Allegiant Air Question?? Please!!!

[Carmenjames865]

Hoping someone will know. Does anyone know when Allegiant Air will release there flight schedule for this fall? We are wanting to book a cruise either in October or November and trying to hold off for their flight schedule, as we cannot afford the other carriers. Thank You in advace.

[ashelsi]

I think you can book flights up to six months in advance with Allegiant. So for October or November I would check April or May. Also keep in mind a lot of times with them they will only fly to a destination one or two days a week. But if the times work out enjoy your flight they are a great airline!

[kenish]

As the previous post commented, be sure you are very aware of the potential downside to Allegiant. First the upside...if everything goes OK they have some pretty good fares, although you should check legacy airlines (American, United, Delta, etc) as well as low cost carriers like Southwest, AirTran, etc. Not sure where you're flying to, but BNA is not a small market and it's not uncommon for other airlines to make a few seats available at competitive fares.

 

Now the risks- Allegiant does not have interline agreements with other airlines. If a flight is cancelled or delayed, you will not be accomodated on another airline. Since many Allegiant routes have only 2-3 weekly flights the next available flight may be several days or even a week later. Also, their fleet is older MD-80s which are more likely to be delayed or cancelled due to maintenance. They have a small fleet, so sending a "spare" plane is very unlikely.

 

With any airline, having "plan B" is important but even more so with Allegiant. Either make sure your routes have later Allegiant flights that will get you to port in time, be prepared to buy expensive last-minute tickets on another airline, or consider driving (plan your flights far enough before sailing to make driving an option).

 

Last comment, be sure to get trip insurance that you are sure will cover you...always a good idea but especially in this case.

[scottbee]

As the previous post commented, be sure you are very aware of the potential downside to Allegiant. First the upside...if everything goes OK they have some pretty good fares, although you should check legacy airlines (American, United, Delta, etc) as well as low cost carriers like Southwest, AirTran, etc. Not sure where you're flying to, but BNA is not a small market and it's not uncommon for other airlines to make a few seats available at competitive fares.

 

Now the risks- Allegiant does not have interline agreements with other airlines. If a flight is cancelled or delayed, you will not be accomodated on another airline. Since many Allegiant routes have only 2-3 weekly flights the next available flight may be several days or even a week later. Also, their fleet is older MD-80s which are more likely to be delayed or cancelled due to maintenance. They have a small fleet, so sending a "spare" plane is very unlikely.

 

With any airline, having "plan B" is important but even more so with Allegiant. Either make sure your routes have later Allegiant flights that will get you to port in time, be prepared to buy expensive last-minute tickets on another airline, or consider driving (plan your flights far enough before sailing to make driving an option).

 

Last comment, be sure to get trip insurance that you are sure will cover you...always a good idea but especially in this case.

 

Their small fleet is bigger than you'd expect, 40+ MD80s

[jetwet1]

And a few 752's coming in as well.

[kenish]

Yes, 40 is a small fleet. Operating very lean keeps their costs down but also causes issues if things go pear-shaped due to maintenance, weather, etc.

 

Good they are getting 752's....a lot are parked in the desert. It will save Allegiant a lot in fuel costs. In the summer of 08 when prices spiked, the gashog MD-80s almost killed off Allegiant.