Two more airlines moving into new $2.4 billion Terminal 3
The wide-open spaces of McCarran International Airport's Terminal 3 will look more lived-in starting today, as United Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines move their check-in and baggage claim operations from Terminal 1.
United, the airport's second-largest carrier at 2 million passengers for the first half of this year, is slightly larger than the combined five domestic carriers that made the switch to T3 last month. Both United and Hawaiian will continue to park planes at Concourse D gates, which is connected to T3 by an underground tram.
For passengers who accidentally wind up at T1 out of habit, a shuttle bus runs every few minutes between the two terminals. Or, people with boarding passes in hand and only carryon bags can continue to pass through security at T1 and take a tram to the D gates.
The 1.9-million-square-foot T3, which cost $2.4 billion, opened June 27 when foreign airlines cut the ribbon. The only step remaining in the process will come at an unspecified date, when McCarran management expects to lock up the economy parking lot north of T1. At that time, the lowest-priced parking will be on the surface lots east of the T3 garage and north of the one at T1.
Contact reporter Tim O'Reiley at toreiley@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5290.
