Is a 40 min layover in Las Vegas long enough?

LAS · Mc Carran International · Las Vegas, United States
It Depends

A 40 minutes layover at LAS (Las Vegas) is tight — it may or may not be enough.

Workable only for same-terminal, same-concourse connections with no lines at security.
Concourses
2
Max Transit
25m
Avg. Security
20m
Primary Hub
Southwest Airlines
Domestic → Domestic
45min
✗
Domestic → International
60min
✗
International → Domestic
90min
✗
International → International
90min
✗
AD PLACEMENT — CONTEXTUAL
If your connection spans Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, budget extra time for the tram ride plus walking distances within each concourse.
International arrivals into Terminal 3 require a full Customs and Border Protection process, so build in at least 90 minutes if connecting onward.
Southwest passengers connecting within Terminal 1 (Concourses B and C) generally have the shortest walk of any pairing at LAS.
Check your gate as soon as you land since Spirit, Southwest, and international carriers can be assigned gates far apart within the same concourse.
Use the tram rather than walking between terminals since the outdoor/indoor walking path is considerably longer and less predictable.
12a6a12p6p12a
Low risk
Moderate
High risk
Tight connections are safer outside peak hours. Morning rush (6–9a), midday (11a–2p), and evening (4–8p) are highest risk.
An automated tram links Terminal 1's Concourses A, B, and C with Terminal 3's Concourse D, with the full ride plus walking taking up to 20-25 minutes end to end during busy periods. International arrivals at Terminal 3 must clear US Customs and Border Protection before rechecking bags and proceeding to a connecting flight, which adds significant time regardless of which terminal the next flight departs from.
Is 40 minutes enough for a layover at Mc Carran International (LAS)?

Workable only for same-terminal, same-concourse connections with no lines at security.

What is the minimum connection time at LAS?

Minimum connection times at Mc Carran International: Domestic-to-Domestic is 45 minutes, International-to-International is 90 minutes. These are the shortest layovers airlines will sell.

Can I make a 40 minutes connection at LAS on an international flight?

40 minutes is below the 90-minute international MCT at Mc Carran International. You may need to rush and could miss your connection. An automated tram links Terminal 1's Concourses A, B, and C with Terminal 3's Concourse D, with the full ride plus walking taking up to 20-25 minutes end to end during busy periods. International arrivals at Terminal 3 must clear US Customs and Border Protection before rechecking bags and proceeding to a connecting flight, which adds significant time regardless of which terminal the next flight departs from.

How much time do I need for a layover at LAS?

We recommend at least 50 minutes for a comfortable connection at Mc Carran International. This gives you enough buffer for security (typically 20 minutes) and transit between terminals (up to 25 minutes).

What happens if I miss my connection at LAS?

If you miss your connection, go to your airline's service desk near the gate or in the terminal (Southwest and Spirit have dedicated rebooking counters) since LAS has heavy leisure traffic and same-day alternatives are often available, especially on Southwest's frequent Las Vegas schedule.

AD PLACEMENT — BEFORE FOOTER