Are McCarran and Harry Reid Airport the Same? | Name Change

Yes—Las Vegas’ main airport kept the same location and LAS code; only the public name shifted to honor Senator Harry Reid.

“Are McCarran and Harry Reid Airport the Same?” gets asked a lot because flights, maps, ride-share apps, and old habits don’t all update at once. If you’re booking a trip to Las Vegas, the core answer is simple: it’s one airport. Still, the name swap can trip you up when you’re checking tickets, finding the right terminal, or matching directions with a friend who still calls it McCarran.

This page clears up the confusion in plain terms. You’ll learn what changed, what stayed the same, and how to double-check you’re headed to the right place without overthinking it.

Why Two Names Show Up For One Las Vegas Airport

Airports carry names in a bunch of places at once: airline booking systems, baggage tags, navigation apps, local road signs, news articles, and plain old conversation. When an airport gets renamed, those places don’t flip in sync.

So you’ll still see “McCarran” in older travel posts, in some saved contacts, and even in the way locals talk. At the same time, newer signs, websites, and flight tools use “Harry Reid International Airport.” Both are pointing to the same terminals and the same runways on the south end of the Strip.

What The Rename Actually Means

The rename is a public branding change. It affects the official name on signage, websites, and paperwork. It does not move the airport, change its three-letter code, or create a second commercial airport for Las Vegas. When your boarding pass says LAS, you’re headed to the same place travelers used to call McCarran.

When The Switch Happened

The airport’s owner and operator, Clark County’s aviation team, rolled out the new name in 2021. Their newsroom announcement makes it clear that LAS remains the commercial airport serving Southern Nevada, now under the Harry Reid name. Southern Nevada’s commercial airport officially renamed Harry Reid International Airport.

Are McCarran and Harry Reid Airport the Same? What To Tell Your Travel Group

Here’s the easiest script to use with friends or family: “It’s the same airport. The name changed. Keep looking for LAS on tickets.” That one line solves most mix-ups.

Then add one more detail if someone’s anxious about directions: “Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 are still there, and the airport is still right by I-15 and the Strip.” That’s it. No extra trivia needed at the curb.

Common Situations That Cause Confusion

• Ride-share pickup texts: Someone says “I’m at McCarran” while the app says “Harry Reid.” Same curb, same pickup zones.
• Old hotel shuttle sheets: Some printed material still uses the older name, especially if it hasn’t been reprinted.
• Saved map pins: A phone may keep an older label, even when the location pin is correct.
• Search results: Articles written before 2021 still rank and still use the older name.

What Stayed The Same After The Name Change

If you care about the stuff that affects your trip, most of it stayed steady. The airport’s location, layout, and airline operations didn’t shift because of the rename. Your taxi driver won’t take you to a different city. Your airline won’t send you to a second “new” airport in Las Vegas.

LAS Is Still The Code You Want

On tickets, baggage tags, and airline apps, the three-letter code is the anchor. For Las Vegas, that code is LAS. You can ignore the name on the screen and follow the code when you’re comparing flights or confirming where you’re landing.

Terminal 1 And Terminal 3 Still Do The Same Jobs

Travelers sometimes think the rename came with a terminal shuffle. It didn’t. Terminal 1 still handles a large share of domestic flights. Terminal 3 still hosts many international flights and a mix of domestic service. Airlines can move between terminals over time, so the smart move is to check your airline’s terminal in your booking or app a day or two before you fly.

Roads And Directions Still Lead To The Same Entrances

Whether your driver says “McCarran” or “Reid,” you’ll still take the same approaches off I-15 and surface streets. If you’re using a map app, confirm you’re routing to the terminal you need, not just “the airport.” That keeps you from circling when you’re tight on time.

What Changed In Practice: Names, Signs, And Search Habits

The day-to-day changes are mostly about labels. You’ll see the new name on highway signs, in official airport messaging, and in most flight tools. Old references still linger in casual speech, and they’ll fade as new travelers build new habits.

One detail that can surprise first-timers: some third-party sites update slowly. A parking reservation tool, a shuttle vendor, or a travel blog might keep “McCarran” in its UI even when it’s linking to the right place. Treat the name like a nickname, then verify by terminal, code, and address.

Item	Before	Now
Public airport name	McCarran International Airport	Harry Reid International Airport
Three-letter code	LAS	LAS
Physical location	Las Vegas Valley, near the Strip	Same location
Main passenger terminals	Terminal 1, Terminal 3	Terminal 1, Terminal 3
Airline check-in and gates	Assigned by airline and concourse	Assigned by airline and concourse
Ground transport basics	Taxis, ride-share, shuttles, rental cars	Same options
Search terms that work	“McCarran,” “LAS,” “Las Vegas airport”	“Harry Reid,” “LAS,” “Las Vegas airport”
What to verify before leaving	Terminal + airline + pickup zone	Terminal + airline + pickup zone

How To Book Flights Without Getting Burned

When you search flights, you’ll see different labels depending on the site. Some show the old name in a small line under the new name. Some show only the new name. Don’t let that throw you.

Use The Code First, Then The Terminal

Start with LAS. That’s your destination or departure code for the main Las Vegas airport. After you book, check the terminal and concourse in your airline app. If you’re meeting someone, share the terminal number and the exact door or column number if you have it.

Watch For Look-Alike Airports In The Region

Las Vegas has other airports in the area, including Henderson Executive and North Las Vegas, plus smaller fields. Most vacation flights still use LAS, but private flights and some special charters can use different airports. If you’re booking anything unusual, confirm the airport code on the itinerary line by line.

Maps, Ride-Share, And Drop-Off: Getting The Right Curb

Airport names matter less than the last two miles of your drive. That’s where most mistakes happen: someone gets dropped at the wrong terminal and has to do a time-wasting loop.

Pick The Terminal In Your Map App

Many map apps list “Terminal 1 Departures” and “Terminal 3 Departures” as separate destinations. Pick the terminal that matches your airline. If you’re not sure, route to the general airport entrance, then switch to the terminal once you confirm it.

Confirm Pickup Zones Before You Land

Ride-share pickups can be in garages or designated areas that feel far from baggage claim. Text your driver the terminal and follow the airport’s posted directions once you’re on the ground. If your app shows “Harry Reid” and your driver says “McCarran,” don’t sweat it. You’re still meeting at LAS.

If you want a straight government source that uses the current name and identifier, the FAA’s listing for LAS uses “Harry Reid Intl” and ties it to the KLAS field. FAA aerodrome details for LAS.

Task	Best check	Why it helps
Confirm you picked the right airport	LAS code on ticket	Codes don’t drift with branding
Choose the right approach road	Terminal 1 vs Terminal 3 in maps	Prevents last-minute loops
Meet friends cleanly	Terminal + door/column	Names vary by person
Find your rental car plan	Reservation email + airport signs	Parking and shuttles shift over time
Plan timing for departures	Airline app + security wait estimates	Lines change by day and hour
Handle late arrivals	Official airport alerts	Keeps you aligned on curb rules
Avoid wrong pickup terminal	Screenshot your terminal info	Works even with weak signal

What Locals Mean When They Say “McCarran”

In Las Vegas, “McCarran” still functions like a nickname. Many residents used it for decades, and habits stick. If you hear it in a taxi or at a hotel desk, treat it the way you treat “the Strip” or “downtown.” It’s a shorthand, not a different destination.

If you want to keep things smooth, mirror the other person’s wording in the moment. Then use LAS when you need precision, like on a reservation, a text to a driver, or a screenshot shared with your group.

A Simple Pre-Flight Checklist For Las Vegas Travelers

When you’re juggling bags and time, you want a short list that prevents the two classic mistakes: picking the wrong terminal and wasting time hunting for pickup areas.

• Check your ticket line for LAS.
• Open your airline app and note the terminal and gate.
• Route to Terminal 1 or Terminal 3, not just “airport.”
• If you’re meeting someone, share terminal plus a door or column reference.
• For ride-share, follow posted signs to the pickup zone even if it feels indirect.
• Save a screenshot of terminal details in case your signal drops.

The One-Sentence Answer You Can Trust

McCarran and Harry Reid refer to the same Las Vegas airport. If your booking says LAS, you’re set. From there, the only thing that matters is getting to the right terminal at the right time.