Flying from Las Vegas: what you need to know
Harry Reid International (formerly McCarran) is one of the best-connected domestic airports in the country, but here's the thing most people miss — Las Vegas is almost always cheaper as a destination than as a departure point. Airlines price inbound seats to fill casino resorts; outbound leisure fares don't get the same subsidy.
That said, domestic options are excellent. Southwest has a large base at LAS, Frontier and Spirit compete aggressively, and legacy carriers run frequent service to all major cities. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Phoenix are all under $100 roundtrip on sale — sometimes under $50 on Spirit or Frontier.
International service is more limited than you'd expect for a city of this tourism volume. British Airways runs a direct London route, and Condor serves Frankfurt seasonally. Volaris and VivaAerobus cover Mexico. But for most international destinations, you'll be connecting through LAX, SFO, or DFW.
The Hawaii connection is strong. Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest, and others compete on LAS-HNL and LAS-OGG routes, with roundtrips that occasionally dip below $300.
Mexico routes from Las Vegas are a solid value play. Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, and Cancún are well-served with roundtrips frequently under $200. The Cabo route in particular benefits from heavy competition — multiple carriers fight for weekend warrior traffic.
Cheapest outbound window: Tuesday-Thursday departures, avoiding major conventions and fight weekends. September and January offer the best overall fare environment.