A gas analyzer includes a detector section including a detector, a source section including a light source, and a support structure coupling the detector section with the source section and forming a flow channel defining an optical path measuring region. The gas analyzer also includes an air flow device configured to pull air through the flow channel from an intake region in the support structure to an exhaust region. Sampling is done by pulling air into the sampling cell via an intake opening or tube of wide diameter and short to medium at very fast flow rates (e.g., 10-3000 lpm or more) enabling rapid gas sampling. Fast flow rates enable the use of large volume cell for rapid gas sampling, which in turn, enables rapid measurements of many low-concentration trace gases and sticky/reactive gases (e.g., methane, ammonia, isotopes of CO2, H2O, nitrous oxide, etc.).