Southwest Airlines flies from Terminal 1 at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas. Southwest check-in, security and baggage claim are all in Terminal 1, and Southwest flights depart from the B and C gates. Southwest does not use Terminal 3.
- Terminal: Terminal 1
- Gates: B and C gates
- Main security checkpoint: C Gates checkpoint (3:05 a.m. to 10 p.m.), 24-hour C/D checkpoint
- Baggage claim: Terminal 1
- Uber/Lyft pickup: Terminal 1 garage, Level 2
- Taxi: Outside Terminal 1 baggage claim, doors 1 to 4
- Nearest lounge: Chase Sapphire Lounge near gate C23
Southwest Terminal at Las Vegas Airport: Terminal 1 vs Terminal 3
Harry Reid International Airport, formerly known as McCarran, has two passenger terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. There is no Terminal 2. The two buildings sit apart from each other, with separate access roads, parking garages, check-in counters and security checkpoints.
If you are looking for the Southwest terminal at Las Vegas airport, head straight for Terminal 1. Southwest shares this terminal with a handful of other carriers, while a longer list of airlines, including every international carrier at LAS, operates out of Terminal 3.
- Terminal 1: Southwest, Allegiant, American, Delta, Sun Country
- Terminal 3: United, Alaska, Frontier, JetBlue, Hawaiian, Breeze, Contour and all international airlines
If a friend is dropping you off, just tell them "Terminal 1." Arriving at Terminal 3 by mistake means either a landside shuttle ride between terminals or driving back around, since the two buildings are not connected by a walkway.
Arriving at Terminal 1 for a Southwest Departure
Rideshare and private vehicles drop passengers off at the Terminal 1 departures curb. This is the same curb used for Uber and Lyft drop-offs.
Once inside, you can check in using the Southwest app or at the kiosks and counters in Terminal 1. If you are checking bags, the bag drop counters are also located in Terminal 1.
For timing, the general airport guidance is to arrive 2 hours before a domestic flight. Give yourself extra buffer on busy travel days, such as Friday and Sunday afternoons, or during major event weekends in Las Vegas, when lines tend to build up faster than usual.
One change worth knowing before you fly: Southwest moved to assigned seating starting in January 2026, so your boarding process will look different than it did in the past. Southwest also charges for checked bags on most fares bought since May 2025, so check Southwest's bag policy before you pack.
Security Checkpoints for Southwest Gates
Terminal 1 has three TSA checkpoints, and all three lead to Southwest's gates. Which one you use depends on your gate and the time of day.
- C Gates (Southwest Airlines): 3:05 a.m. to 10 p.m. — main checkpoint for Southwest's C gates
- A/B Gates: 3:15 a.m. to 1 a.m. — serves B gates
- C/D Gates: open 24 hours — use outside C Gates checkpoint hours; also leads to the D gates tram
If your flight departs before 3:05 a.m. or after 10 p.m., use the 24-hour C/D checkpoint instead of the main C Gates checkpoint. Checkpoint hours can shift, so check the official current security wait times page on the day you fly.
Getting to Your Southwest Gate: B Gates, C Gates and the Trams
Once you clear security, getting to your gate is straightforward. The B gates are reachable on foot. The C gates can also be reached on foot, through the connection between the A and B rotundas, or by taking the Green Line tram.
LAS runs three underground tram lines:
- Green Line: Terminal 1 to C gates
- Blue Line: Terminal 1 to D gates
- Red Line: D gates to Terminal 3
Connecting at LAS on Southwest
All gates at LAS are connected airside, so you will not need to clear security again when moving between gate areas, including a trip out to the D gates. Budget roughly 15 to 25 minutes between the most distant gates, factoring in tram time.
Lounges Near Southwest Gates at LAS
Southwest has no lounge of its own at LAS, or anywhere else, but every public lounge at the airport is reachable airside from Southwest's B and C gates.
The closest option is the Chase Sapphire Lounge, located near gate C23. The rest of the lounges sit at the D gates, a short tram ride away without leaving security.
- Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club: C gates, near gate C23 — 4:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. — Chase Sapphire Reserve and select Chase cards; Priority Pass once per calendar year
- The Club LAS: D gates, Level 2, near gate D33 — 5 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. — Priority Pass; day pass available (about $55 at time of writing)
- The Centurion Lounge: D gates, opposite gate D1 — 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. — Amex Platinum, Business Platinum, Centurion
- Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge: D gates, next to the Centurion Lounge — 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. — same Amex cards as Centurion Lounge
- Capital One Lounge: D gates atrium, Level 2, near gate D50 — 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. — Capital One Venture X and other eligible cards
- United Club: D gates, Level 3, between D33 and D35 — 4:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. — United Club members, Star Alliance rules; day pass with same-day boarding pass
No lounge at LAS is open 24 hours, and there is no Delta Sky Club or American Admirals Club at the airport.
Lounge access rules and prices change, so check before you fly.
Flying Southwest without a lounge card? Book lounge access at Harry Reid (LAS) in advance and skip the guesswork at the door.
Landing on Southwest: Baggage Claim, Taxis and Rideshare
Southwest arrivals collect their bags at Terminal 1 baggage claim.
For a taxi, head outside baggage claim on the east side, near doors 1 to 4.
For Uber or Lyft, follow these steps:
- From baggage claim, take the elevator near Door 2 up to Level 2.
- Cross the pedestrian bridge into the parking garage.
- Your pickup area is to the right.
Before you get in, run through the SAMI checklist: stop, ask the driver "What's my name?", match the make, model and plate, and inform a friend of your ride details.
Other ways to leave the airport include:
- Rental car shuttles to the Rent-A-Car Center
- Hotel shuttles
- RTC public buses
- Pre-booked private transfers
Note that the Las Vegas Monorail does not reach the airport, and the Strip itself is about 5 miles away.
Want someone waiting for you at Terminal 1? Book Meet & Greet at Las Vegas airport and get help from the gate to your ride.
FAQ: Southwest at Las Vegas Airport
Is Southwest in Terminal 1 or Terminal 3 in Las Vegas?
Southwest Airlines operates entirely out of Terminal 1 at Harry Reid International Airport. Check-in, security and baggage claim for Southwest flights are all located there. Southwest does not use Terminal 3 for any part of its operation at LAS.
What gates does Southwest use at Las Vegas airport?
Southwest flights depart from the B and C gates in Terminal 1. The C gates serve as Southwest's main concourse. Your specific gate will appear on your boarding pass, the Southwest app, and airport departure screens.
What other airlines are in Terminal 1 at Las Vegas?
Terminal 1 also hosts Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Sun Country Airlines. All other carriers at LAS, including every international airline, operate from Terminal 3. Check the official airline list for the most current breakdown.
How early should I get to Las Vegas airport for a Southwest flight?
Airport guidance recommends arriving 2 hours before a domestic flight. Add extra time on Friday and Sunday afternoons or during major event weekends, when lines can take longer.
Can I get from Southwest gates to Terminal 3 without leaving security?
Yes. All gates at LAS, including the B and C gates used by Southwest, are connected airside. You can reach the D gates or Terminal 3 using the airport's tram system without clearing security again.
Is there a Southwest lounge at Las Vegas airport?
No, Southwest does not operate a lounge at LAS or any other airport. However, every public lounge at LAS, including the Chase Sapphire Lounge near gate C23, is reachable airside from Southwest's gates.
Is there a Delta Sky Club or Admirals Club at Las Vegas airport?
No. Harry Reid International Airport has no Delta Sky Club and no American Admirals Club. The lounges open to most travelers are the Chase Sapphire Lounge near gate C23, The Club LAS (Priority Pass or day pass), the Amex Centurion Lounge, the Capital One Lounge and the United Club.
Where do Uber and Lyft pick up at Terminal 1 in Las Vegas?
Uber and Lyft pickup is on Level 2 of the Terminal 1 parking garage. From baggage claim, take the elevator near Door 2 up to Level 2, cross the pedestrian bridge, and your pickup point is to the right.
Southwest at Las Vegas Airport: The Short Version
Southwest flies out of Terminal 1 at Harry Reid International Airport, using the B and C gates. See all ComfortPass services at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS).
Sources: Harry Reid International Airport (official website), Southwest Airlines.