3 hrs connecting time for immigration control & luggage?

Question

Hi everyone. My daughter will be flying from our country to Heathrow, then to Las Vegas, where she'll have to go through immigration, and then to SFO (with Alaska Airlines), arriving on Saturday at around midnight. She'll have an almost 3 hour connection time at Las Vegas, where she'll have to go through immigration. We're hoping she won't have to pick up her luggage at Terminal 3 and then have to check it in again, but I'm not sure, as British Airways has given us conflicting messages. So, we'd appreciate it if you could help us with the following:

-Is the connecting time enough? Are there huge queues at the immigration checkpoints on Saturday evening?

-Does anyone know if she'll be able to check her luggage through all the way to SFO rather than have to pick it up again?

-In case she misses her flight she'll have to spend the night in LV, but she's 19; does anyone know if she's allowed to stay at a hotel alone at this age?

-Las Vegas airport is not a hub for British Airways, and we're very concerned about what will happen if she misses her flight, especially if the flight from Heathrow is not delayed, but the immigration check takes a lot of time, her luggage is delayed etc. Can she ask e.g. the immigration officers to give her a confirmation that she had to wait in queue for a long time, so as to be able to request (from Alaska Airlines or BA, not sure), for them to place her on the next available flight? Does anyone have experience with this?

Of course we're hoping that all go well, but better be prepared, especially since she'll be exhausted and sleepless...

Thank you and have a great new year!

Answer

It sounds like you’re planning carefully for your daughter’s connection in Las Vegas, and it’s great that you’re preparing for all possibilities. Here’s a detailed answer to your concerns:

Is the connecting time enough? Are there huge queues at the immigration checkpoints on Saturday evening?
Three hours is generally enough time for an international connection at Las Vegas McCarran Airport (LAS), especially if it’s a single ticket (e.g., through British Airways and Alaska Airlines). However, the time required to go through immigration and security can vary depending on the time of day and the volume of passengers. On Saturday evening, immigration queues can be quite long due to weekend travel, so while 3 hours is typically adequate, it's always good to be prepared for potential delays. On average, the immigration process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour, but it could be longer depending on how busy the airport is at the time.
Will she be able to check her luggage through to SFO?
In most cases, if both flights (British Airways and Alaska Airlines) are on the same ticket, your daughter should be able to check her luggage through all the way to San Francisco (SFO). However, since British Airways isn’t a hub in Las Vegas, you should confirm this with both airlines ahead of time. If the baggage is not checked through, she will need to pick it up at LAS, go through customs, and re-check it for the Alaska Airlines flight. You can reach out to British Airways and Alaska Airlines directly to confirm their policies regarding luggage transfers at LAS.
If she misses her flight, will she be able to stay at a hotel alone at this age?
At 19, your daughter is legally an adult, so she is allowed to stay in a hotel on her own. Most hotels in Las Vegas don’t have an age restriction for check-in, though it’s always best to confirm with the specific hotel where she would be staying. Additionally, the airport’s customer service or Alaska Airlines can help arrange for a hotel in case of an overnight delay, but it's essential to communicate with the airline right away.
If she misses her flight due to delays in immigration, can she ask for a confirmation to request rebooking on the next available flight?
Yes, if she misses her flight because of long immigration queues or other delays, she can ask the immigration officers for a delay confirmation. This document can be helpful if she needs to explain the delay to either British Airways or Alaska Airlines in order to request rebooking on the next available flight. Airlines are generally accommodating when there are legitimate delays like this, but it’s best to act quickly and keep all documentation, including boarding passes and any notices from immigration officers. It’s also advisable to have the airline’s customer service contact information ready so she can request assistance in rebooking as soon as possible.

Overall, three hours should be sufficient, but it's always better to have a backup plan in case of delays. To minimize the chances of missing the connection, your daughter should keep an eye on the time, stay in close communication with the airlines, and get through immigration as quickly as possible. You might also want to confirm with both airlines regarding baggage transfer policies to avoid unnecessary delays.

We hope everything goes smoothly, but it's great that you’re planning ahead just in case! Safe travels to your daughter, and best of luck with the connection!