The Harry Reid International Airport (Former McCarran) is the main air terminal of the fabulous city of Las Vegas and the entire area of Clark County, in the state of Nevada (United States). It may not be as famous as other North American airports like JFK or LAX, but LAS has some features that make it unique.
The city that never sleeps…
Yes, we know… that’s New York’s slogan, but it’s also a perfect fit for Las Vegas. We could say that it is the ideal place to lose the notion of time, where everything works 24 hours a day and it is difficult to know exactly what time of day it is.
Las Vegas is a city where you can breathe a particular air, the natural environment that surrounds the place combined with its buildings create a special atmosphere. Between magical and unreal sometimes. The billboard lights are on all day, but at night they can be overwhelming until you acclimate. Both on Las Vegas Boulevard and downtown, where the older hotels and casinos are.
Regarding beautiful images and good places to have spectacular views, the city of Las Vegas is especially attractive for it. Most of the city is practically flat. With low-rise buildings typical of a residential area. But this profile is abruptly interrupted by gigantic hotels and casinos buildings. As well as towers and the famous Stratosphere, from where you can see the entire city including the airport and all its operations.
The airport
The airport is located south of the city center and within walking distance of the most famous casinos and hotels in Las Vegas. And when we say close we mean close! Surely you have seen images where you can watch both the hotels and the airport. Since Las Vegas Boulevard itself is separated from runway 1 by a few meters.
The former McCarran is the center of operations for companies such as Southwest Airlines or Allegiant Air, among others. Like everything in Las Vegas, it has more than 1,300 slot machines in its facilities. Yes, slot machines are everywhere in Nevada! The airport consists of three terminals through which more than 50 million passengers pass each year. Being one of the busiest in the United States.
To the east of the passenger terminals is the Marnell Air Cargo Center where the main cargo companies such as FedEx or UPS operate. On the west side of the airport, very close to the splendor of the casinos. Also the helicopter companies that offer panoramic tours over the city.
The newly named Harry Reid has four runways (1/19 L/R and 8/26 L/R) to allow nearly simultaneous landings and takeoffs. All runways have instrument approaches (ILS or RNAV), except runway 8L. But wow, runway 8L/26R is a good runway for take-offs; it’s 14,515ft (4,424m) long! You won’t be able to find many runways longer than this.
Las Vegas International Airport also has a corner for aviation fans, it houses the Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum located on the concourse of Level 2. This museum where you can learn about Las Vegas aviation history is accessible free of charge throughout the day and night. Like everything in Vegas.
The scenery by FeelThere
FeelThere has developed this fabulous airport for both X-Plane and Microsoft Flight Simulator, and believe me, in both they have managed to capture that special atmosphere that you find in Las Vegas.
In addition to the great level of detail and the improvements that have been introduced over the default scenario, features such as custom ground lines and buildings, Physically Based Rendering (PBR). Also custom taxiway lighting and apron lights have been incorporated.
Regarding the textures, highly detailed, reflective and realistic textures have also been included. FeelThere places special emphasis on how the scenery lighting will look an important aspect to create the atmosphere of each city or airport.
This fantastic airport is available for X-Plane and MSFS2020 so you can now add it to the list of scenarios in your simulator. Whether flying in a jet from another North American city or flying a helicopter over this magnificent city, the skies of Nevada await you for your next adventure. But remember, what happens in Vegas… you know the rest.
