Las Vegas to get new high tech Terminal Three

FRIDAY, JUNE 22: Las Vegas ranks right up there as the most popular destination of non-gateway US cities for Bermuda residents.

I’ve had to make the trudge from and to the far end of the airport for its late night flights.

Las Vegas’ McCarron Airport will open a new high tech terminal on Wednesday that may make some travellers think they’ve hit the jackpot.

But if you’re the type who likes to avoid technology, you may feel like you’ve bet it all on black and it’s come up red.

The $2.4 billion Terminal 3, affectionately dubbed T3, will replace the outdated Terminal 2.

It will house 14 gates and will have a decidedly European feel to it.

You can almost completely bypass dealing with any airline officials prior to boarding.

Electronic kiosks will print your boarding passes.

You can then print out your own baggage tags (after paying the appropriate fees by swiping your credit card, of course).

And even at the gate you can scan your boarding pass and a turnstile will unlock, allowing you to board the plane.

Don’t worry, you’ll still be able to drop some serious coin while waiting to board your flight as nearly 300 slot machines will be there like sirens trying to lure those last fistful of dollars away from you.

New jet bridges will allow those planes that have that capability to load from the front and the rear at the same time.

While the old Terminal 2 had a dearth of restaurants, T3 will have several new ones and retail outlets.

If you’re flying Southwest (AirTran), US Airways, Delta and American, you’re out of luck as they will stay housed in Terminal 1.

JetBlue won’t make the switch to T3 until July 31 as the airport is phasing in airlines in three steps.

I’ve never had a taxi problem at McCaron, but airport officials are hoping it will help ease congestion as it will have its own taxi stand.

Seatsale

British Airways is celebrating 75 years of service to Bermuda with a seat sale to London.

BA first started coming to Bermuda in June ‘37 as Imperial Airways. As my colleague Sarah Lagan, pointed out earlier in Wednesday’s Bermuda Sun, fares in World Traveller economy begin from $975 which includes all taxes and fees. The sale starts today and runs for seven days, ending June 27.

Customers can travel outbound between June 27, 2012 and August 23, 2012, giving them an opportunity to visit London in the summer.

Fares in World Traveller Plus, the airline’s premium economy, begin from $1,675 and includes all taxes and fees.

Roundtrip fares in World Traveller and World Traveller Plus must be booked seven days in advance. Weekend travel is an additional $50 roundtrip. Minimum stay is Saturday night and changes can be made for $275. Seats are subject to availability. Tickets can be booked though local travel agents, by phoning the toll-free number, 1 800 AIRWAYS, or by visiting the website at www.ba.com.