southwest Airlines’ largest operating locations. The airline offers nonstop service from LAS to many cities in the western United States and to major markets across the country. Common examples include Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, Denver, Seattle, Chicago Midway, Dallas Love Field, Washington Reagan, and Honolulu.
Routes and frequencies are not permanent. A destination may operate daily, several days per week, seasonally, or only during a specific schedule period. Travelers should search their exact dates on Southwest’s website rather than relying on a static destination count.
Southwest introduced international nonstop service from Las Vegas in 2026. Its Mexican routes include Cancún, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta. These are all destinations in Mexico. Connecting itineraries may provide access to additional countries, but a connection should not be described as a nonstop flight from Las Vegas.
Note: International passengers must meet passport, entry, and document-verification requirements. Southwest advises international travelers to complete required document verification with an agent or kiosk before the stated deadline.
Southwest Check-in, Assigned Seating, Boarding, and Baggage
Southwest online and mobile check-in generally opens 24 hours before the scheduled departure. Checking in remains important, but it no longer gives passengers the former numbered A, B, or C boarding position.
Southwest transitioned to assigned seating on January 27, 2026. Most passengers can select an eligible seat during booking or manage it later through Southwest’s website or app. Basic-fare passengers are generally assigned a Standard seat at check-in unless they purchase another eligible seat or receive a selection benefit through qualifying status or card membership.
The airline now uses Boarding Groups 1 through 8. A passenger’s group can depend on seat location, fare, Rapid Rewards tier, card benefits, or a purchased boarding option. The seat shown on the boarding pass is the seat the passenger should use after boarding.
| Travel item | Current Southwest procedure |
|---|---|
| Online check-in | Normally opens 24 hours before departure |
| Seating | Assigned seating applies to Southwest flights |
| Basic fare | A Standard seat is generally assigned at check-in unless another seat is purchased or a qualifying benefit applies |
| Boarding order | Groups 1 through 8 rather than the former numbered A/B/C positions |
| Checked bags | Fees or free-bag allowances depend on fare, tier status, eligible card benefits, and other exceptions |
| LAS bag cutoff | At least 45 minutes before scheduled departure |
Bag fees can apply to Basic, Choice, and Choice Preferred fares. Choice Extra and certain Rapid Rewards tier or credit-card benefits may include one or two free checked bags. Size, weight, destination, and partner-airline restrictions can still apply. Review the baggage allowance attached to the reservation rather than assuming that an older Southwest policy remains in effect.
Dining and Shopping Near the Southwest Gates
Terminal 1 has dining and retail choices before and after security, but the available businesses depend on the gate area. A restaurant near the B gates may not be convenient for a passenger departing from the far end of the C gates, especially when boarding is approaching.
Recent airport guidance lists options such as La Familia Tacos & Tequila near Gate B9, Einstein Bros. near B9, Starbucks near B17, Villa Italian Kitchen near C23, and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf locations in the C gates. Choices include coffee, breakfast, quick-service meals, snacks, and alcoholic beverages for adults of legal drinking age.
Retail options include convenience stores, travel essentials, electronics, souvenirs, sweets, and Las Vegas-themed merchandise. Concession names and operating hours can change, and some businesses close before the final flights of the evening. Check the airport’s live dining and shopping directory when a specific restaurant or service is important.
Pro Tip: Buy food and refill a water bottle before walking to a distant gate. Returning to another concourse can take longer than expected during busy periods.
Ground Transportation from Terminal 1
Rideshare Services
Uber and Lyft pick up Terminal 1 passengers on Level 2 of the parking garage. From baggage claim, follow the rideshare signs, take the elevator near Door 2 to Level 2, cross the pedestrian bridge, and continue to the marked pickup area. Rideshare drivers drop departing passengers at the regular Terminal 1 departures curb.
Taxis
Terminal 1 taxis wait on the east side of baggage claim outside doors 1 through 4. Airport personnel normally help organize the taxi queue. Confirm the destination and payment method with the driver before leaving.
RTC Public Buses
The Terminal 1 RTC bus stop is on Level Zero. From baggage claim, take an elevator or escalator down, exit the building, cross the pedestrian crosswalk, and turn toward the covered bus stop. Routes 108, 109, and the Centennial Express, commonly called CX, serve Terminal 1.
Rental Cars
The airport’s Rent-A-Car Center is at 7135 Gilespie Street, approximately three miles south of the terminals. It is not inside Terminal 1. Free rental-car shuttles pick up Terminal 1 passengers outside doors 10 and 11. Allow extra time for the shuttle ride, vehicle pickup, and rental return.
Hotel and Shared Shuttles
Some hotels and commercial operators provide scheduled or on-demand shuttle service. Pickup instructions vary by company, so confirm the terminal, level, door, reservation requirements, and operating hours directly with the provider.
Picking Up a Passenger
Drivers should not wait at the terminal curb. Use the airport’s free Cell Phone Lot until the arriving passenger has collected luggage and reached the pickup area. Coordinate the numbered column or door to make the pickup easier.
Rapid Rewards Benefits for Las Vegas Passengers
Southwest’s Rapid Rewards program allows members to earn points from qualifying flights and participating partners. The number of points earned from a flight depends on the base fare, fare bundle, tier status, and eligible payment method.
Members can redeem points for Southwest flights, and qualifying members may have access to other redemption options such as hotels, rental cars, merchandise, or gift cards. Southwest states that Rapid Rewards points do not expire while the account remains open and that Southwest reward flights do not have blackout dates.
Rapid Rewards A-List, A-List Preferred, Companion Pass, and eligible Southwest card benefits can affect seat selection, boarding group, checked-bag allowance, earning rate, and other parts of the trip. Benefits differ, so travelers should review the rules attached to their account before relying on a specific perk.
Current and Future Southwest Developments at LAS
Southwest continues to treat Las Vegas as a major operating location. In 2026, the airline announced additional flights and schedules extending into 2027, including more service in established domestic markets and new international routes from LAS.
The airport is also updating passenger facilities, digital information, security-wait displays, dining, retail, and lounge options. These projects can temporarily affect walking routes, concession availability, pickup procedures, or gate assignments. Travelers should rely on current airport signage and same-day airline notifications.
Sustainability and operational-efficiency work at LAS includes electric ground-support equipment, gate-side charging infrastructure, and airfield-management technology intended to reduce unnecessary taxi time. These projects may improve airport operations without changing the basic passenger instruction: Southwest check-in and baggage claim remain in Terminal 1, with departures normally using B or C gates.
Packing for a Southwest Flight from Las Vegas
Choose luggage that fits Southwest’s current carry-on size and baggage rules, and keep essential medication, identification, chargers, valuables, and a change of clothing in a carry-on bag. For luggage-selection considerations, see this guide to the best carry-on suitcase with a USB charger.
Portable chargers and spare lithium batteries should remain in carry-on baggage rather than checked luggage. Review current TSA and airline rules before packing because battery, liquid, tool, sporting-equipment, and international restrictions can change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What terminal is Southwest Airlines at Las Vegas Airport?
Southwest Airlines uses Terminal 1 at Harry Reid International Airport. Its ticket counters, bag drop, and arriving-passenger baggage claim are in Terminal 1.
Which gates does Southwest use at LAS?
Southwest normally uses the B and C gates. Check the Southwest app, boarding pass, or airport display screens because the assigned gate can change.
How do I get to Terminal 1 at Harry Reid Airport?
Follow road signs for Terminal 1 and airline ticketing. Rideshare and taxi drivers should be told that the flight is on Southwest at Terminal 1. Drivers should verify the terminal before entering the airport roadway system.
Can I walk from Terminal 3 to Terminal 1?
No public walking route connects the terminals. Use the free inter-terminal shuttle, which normally runs every 20–30 minutes, or follow airport instructions for secure-side tram connections when eligible.
Can I check in online for a Southwest flight from Las Vegas?
Yes. Online and mobile check-in normally open 24 hours before departure. Checking in confirms travel status and provides the boarding pass, but Southwest now uses assigned seating rather than its former numbered boarding-position system.
How early should I arrive for a Southwest flight from LAS?
Plan to arrive about two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. Allow more time during holidays, weekends, major events, and other high-traffic periods.
Does Southwest still offer two free checked bags?
Not for every passenger. Checked-bag fees and free-bag benefits depend on the fare, Rapid Rewards tier, eligible Southwest card benefits, and other exceptions. Review the baggage allowance shown with the reservation.
Are dining and shopping available near the Southwest gates?
Yes. The B and C gates have restaurants, coffee shops, convenience stores, and souvenir retailers. Businesses and operating hours change, so check the airport’s current directory for the nearest open option.
Is TSA PreCheck available for Southwest passengers at LAS?
TSA PreCheck service is available to eligible passengers at LAS, but specific lanes and checkpoint hours can change. Follow current airport signage and confirm that the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on the boarding pass.
Where is Uber or Lyft pickup for Southwest arrivals?
Terminal 1 rideshare pickup is on Level 2 of the parking garage. Follow signs from baggage claim, cross the pedestrian bridge, and continue to the marked pickup area.
Sources
- Southwest Airlines Airport Information — LAS gate areas, check-in timing, amenities, and checked-bag cutoff.
- Harry Reid International Airport Security Guide — checkpoints, recommended arrival times, and security guidance.
- Southwest Assigned Seating — current seat-selection and Boarding Groups 1–8 procedures.
- Southwest Fare Types and Benefits — fare-specific seating, baggage, flexibility, and rewards benefits.
- Harry Reid Airport Ground Transportation — rideshare, taxi, bus, rental-car, and terminal-transfer information.
- Southwest Flights from Las Vegas — current route searches and popular destinations from LAS.
