Allegiant Airline Reviews
I’ll be honest – I’ve got a complicated relationship with Allegiant Air. On one hand, they’ve gotten me to Vegas for less than I spent on airport parking. On the other hand, I once sat on the tarmac for two hours in a seat designed for someone approximately half my size. That’s what makes Allegiant endearing to us frugal travelers – it’s an adventure every time.
Affordability of Airfare
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Allegiant’s whole business model is cheap tickets. We’re talking fares that make you double-check you didn’t accidentally book a bus. My parents fly Allegiant to Florida every winter because the alternative is paying three times as much on a major carrier, and they’re retired on a fixed income.
Probably should have led with this, honestly – that low base fare comes with asterisks. Big ones. Want to choose your seat? That’s extra. Bringing a carry-on bigger than a purse? Extra. Checked bag? Obviously extra. These fees add up, and if you’re not careful, your “cheap” flight ends up costing more than a full-service airline would have charged.
Customer Service Experiences
Customer service stories for Allegiant run the full spectrum. I’ve met gate agents who genuinely seemed to care about getting passengers sorted out. I’ve also waited on hold for what felt like an eternity trying to fix a simple name spelling error. The airline’s gotten better about this, but “better” is relative.
My advice? Handle everything you can online, double-check your booking details obsessively, and if you do need to call, have something else to do while you wait.
Onboard Comfort and Experience
Allegiant flies older planes – Airbus A320s and Boeing 757s that have seen better decades. The seats are narrow, legroom is minimal, and there’s nothing approaching in-flight entertainment. For a short hop, this is tolerable. For anything over two hours, bring a neck pillow and lower your expectations.
As someone who regularly flies these routes, I’ve learned to treat it like a slightly more comfortable subway ride. You’ll get there. It won’t be fancy. Bring your own snacks and download movies to your phone beforehand.
Punctuality and Reliability
On-time performance is actually one area where Allegiant does okay relative to other budget carriers. That said, I’ve experienced my share of delays – mechanical issues happen, weather happens, crew scheduling problems happen. Sign up for their mobile alerts and keep an eye on your flight status, especially during peak travel seasons.
Booking and Baggage Fees
The booking website is functional but full of upsells. They’ll offer you everything from trip insurance to car rentals to seat upgrades at every step. Just keep declining unless you actually need it.
The baggage fee structure is confusing at first: prices go up the longer you wait. Book your bags online when you purchase your ticket and you’ll pay the least. Wait until the airport and you’ll pay a premium that might have covered a competitor’s included bag.
In-Flight Services
There are no complimentary drinks. There are no complimentary snacks. Allegiant sells both at prices that would make a stadium vendor blush. My move is to eat before I board and bring an empty water bottle to fill after security. Nobody’s living large on an Allegiant flight, and that’s fine.
Safety Record
Allegiant has faced legitimate scrutiny about maintenance and safety practices in the past. They’ve since made improvements, invested in their fleet, and continue operating under FAA regulations like everyone else. I feel safe flying them, but I understand why some passengers remain skeptical. Do your own research if this concerns you.
Who’s This Airline For?
Allegiant works best for leisure travelers, especially families and retirees heading to vacation destinations. If you’re flying to a smaller market, Allegiant might be your only nonstop option. That’s genuinely valuable – driving to a major hub, parking, dealing with connections, all takes time and money too.
Business travelers, comfort-seekers, and anyone with tight connections should probably book elsewhere.
Frequent Flyer Program
The myAllegiant program is basic but fine. You earn points, you redeem them for discounts on future flights. It’s not going to get you into airport lounges or score free upgrades, but there’s no reason not to sign up if you fly them regularly.
Route Network
Allegiant operates an unusual route network focused on secondary airports. Instead of flying into Orlando International, you might fly into Sanford. Instead of Phoenix Sky Harbor, you might land in Mesa. Sometimes this works in your favor – Sanford is less crowded and closer to some destinations than MCO. Sometimes it means a longer drive.
Routes change seasonally, so check their current offerings if you’re considering them for a specific trip.
Bottom Line
Allegiant is a budget airline that acts like a budget airline. They’re not pretending to be something they’re not. If you can accept cramped seats, nickel-and-dime fees, and occasional delays in exchange for genuinely cheap base fares and nonstop routes to smaller markets, they deliver real value. I’ll keep flying them when the math makes sense – I’ll just pack my own lunch.
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