Allegiant Air is a popular American low-cost airline that focuses on leisure travel. The carrier is based in Las Vegas and operates domestic and international routes, mainly to tourist destinations like Florida, Hawaii, and Mexico. allegiant flights

Allegiant Air was founded in 1997 under the name WestJet Express, but changed its name in 2001 after being purchased by Allegiant Travel Company. With its low fares and unique business model, Allegiant has become one of the fastest-growing airlines in the United States. The airline uses a low-cost model, optimizing its fleet for efficient operations between small to medium cities. By offering cheap base fares and charging separately for amenities, Allegiant can profitably serve the leisure travel market. The airline has developed a reputation for affordability, helping make vacations and getaways possible for many travelers on a budget. Though not without occasional challenges, Allegiant continues to thrive, transporting over 15 million passengers annually.

Fleet Information allegiant flights

Allegiant Airlines operates one of the youngest fleets in the US, with an average aircraft age of just 11.3 years as of 2022. Their main aircraft is the Airbus A319, which they mainly use on domestic routes. Allegiant’s A319s seat 156 passengers in a high-density, all-economy configuration.

As of 2022, Allegiant’s fleet consists of:

• 113 Airbus A319 aircraft
• 23 Airbus A320 aircraft
• 27 Airbus A320neo aircraft (new engine option variant with improved fuel efficiency)
• 4 Boeing 757-200 aircraft

So in total, Allegiant has a fleet size of 167 aircraft. Having a uniform fleet of Airbus narrow-body jets simplifies operations and reduces maintenance costs for Allegiant. The newer A320neos also gives Allegiant lower operating costs and environmental benefits.

The young age of Allegiant’s all-Airbus fleet contributes to the airline’s low-cost structure. Newer planes require less maintenance, are more reliable for operations, and burn less fuel. Allegiant has focused on reducing ownership costs by acquiring used planes at significant discounts rather than buying brand-new aircraft.

Route Network

Allegiant Air serves over 120 destinations across the United States, focusing primarily on underserved cities and popular leisure destinations. The airline has established focus cities in Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Punta Gorda, and Sanford, among others.

Some of the most popular destinations served by Allegiant include:

• Las Vegas, NV – With up to 100 daily departures, Las Vegas is Allegiant’s largest destination and hub. The airline flies to Las Vegas from over 45 small cities across the U.S.

• Orlando, FL – Allegiant operates around 35 flights per day to Orlando from airports all over the eastern half of the country. Orlando serves as a major connecting point to reach the theme parks and attractions in Central Florida.

• Phoenix, AZ – Phoenix is another major destination and focus city for Allegiant, with service from over 25 domestic airports. Allegiant is one of the largest airlines operating at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.

• Los Angeles, CA – Allegiant provides flights to LAX from over 35 domestic cities, offering a low-cost option for travelers heading to Southern California.

• Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL – Allegiant has an extensive presence at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, serving travelers headed to the beaches of the Gulf Coast.

• Destin, FL – Providing service from nearly 20 airports, Allegiant has become one of the most popular ways for travelers to access the Emerald Coast of Florida.

In addition to serving major tourist hubs, Allegiant connects leisure travelers in small and medium-sized cities to destinations across the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean. Their route network is optimized to serve direct point-to-point routes rather than connections through hubs.

Low Cost Model

Allegiant utilizes a low-cost model to offer cheaper airfares compared to legacy carriers. Allegiant is able to keep costs low in a variety of ways, including:

• Baggage fees – Allegiant charges fees for carry-on and checked bags to generate ancillary revenue. Baggage fees range from $10 for a personal item to $75 for the first checked bag. These fees allow Allegiant to offer lower base fares.

• No frills service – Allegiant does not provide extensive in-flight amenities or complimentary food/beverages. There is no seat assignment or frequent flyer program. This simplifies operations and reduces costs.

• Efficient fleet – The airline exclusively operates Airbus A320 family aircraft to streamline maintenance and training. High aircraft utilization also lowers per-seat costs.

• Point-to-point network – Allegiant primarily connects smaller cities to leisure destinations rather than operating connections or hubs. This allows the airline to efficiently serve direct demand.

• Ancillary revenue – In addition to baggage fees, Allegiant generates revenue through seat selection, priority boarding, in-flight amenities, partner services, and targeted credit card offers.

The low-cost approach concentrates on Allegiant’s core business as an airline while driving profitability through operational efficiency and ancillary sales. This allows Allegiant to stimulate demand through lower fares.

Safety Record

Allegiant Air has faced some questions regarding its safety and maintenance records in recent years. In 2015, the Tampa Bay Times published an investigation alleging that Allegiant planes were four times as likely to experience mid-air breakdowns as those operated by other major US airlines. The airline pushed back strongly against the claims, stating that the analysis was flawed and that Allegiant operates a very reliable fleet of planes.

In 2018, the FAA confirmed they were stepping up their oversight of Allegiant’s operations and maintenance practices following “various internal reports” that showed deficiencies. An unannounced FAA review of Allegiant maintenance practices in 2017 found that Allegiant mechanics had failed to follow proper procedures at least 25 times in the prior year. The airline again pushed back and claimed the shortcomings were minor paperwork issues rather than actual safety deficiencies.

While these reports raised concerns, Allegiant maintains its operations are safe and exceed regulatory requirements. The airline notes that it has not had any fatal accidents in its operating history. Allegiant says it is focused on safety as its top priority and that its newer all-Airbus fleet provides dependable service. Independent analysts continue to monitor Allegiant’s performance and operations as the airline works to demonstrate its commitment to safety and compliance.

Onboard Experience

Allegiant offers a basic onboard experience focused on low fares. Seat sizes on Allegiant average about 17 inches wide with a 30-32 inches in pitch, which is on the smaller side but typical for a low-cost carrier.

Allegiant has an all-Airbus fleet, primarily consisting of A319 and A320 aircraft. These single-aisle jets feature 3×3 seating in economy. There are no seatback screens or inflight entertainment systems. Allegiant does offer onboard food, drinks, and snacks for purchase via credit card or debit card only.

Amenities are sparse, but some extras are available for purchase onboard, like alcoholic beverages, gaming rentals, and priority boarding. Allegiant does allow each passenger to bring a personal item and a small carry-on bag for free. Checked bags cost extra.

The streamlined onboard product helps Allegiant lower its operating costs and pass savings on to customers through cheaper base fares. The no-frills experience puts the focus on transportation over amenities for budget-conscious leisure travelers.

Customer Satisfaction

Allegiant Air has faced mixed reviews when it comes to customer satisfaction. According to a 2019 ranking by JD Power, Allegiant ranked last among low-cost carriers for overall passenger satisfaction, scoring a 717 out of 1,000. Allegiant was rated particularly low for boarding, cabin cleanliness, in-flight services, and cost & fees. However, in 2020 Allegiant improved to 5th place out of 6 low-cost carriers in JD Power’s ranking, with a score of 758.

According to Allegiant’s website, over 90% of their customers say they would recommend flying Allegiant to a friend or family member. The airline claims high marks for its friendly employees and low fares. Reviews on consumer sites like Skytrax are more mixed, with concerns noted about cramped seating, fees for carry-on bags, and overall service.

Allegiant acknowledges they are not a luxury airline and focuses primarily on affordable air travel. The airline has stated it aim to improve customer satisfaction by upgrading its fleet with new Airbus planes, focusing on the basics like on-time performance and safety, and enhancing training for flight attendants and other staff. While Allegiant may not lead in satisfaction surveys, its low fares and expanding route network continue to attract customers.

Financial Performance

Allegiant Air has demonstrated strong financial performance in recent years, propelled by its low-cost business model. The airline generates revenue primarily through airfare sales, with ancillary fees for additional services comprising a growing share.

In 2021, Allegiant reported total operating revenue of $1.86 billion, representing an impressive 96% rebound from the prior year which was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Net income reached $77 million, returning to profitability after recording a rare loss in 2020. This turnaround was attributed to Allegiant’s flexible business model and recovery in leisure travel demand.

The company has expanded rapidly, with available seat miles up 45% since 2017. Passenger traffic has followed suit, increasing from 10.8 million in 2015 to over 16 million in 2019, before the pandemic disruption. The load factor has remained high, over 80%, indicating Allegiant is effectively filling its planes.

Ancillary revenue has been a major earnings driver, rising to $71 per passenger in 2019. Baggage fees, seat selection, in-flight purchases, hotel bookers, and other optional services enhance Allegiant’s profit margins. The airline estimates it generates up to 50% of ticket revenue through ancillary sales.

With its niche focus on underserved routes and leisure travelers, paired with disciplined cost control, Allegiant is positioned for continued success. The airline targets keeping costs among the lowest in the industry, around $0.06 per available seat mile. This formula of low fares and maximizing ancillary revenue has proven highly profitable.

Recent News

Allegiant Air has continued expanding its route network in 2022, launching both new domestic and international routes.

In December 2022, Allegiant began operating several new routes connecting destinations like Nashville, Savannah, Los Angeles, and Austin. This expansion added more low-cost flight options in popular southern vacation spots.

One of Allegiant’s biggest 2022 announcements was the upcoming launch of service to 5 European destinations in 2023. Starting in May, Allegiant will begin nonstop flights from U.S. East Coast airports to destinations like London, Paris, Madrid, Rome, and Dublin. This marks the airline’s first transatlantic routes, offering their low-cost model on international flights.

To prepare for this international expansion, Allegiant has placed orders for fuel-efficient Airbus planes like the A321XLR. The new aircraft will allow them to operate longer transatlantic routes.

In other news, Allegiant opened 21 new routes in July 2022 and announced nine new nonstop routes for November and December. This included their longest route yet from Nashville to Los Angeles.

The airline also became the official airline of the Las Vegas Raiders NFL team in 2022. As part of this partnership, Allegiant offers special fan travel packages to Raiders home games in Las Vegas.

Allegiant continues to pursue major growth initiatives to bring their low-cost nonstop flights to more cities in the U.S. and now Europe. The airline shows no signs of slowing as it heads into 2024.

Summary

Allegiant Air is a low-cost airline based in Las Vegas that focuses on leisure travel in North America. Allegiant operates a fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, mainly flying out of small, underserved cities to popular vacation destinations like Florida, California, and Las Vegas.

The airline uses a low-cost model to keep fares low – charging fees for extras like seat assignments, bags, snacks and drinks on the plane. There are no first-class or assigned seats on Allegiant flights. The low fares and nonstop flights to sunny destinations make Allegiant popular with leisure travelers headed for a vacation.

Allegiant has faced some criticism over the years for its older planes and high-profile mechanical issues. However, the airline has worked to improve its operations and safety record. In recent years, Allegiant has modernized its all-Airbus fleet for better reliability.

If you’re looking for an affordable, no-frills way to fly to vacation hotspots directly from smaller cities around the country, Allegiant Air delivers on that value proposition. The airline gives travelers access to destinations like Myrtle Beach, Palm Beach, Las Vegas, and more without a stopover at a major hub airport. Allegiant won’t win awards for in-flight amenities, but its low fares make vacations more accessible for many.

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