Allegiant Air has flights in the USA, Canada and Mexico. This Allegiant guide will determine if flying Allegiant Airlines is right for you by telling you what you should know before flying Allegiant.
History of Allegiant
Allegiant Air was initially named West Jet Air Center. It was founded in 1997 in Las Vegas, Nevada as an ultra low cost airline. It ranks the 14th largest commercial airline in the USA, 5th in route network and 11th in fleet size.
Booking with Allegiant
Booking on the Allegiant website is as easy as it gets. The search tool is quick to navigate. It’s a cheap option when you’re on a budget. It only has certain dates to certain places, so it can be challenging to find the perfect flight if you can’t be flexible with your dates.
Like any other booking site they will try to upsell you, but to keep your price as low as possible, continue to click no thanks on each page.
If you do need extra bags or want to select your own seat, now is the time for add ons. It only gets more expensive if you don’t do it when you first book your flight.
Check In is easy, which you can do 24 hours prior to your flight either online or with the Allegiant app. If you didn’t upgrade and pick your seat, this is the time your seat will be chosen for you.
What’s Included and What’s Not
You can bring one personal item at no additional cost. Your personal it can be no larger than 7×15×16. For an additional charge between $10-$75 you can bring a carry on which can be no larger than 9×14×22. It’s also an additional cost for a checked bag.
There is no WiFi or entertainment on board. There are no free drinks or snacks. You can buy them for an additional cost. The only food available is chips, candy and crackers. For drinks you can buy water, juice, pop or even alcoholic beverages.
If you want something to drink, remember to bring your own water bottle and fill it up before boarding. You will want to purchase something to eat before boarding.
You can cancel your flight for an additional cost. Allegiant does have a rewards program and a credit card you can apply for which will give you extra perks after you start accruing points. In my opinion this is a great reason that flying Allegiant could be right for you.
Flying Allegiant Airlines
It was a cold day in Grand Rapids, Michigan when I set out to catch my flight to Tampa, Florida.
It had been several years since I had been on a plane and my first time flying on Allegiant Airlines. I didn’t know what to expect with the rates being so low.
Boarding the plane was quick and easy. There was ample room between the seats. It wasn’t cramped like I had anticipated.
I sat by two very nice women. One was from Michigan and the other was from Tampa and eager to get back home. If I lived in the warm, sunny place like Florida I would want to get back home as well. Especially when it’s 30 degrees.
There was one thing that didn’t go as planned. The plane took off about 30 minutes late, but we did arrive on time. It wasn’t a big deal because I didn’t have to be anywhere in a hurry.
One of the women I sat by was visiting Treasure Island and the other woman was giving both of us suggestions of where to go. I had never been to Tampa and was happy that I sat by someone so nice and willing to give advice.
I didn’t have much contact with the flight crew, because i didn’t order anything while on board, but they seemed friendly. They smiled as everyone boarded and as they handed out the food and drinks others ordered.
Should You Fly Allegiant Airlines?
Allegiant Air does not fly everyday and is not in every city. The flights are non stop which is a huge plus, but if you like having different flight classes or want to bring a carry on for free this is not the airline for you.
Flying Allegiant Airlines is good for short getaways. If you are ok with not choosing your seat and can get away with only bringing a personal item, then this is the perfect budget airline for you.
You have to make sure they fly out of your city and into the city you want to go to. Also that they have the dates you need. The airport I had to fly into was a smaller airport and I had to take an Uber 30 minutes to my destination.
It still saved me money and I would fly with them again. I love the cheap one way flights. It’s worth it in my opinion. You will have to weigh the pros and cons to see if it’s worth it depending on the type of trip you are taking.
Conclusion
I hope this blog post about what you should know before flying Allegiant has helped you decide if flying Allegiant is right for you. Read about the best flight booking sites here.