Cancellations and long wait times at Harry Reid International Airport increase demand for road travel alternatives
LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Flight cancellations and delays at Harry Reid International Airport are pushing more travelers to rental cars as an alternative to waiting for rescheduled flights.
Travelers Turn to the Road
At the airport’s car rental shuttle, frustrated passengers said they opted to drive rather than wait hours—or even days—for the next available flight.
Claudia Kilbride, a Las Vegas real estate agent, said her weekend travel plans had been thrown into chaos.
“Yesterday I was in New York City and my flight got canceled. I had to rebook. And then when you got on the plane, it took over an hour just to take off,” Kilbride said.
She and her friends now plan to rent cars for their trip to Los Angeles, calling flying “not a good option right now.”
“It’s something that is inconvenient because the plane is 45 minutes late. But now you have to wait two hours just to get on the runway,” she added.
Car Rental Demand on the Rise
Rental car companies say they’ve noticed a spike in bookings as flight disruptions continue.
Avis Car Rental said in a statement that they have been “seeing an increase in one-way rental activity as airlines adjust flight schedules and travelers explore alternative ways to reach their destinations.”
At the airport’s Rent-A-Car Center, shuttles depart every 15 minutes, but wait times and congestion can vary due to traffic, special events, and delayed flights.
Travel Tips Amid Disruptions
Officials are urging travelers to:
- Reserve rental cars early, as demand continues to rise.
- Check flight status frequently through airline websites or mobile apps.
- Consider alternative travel options, especially if rental desks or shuttles are full.
With airlines still struggling to manage flight delays and cancellations, many travelers are finding that hitting the road is the fastest way to keep their plans on track.
