Allegiant Airline Reviews

As someone who’s flown Allegiant probably a dozen times to get to family in Florida, I have opinions. Strong ones. And here’s my honest take: Allegiant is the airline equivalent of buying furniture from IKEA – you know what you’re getting into, it serves its purpose, and complaining about the experience misses the point entirely.

Affordability of Airfare

Let’s start with the obvious: Allegiant is cheap. Like, really cheap. I’ve booked flights for less than what I’d spend on a nice dinner, which is frankly ridiculous when you think about the miracle of human flight. That’s what makes Allegiant endearing to us budget travelers.

But – and this is important – that base fare is just the starting point. Seat selection? Extra. Carry-on bag? Extra. Checked bag? Extra. Want to print your boarding pass at the airport instead of at home? That’s extra too, and more expensive than it should be. If you plan ahead and pack light, these fees are manageable. If you don’t, they’ll eat your savings faster than you can say “hidden charges.”

Customer Service Experiences

Customer service with Allegiant is genuinely hit or miss. I’ve had flight attendants who were wonderful – friendly, helpful, made the whole experience pleasant. I’ve also spent 45 minutes on hold trying to resolve a booking error that shouldn’t have happened in the first place.

Probably should have led with this, honestly: patience is your friend when dealing with Allegiant support. They’ll eventually sort things out, but don’t expect Southwest-level responsiveness. This is a low-cost carrier, and customer service staffing reflects that reality.

Onboard Comfort and Experience

Allegiant operates older aircraft – mainly Airbus A320s and some Boeing 757s. The seats are narrow. Legroom is tight. I’m 5’10” and my knees touch the seat in front of me. For a two-hour flight to Punta Gorda, this is fine. For anything longer, I’d think twice.

There’s no in-flight entertainment system, no WiFi, limited snack options. Bring your own everything – headphones, tablet, snacks, water bottle. Treat it like a bus with wings and you’ll be in the right mindset.

Punctuality and Reliability

Allegiant’s on-time record is actually decent compared to other budget carriers. That said, I’ve experienced delays – mechanical issues, weather, crew availability problems. It happens. Sign up for their text alerts, check your flight status obsessively, and have a backup plan if you’re connecting to something time-sensitive.

I learned the hard way not to book Allegiant the day of a cruise departure. Give yourself margin.

Booking and Baggage Fees

The booking process is straightforward but requires attention. They’ll try to upsell you at every step – trip insurance, car rentals, seat upgrades, the works. Just keep clicking “no thanks” if you don’t need it.

Baggage fees increase as you get closer to departure. Pay online during booking and you’ll save money. Pay at the airport and you’ll pay a premium. It’s not complicated once you understand the system, but first-timers often get caught off guard.

In-Flight Services

Don’t expect complimentary anything. Allegiant sells snacks and drinks at prices that would make a movie theater blush. A small cup of Coke for $4 feels excessive when you’re already on the plane. Bring your own snacks – nobody will judge you, and everyone else is doing the same thing.

Safety Record

I’ll be straight with you: Allegiant has faced FAA scrutiny for mechanical issues in the past. They’ve addressed those concerns, improved their maintenance protocols, and continue to operate under FAA oversight like every other U.S. carrier. I feel safe flying with them, but I understand why some people have reservations.

Who Should Fly Allegiant

Allegiant makes sense for budget-conscious leisure travelers going to vacation destinations. If you’re visiting family in a smaller city, flying to Vegas for a weekend, or heading to Florida beaches, Allegiant is often your cheapest direct option.

Business travelers, people who value comfort, and anyone with tight connections should probably look elsewhere. Know what you’re signing up for.

Frequent Flyer Program

The myAllegiant program exists, but it’s not going to get you to Platinum status at the Ritz-Carlton. You earn points, redeem them for discounts, and that’s basically it. If you fly Allegiant regularly, sign up – there’s no downside. Just don’t expect anything fancy.

Destination Network

Allegiant’s route map is interesting. They focus on secondary airports – Sanford instead of Orlando, Punta Gorda instead of Fort Myers, Mesa instead of Phoenix. This keeps their costs low and often puts you closer to where you actually want to be, depending on your destination.

Routes are seasonal and change frequently, so check their website for current options. What flew last year might not fly this year.

Final Verdict

Allegiant is what it is. Cheap flights, no frills, occasional headaches. If you go in with appropriate expectations and do your homework on fees, you can get tremendous value. If you expect a major carrier experience at budget carrier prices, you’ll be disappointed. I’ll keep flying them when the route and price make sense, and I’ll pack my own snacks every single time.

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