Virgin to Delta transfer at LAS

Advice please....
Booked 2 G's from LHR to LAS. Connecting to SFO on Delta.
I've left 2h 30mins between connections. As the flights are on separate bookings think I'll have to collect bags and go through customs and then change terminals.

Have I left enough time? Any advice on a quick transfer much appreciated.

To be clear: you’d have to clear immigration, collect bags, clear customs, recheck bags, change terminals and reclear security regardless of whether you’re on separate tickets.

LAS is not really designed as a hub and the landside connection between terminals isn’t great (an infrequent free bus or a cab basically). Personally 2’30” is pushing it: you’ll be fine if VS is on time, immigration isn’t too bad at T3 and the queue for the TSA at T1 isn’t too long, but if you’re delayed at any point it could be tight. Having Global Entry would help considerably.

If not, I’d have a plan B. US airlines do tend to be kinder to people who miss flights and just put them on the next one if there’s space. But don’t count on it.

It might not seem like it, but all the terminals at LAS are connected airside. If you can travel HBO, you can clear security at T3, take a tram to the D gates then another tram to the main (ABC) terminal. This is WAY quicker than schlepping to T1 landide and rechecking.

I dont know if Delta have a re-check desk after immigration at T3 - if not, and you have luggage, you will have to transfer, presumably on a bus - I would say this is tight but doable, depending on T1 security, which is massively variable...

Connecting to Delta at LAS is pretty quick and straightforward.

Passport control is usually pretty quiet (at least when 155 arrives) and although I use Global Entry the main line for visitors is usually pretty quiet and shouldn't take more than a few minutes..

Once you've grabbed your bags from the carousel there's a virgin desk for you to recheck your luggage - again, it's usually quiet so should only take a couple of minutes.

After that just follow signs for flight connections and clear security into E gates - this will likely be the slowest part as it's usually busy and it isn't exactly a well oiled machine. TSA pre is pretty quick though, so if you have that it would help.

Finally, you'll need to get a train from E gates to D gates to catch your Delta flight. It's a really short connection though and trains are frequent, so you'll only need a few minutes.

As you can see from the above, even if you factor in worst case scenarios, you should be absolutely fine with 2.5 hours.

On a final note, assuming you're connecting from Upper to Delta first class, you still won't have access to the lounge. Don't worry though, you're not really missing much. If you have access via priority pass i find the lounge at the E gates to be slightly better and, more importantly, much quieter. The one at D gates is usually rammed and it can be hard to find a seat. If you're not intending to use a lounge then go straight to D gates, as the choice of shops and restaurants is much better.

Have a great trip!

Also note that the American Express Centurion lounge is accessible if you have an Amex platinum and above... That's my choice of lounge in LAS.

Yes I do have Amex Platinum - hope to have time to visit the Centurion lounge but won’t count on it!