Terminal 1

Two hours isn’t crazy for Terminal 1 at LAS

Southwest, American, Delta, Frontier, and Allegiant all run from Terminal 1, and the building shows its age. Check-in for Southwest can back up across the hall, and TSA lines in this terminal regularly hit 30–60 minutes on busy Thursday–Monday mornings. Regulars treat two hours as a normal buffer and bump that to three hours on big fight or convention weekends.

A/B vs C/D: same terminal, different worlds

A and B gates in Terminal 1 handle a lot of Allegiant, Frontier, and some Southwest, while C and D gates carry most Southwest and the bigger mix of shops and food. You cannot move between A/B and C/D without going landside and re-clearing security, even though everything is labeled “Terminal 1.” A same-airline connection from B25 to D35 can still mean two full TSA cycles and a missed flight if you cut it close.

Trams, walking times, and the “where am I” problem

The C and D concourses sit off the main building and rely on tram rides from Terminal 1 after security. One FlyerTalk user clocked the walk from the C-gates tram exit to the far D 50s at about 10–12 minutes at a normal pace, not counting the tram wait itself. Signs to the D gates tram are easy to miss, especially near baggage claim and the casino area, so read the overhead boards carefully before you hop on the wrong train.

Security strategy: PreCheck, CLEAR, and which entrance to pick

General security for Terminal 1 can spill back toward check-in, particularly near the A/B checkpoint by the Southwest counters. Travelers with TSA PreCheck or CLEAR do better using the lanes closest to the C/D side, which frequent flyers say runs faster than the A/B queues even when both are long. If you’re connecting from a US domestic flight and have to move between A/B and C/D, plan for 45 minutes just to exit, re-screen, and ride the tram.

Food near A and B gates: quick and basic

Once you clear the A/B side, options cluster around the lower gate numbers. Near A7 you’ll see Dunkin’ Express and The B Lounge, with Snack Shack by A3 and a Moe’s Southwest Grill by A15 for burritos and tacos. Over at B gates, Starbucks at B17, Port of Subs/Mrs. Fields at B25, and Tacos Locos plus the Gaming Lounge at B15 carry most of the load; prices are standard airport-high, but lines at Starbucks can run 15–20 minutes during morning bank departures.

C and D concourses: better food, more crowds

Most regulars head toward the C/D food court area after clearing security, even if they’re departing from A or B and have time to spare. Chili’s Grill & Bar around D35 and Ruby’s Diner on the concourse give you full meals, with Fresh Attractions and various grab-and-go coolers scattered between C and D for sandwiches and salads. If your boarding pass shows a D gate, build in 20–30 extra minutes from check-in to account for security plus the tram and a possible wait at Chili’s or Ruby’s.

Lounges: D concourse is where the good stuff lives

The Club LAS in the D concourse is the main Priority Pass option for Terminal 1 travelers, and points fans use it as a sit-down meal and work stop instead of buying food in the hallway. The American Airlines Admirals Club, Delta Sky Club, and United Club for Terminal 1 carriers also sit near the C/D side rather than A/B, while the Centurion Lounge for Amex cardholders is landside but closest to Terminal 3. If you’re flying Southwest from D gates and have Priority Pass, it’s usually worth checking The Club’s capacity board before committing to a paid restaurant.

Shops, souvenirs, and last-minute tech

Terminal 1 leans into Vegas merch, with Ethel M Chocolates and the Welcome to Las Vegas Store stocking neon-logo items, boxed chocolates, and shot glasses. You’ll also find the Vegas Knights Team Store for Golden Knights gear and The Strip Market for snacks a step up from standard candy racks. For basics, Hudson and ABC Stores cover magazines and water, while InMotion Entertainment and Lifestyle & Tech stock last-minute headphones, chargers, and travel adapters that easily hit $30–$50.

Quiet corners, smoking rooms, and seating hacks

Midday, C1–C5 often runs noticeably calmer than the main D concourse, and some flyers walk over just to sit and charge before heading back to a D gate flight. There’s a down-escalator tucked behind the C-gates food court leading to an underused seating level with extra outlets and fewer crowds. Smoking rooms still exist near B and C, but reviewers say they’re extremely smoky, and the odor can trail into the nearby walkways.

What regulars actually do and one final tip

Frequent Southwest flyers avoid checking bags and avoid tight self-made connections that bounce between B and D or A and C, since a missed bag drop or long TSA line kills the plan. Many aim for flights coded to D gates because the food and lounge options are stronger than A/B, then head straight to the C/D food court or The Club LAS instead of lingering near their gate. One practical move: as soon as your flight is booked, check the gate range in the app; if you’re stuck in A/B with time to kill, eat in C/D first, then head back through security only once on departure day.