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Budget airlines are a great way to save money when traveling around the U.S., especially compared to the cost of flying with a regular airline. Allegiant Air offers cheap and frequent flights to many large and mid-size cities around the USA, making it quick and simple for travelers to get to less popular destinations.
A low-cost carrier are known to have hiccups, and travelers should sometimes beware. So what's the bottom line for consumers with Allegiant Air? Is it a reliable airline worth saving a few bucks with, or should you stay clear? In this article, we'll do a deep dive into Allegiant Air and let you know if you should book their flights.
Don't stress, if you find Allegiant isn't for you there are other airlines to choose from, too, like Sunwing, Volaris, and Air Canada Rouge!
Why is Allegiant different from other airlines?
Allegiant airlines is a budget airline based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The company was first started in 1997 and offers daily flights from numerous U.S. cities.
Allegiant Air offers flights to 133 destinations in the United States! They're committed to offering ultra-low-cost airfare to many picturesque small towns and cities in the U.S.
Where does Allegiant Air fly to?
Allegiant Air has many destinations across the U.S. Some of the major destinations include:
- Austin
- Bellingham
- Cincinnati
- Grand Rapids
- Fort Lauderdale
- Nashville
- Los Angels
- Las Vegas
- Memphis
- New Orleans
- Tucson
- Washington D.C.
They offer non-stop flights with their fleet of Boeing 737s and Airbus A320-200s.
Who Owns Allegiant Air?
Allegiant Airlines is owned by The Allegiant Travel Co and hasn't been bought by any other airline. They also don't have any airline alliances. So it's important to be on the lookout for any non-transfer options when booking with them.
Why is Allegiant Air so cheap?
Allegiant Air created its company initially with a fleet of used planes. This allowed for them to have a low start-up cost. Eventually, they could purchase a newer, more fuel-efficient fleet. All these factors have contributed to keeping costs down.
The airline also maintains control over ticket sales. Passengers aren't able to book through third-party websites. Instead, passengers must go to the Allegiant Air website to buy tickets.
Allegiant Air Fees
Part of traveling on a budget airline means having to pay fees for any extras. Here are some of the extra fees you may need to pay on your Allegiant Air flight:
- Carry on or checked luggage
- Changes to your flight or ticket
- Seat selection
- Food onboard the plane
- Priority access
- Boarding pass printing
It's best to purchase all extras before arriving at the airport, as last-minute extras will cost even more. Allegiant Air also offers discounted bundles if you want to buy more than one add-on.
Allegiant Air fare classes
Allegiant has three fare classes to choose from:
Basic
Everything except your personal item will cost extra. This is the cheapest option.
Bonus
Priority boarding and 1 checked bag are included with this fare. This option is non-refundable.
Total
Allegiant states that this is the best option for travelers. The all-inclusive Total option is non-refundable. The price compares to that of a non-budget airline. It's best to evaluate if this option suits your travel needs as it may ultimately save you money.
Allegiant's Cancellation Policy
If you need to cancel your Allegiant Air flight, it's quite simple. The easiest way to cancel your ticket is on their mobile app or website.
You'll receive a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of your purchase. After the 24-hour window, Allegiant air will only provide you with a credit voucher that can be used for future travel.
Allegiant Air's Luggage Policy
Allegiant air allows one small personal item free of charge. By personal item, they mean a big purse or laptop bag that fits under your seat (7 x 15 x 16 inches). So be mindful of your carry-on bag size!
All other carry-on items or checked bags should be paid for beforehand.
Allegiant Air Customer Service
According to the Better Business Bureau, Allegiant Air is not well known for its customer service. They have received an average rating of 1/5 stars.
Most travelers say that although the customer service agents are helpful and friendly, the problem lies with the airline. Allegiant Air is known for canceling flights and losing luggage.
Customer service can be contacted by phone at (702) 505-8888 for immediate assistance or by email, which may take several days.
The Airline's In-Flight Experience
Allegiant's no-frills flights mean it's back to basics when flying. Expect no inflight entertainment, charging ports, wifi, or in-flight service. They offer water, tea, coffee, and alcoholic beverages as well as snack packs or meals, all for an extra charge.
Their fleet has tighter planes with little leg room. Typical seat pitch on an Allegiant flight will typical be 29-30 inches, with no reclining relief. Paying a fee to pre-select your seat may get you a few more inches of legroom near the front of the aircraft. Overall, you can expect a cramped feeling.
Allegiant Air Mobile App
The Allegiant Air mobile app is available for free download on Android or iPhone devices.
Through the mobile app, you can book and manage your flights, select add-ons, receive flight status updates, and self-check-in.
Since Allegiant Air charges to have your boarding pass printed when checking in, you can use the app to access your boarding pass. This saves you money for snacks or a cheeky drink on your flight!
The Allegiant Air mobile app is rated 2.5/5 stars on the app store. Many reviewers claim it's buggy and poorly designed. Some customers say that they were not able to access their digital boarding pass through the app due to malfunction.
Is Allegiant Air worth it?
The rating overall for Allegiant Air isn't looking too good. Based on online reviews of Allegiant Air it usually seems to fall below 2.5/5 stars. There are more negative reviews than positive ones.
Many past customers have complained about canceled flights and unpleasant flying experiences. Other complaints included lost bags and poor or nonexistent customer service. However, there are some good reviews as well.
Allegiant Air offers many cheap flights to and from some exciting cities around the U.S. They are making travel a more affordable option for those who want to get out and explore some underrated destinations in the U.S.
Budget airlines are known for their hiccups, and Allegiant air has had its fair share.
Our Rating: 2.2/5
Pros:
- Cheap fares
- Lots of U.S. destinations
- Plenty of routes
Cons:
- Known for canceled flights
- Baggage restrictions
- Hard to contact customer service
- Needs more reclining seats
Why Choose Allegiant, Summarized.
It might be worth traveling with this airline if:
- you are a seasoned traveler
- you are a minimalist packer
- you can easily fly with one personal item
- you don't plan on carrying more luggage
- you don't mind possibly having a last-minute cancellation or change
Then it's absolutely worth the cheaper ticket cost!
Best to choose another more reliable airline if:
- it is your first time traveling
- you have a connecting flight with another airline
- you are traveling with children or are disabled
- you are attending an important event like a wedding,
Ready, set, jet with Pilot!
Now that you're thinking about flights, it's a great time to begin planning your trip. Whether you choose to fly with Allegiant or not, check out Pilot for your trip planning needs!