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 Comparing Carriers
Big-name carrier pricing varies when it comes to economy traveling. While certain airlines may offer cheap flights to Las Vegas, others may offer better accommodations for a little more money. Some may offer cheap flights but charge for luggage, where others could offer a great deal for minors traveling solo or a variety of options for traveling pets.
To give you an idea, here are the domestic airlines that offer flights to and from Vegas at various times throughout the day and their guest accommodations, listed in order of what we found to be the cheapest way to get to Las Vegas.
 With a month’s notice and depending on where you’re coming from, Southwest was among the cheapest flights if you’re traveling to Las Vegas for a week and leaving on a Thursday. In the first quarter of 2009, roundtrip layover flights ranged from $250-415 on the carrier’s Web site. If luggage is something you can’t seem to skimp on, this is the airline for you.
Bags: Your first and second bags are free; the third is $50.
Food: Snacks are free and meals are not offered.
Pets: Small Dogs or Cats $75 each way. (no large animals)
Minor traveling: Children ages 5-11, $25 fee each way.
 With a month’s notice and leaving for a week on a Thursday, Air Tran offered the best deal to and from Las Vegas through its online booking option. Depending on where you’re coming from, flights rang in from $305-320 in the first quarter of 2009. Most flights had a layover each way.
Bags: Air Tran charges $15 for the first bag; $25 for the second; and $100 for the third.
Food: Snacks are $1-4 and a snack combo is $4-6. Meals are not offered.
Pets: Cabin-sized pets are $69. Cargo and checked pets are not offered.
Minor traveling: Depending on layovers and age, minor supervision ranges from $39-59
 For a weeklong trip to Las Vegas and leaving on a Thursday with a month’s notice, Spirit didn’t do too badly in our search for cheap flights. In the first quarter of 2009, flights ranged from $330-$400 for non-stop flights. This carrier also offered a deal on checking luggage.
Bags: Booking online, your first bag costs $19; at the airport it’s $25. Your second bag will cost $25 and your third, $100.
Food: Snacks range from $2-4 and meals are not offered
Pets: Cabin-sized pets cost $100. Cargo and checked pets are not offered.
Minor traveling: Spirit offers minor supervision for 5- to 11-year-olds for $100
Northwest Airlines, Delta and U.S. Airways
 These 3 airlines all brought in roughly the same results for roundtrip flights to and from Las Vegas with a month’s notice and leaving on a Thursday. Flights ranged from $350-450, some non-stop, in the first quarter of 2009. All three offered similar accommodations, too.
Bags: All three airlines charge $15 for the first bag and $25 for the second. U.S. Airways charges $100 for the third; Northwest and Delta charge $125.
Food: Snacks range from $0-5 and meals range from $3-8. Delta had the cheapest food accommodations.
Pets: Cabin-sized pets cost $100 flying Delta and U.S. Airways and $150 flying Northwest. U.S. Airways does not offer cargo or checked pets, but both Northwest and Delta will check your pet for $275 or let them ride cargo for $168-689, depending on size.
Minor traveling: For minors aged 5-14 years old, all three carriers offer supervision for $100.
Continental and American Airlines
 Neither of these 2 airlines had the best deals on flights in the first quarter of 2009, but both seemed to follow the same trends as other popular carriers.
Bags: Both airlines charge $15 for the first bag; $25 for the second; and $100 for the third.
Food: Continental offers free snacks and meals, depending on the duration of your flight. American Airlines offers snacks for $3-6 or a sandwich combo for $10.
Pets: Cabin-sized pet traveling is $100 flying American Airlines or $125 flying Continental. American Airlines offers checked pets for $150, but no cargo traveling. Continental offers cargo traveling for $149-659, depending on size.
Minor traveling: American Airlines will supervise your 5- to 14-year-old child for $100; Continental will do it for $75-100, depending on layovers and age.
All the listed airlines provide luggage, pet, food, minor traveling and seating details and restrictions on their Web sites. A two-bag carry-on rule applies to all. And every listed carrier offers cash beverages. Upon booking be sure to review offered accommodations either online or over the phone before getting to the airport. There is much to be read in the fine print.
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