LAS VEGAS -- McCarran Airport is buzzing with passengers as they begin to fly home for Christmas.

Before travelers go to the airport, there are a couple of things to know, especially when it comes to parking.

"Waiting for me to get in tonight, I wasn't supposed to get in tonight. I took an earlier flight tonight," said Joseph Lloyd, who was flying home for Christmas.

The two new lots at McCarrran, the economy lot, on the west of Paradise Road, just south of Tropicana Avenue; and the remote lot, on Gilespie Street, north of Warm Springs Road; cost several dollars a day.

“We tend to get a lot more people who leave their cars -- whether that's before Christmas or after Christmas or New Year’s," said Chris Jones, of McCarran Airport.

He said the long-term garage is usually full between now and Jan. 5. About 1.7 million people will pass through McCarran, slightly down from years' past, due to the economy and Christmas falling on a Thursday.

"That makes a big difference in terms of people choosing to travel," Jones said.

There may be some cancellations and delays due to weather around other parts of the country, so airport officials recommend checking flights ahead of time.

Officials said travelers should be able to move through security a little quicker, due to the airport’s new security checkpoint.

McCarran has a 24-hour parking hot line to help. That number is 702-261-5122. It gives live updates on which garages or lots have spaces available.