Allegiant Air?

[mitsugirly]

I have never heard of this company until someone mentioned it on another board and here we have one right in my city (Columbus, OH).

 

After looking at the site, I see they only fly in and out on Mondays and Fridays...which I guess we could make this work because the prices are pretty awesome compared to "normal" airline pricing (we usually fly with Southwest).

 

I swear I have looked over their entire site and can't find anything I'm looking for.

 

It states that you can have a carry on bag (and gives the deminsions) but I can't find anything that states how much they charge for normal luggage??? :confused:

 

I see that it has 24 hour check in and they want you to check in and print your tickets from home (otherwise they charge you $5 at the counter), but it says that they will pick your seats (and try to get your entire party together), but if you are not all together, then you can upgrade to pick your own. Where is the price for this located?

 

I do see they serve the normal snacks, soda and drinks, but it looks like they charge you for it (which is fine, we can go without the snacks).

 

Is there anything else I need to know about this company?

 

Any experiences with them? Is it basically like flying any other airline and works about the same way at the airport? (I do know they are not located at our "normal" Columbus airport but at a smaller airport instead).

 

Thanks in advance for any info and help. :)

[klfrodo]

If they cancel the flight (for whatever reason) can you afford to wait around another week for the next flight.

They don't have interline agreements with anyone that I'm aware of.

[arlodog]

We fly with Allegiant all the time to Vegas from our airport. They have direct flights and they are usually cheapest. That being said there are downsides you need to be aware of when taking an Allegiant flight.

 

If they have a mechanical issue they don't have any agreements with other airlines (as someone already posted). They will try and get another plane diverted to you, but they may delay or even cancel the flight. We once had an 6 hour mechanical delay but they got us there eventually! They did give us a free round trip ticket for that delay, but that was when they were first starting out and hadn't started all the nickle and diming that they do now.

 

You pay for everything (including carry-ons) You get a personal item for free, but their luggage costs are pretty high. We usually just check one bag for the two of us since it is cheaper than taking 2 carry-ons. You have to strictly follow their luggage guidelines. We have been behind people at the airport who wanted to argue with the gate agents that their carry-on was within the size limits--guess who won? You will pay for seats if you want to sit together--otherwise you take pot luck with your seats--we pay to sit together. You already know they charge for drinks and snacks--not a big deal for us.

 

We fly with them, but prefer other airlines if prices are similar. You can go online and do a mock booking with them to see what all the charges will be before you actually book. Compare prices and see if they are really the cheapest. If they aren't we usually pick another airline.

[mitsugirly]

We fly with Allegiant all the time to Vegas from our airport. They have direct flights and they are usually cheapest. That being said there are downsides you need to be aware of when taking an Allegiant flight.

 

If they have a mechanical issue they don't have any agreements with other airlines (as someone already posted). They will try and get another plane diverted to you, but they may delay or even cancel the flight. We once had an 6 hour mechanical delay but they got us there eventually! They did give us a free round trip ticket for that delay, but that was when they were first starting out and hadn't started all the nickle and diming that they do now.

 

You pay for everything (including carry-ons) You get a personal item for free, but their luggage costs are pretty high. We usually just check one bag for the two of us since it is cheaper than taking 2 carry-ons. You have to strictly follow their luggage guidelines. We have been behind people at the airport who wanted to argue with the gate agents that their carry-on was within the size limits--guess who won? You will pay for seats if you want to sit together--otherwise you take pot luck with your seats--we pay to sit together. You already know they charge for drinks and snacks--not a big deal for us.

 

We fly with them, but prefer other airlines if prices are similar. You can go online and do a mock booking with them to see what all the charges will be before you actually book. Compare prices and see if they are really the cheapest. If they aren't we usually pick another airline.

 

 

Where do you find the pricing on what they charge for each over sized luggage. We (all 3 of us) have normal big luggage that we take. There's just no way to reduce the amount we take at all...especially on the flight back, which the suitcases will be even fuller.

 

Where do you find the pricing on the upgrade seating arrangements? I can't find anything. :confused:

[xlxo]

Allegiant is a hate-love relationship.... Love the low prices, love the non-reclining seats, love the small airports if they are convenient to you. This is a budget airline.

 

However you need to be aware of a few things. There is lots of extra fees. Study this chart carefully.

https://www.allegiantair.com/popup/optional-services-fees

 

Perhaps the biggest nightmare is luggage for heavy travellers. During check-in you can hear the biggest complaint from customers are being "blind-sided" by the $50 surprised luggage fees for unaccounted-for luggage after getting a great price on that airline ticket. Luggage fees depend on where you are flying to. Which airport/cruise port are you looking at?

• Allegiant charges for nearly all pieces of luggage. After a personal item (purse/camera bag)... your carry-on is $10 to $75.
  
• Allegiant starts charging for overweight bags at 40 lbs, compared to main airlines at 50lbs. $50 to $75 for overweight bags.
  
• Luggage roulette. You must predict how many pieces of luggage your bring. Over estimate, you will not be getting your $20 back. Under-estimate, the charge is more than DOUBLE!
  

As a result, one should add up ALL the extra charges before booking with Allegiant.

 

Here's the Columbus fees from the link above...

At Booking Pre-Departure Airport

Checked Bags Carry-on Checked Bags Carry-on All

1-4 1 1-4 1 Bags

$20 $15 $28 $23 $50

 

Or....

• $50 at airport
  
• $20 at booking for a checked bag under 40lbs (avoid the oversized large suitcases that can cost you 10 lbs or more)
  
• $15 for carry-on
  

 

Just sing it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0WdAjpwBuQ

Edited January 31, 2015 by xlxo

[FlyerTalker]

Biggest drawback to Allegiant in my mind is the issue of time-critical travel. If they only fly a route twice a week, can you afford to have to wait 3-4 days for your next opportunity to fly? They also don't have spare airplanes to fill in when a mechanical hits.

 

If you can accept the risks and feel it's a worthwhile savings, then go for it. But go in with both eyes open and a skeptical view. Remember, TANSTAAFL - you pay for everything in this world, one way or another.

[mitsugirly]

Allegiant is a hate-love relationship.... Love the low prices, love the non-reclining seats, love the small airports if they are convenient to you. This is a budget airline.

 

However you need to be aware of a few things. There is lots of extra fees. Study this chart carefully.

https://www.allegiantair.com/popup/optional-services-fees

 

Perhaps the biggest nightmare is luggage for heavy travellers. During check-in you can hear the biggest complaint from customers are being "blind-sided" by the $50 surprised luggage fees for unaccounted-for luggage after getting a great price on that airline ticket. Luggage fees depend on where you are flying to. Which airport/cruise port are you looking at?

• Allegiant charges for nearly all pieces of luggage. After a personal item (purse/camera bag)... your carry-on is $10 to $75.
  
• Allegiant starts charging for overweight bags at 40 lbs, compared to main airlines at 50lbs. $50 to $75 for overweight bags.
  
• Luggage roulette. You must predict how many pieces of luggage your bring. Over estimate, you will not be getting your $20 back. Under-estimate, the charge is more than DOUBLE!
  

As a result, one should add up ALL the extra charges before booking with Allegiant.

 

Here's the Columbus fees from the link above...

At Booking Pre-Departure Airport

Checked Bags Carry-on Checked Bags Carry-on All

1-4 1 1-4 1 Bags

$20 $15 $28 $23 $50

 

Or....

• $50 at airport
  
• $20 at booking for a checked bag under 40lbs (avoid the oversized large suitcases that can cost you 10 lbs or more)
  
• $15 for carry-on
  

 

Just sing it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0WdAjpwBuQ

 

I don't see the luggage as being much of a problem. We carry 3 luggage each and every time and all the same size. For $20 each, that would only be $60 added on to the flight, which still doesn't compare to regular flight prices with SW at the time we need to go. I might have to eliminate a "little" since we always bring stuff back home in our suitcases with us, therefore making it heavier than when we left (always under 50 pounds, but would of course have to make it 40 in this case).

 

Although I felt bad for those people on the planes stuck in the video, if I'm ever stuck on ANY flight, I would hope to be stuck with any of them. They made the most of it and they were awesome. :D

[mitsugirly]

Biggest drawback to Allegiant in my mind is the issue of time-critical travel. If they only fly a route twice a week, can you afford to have to wait 3-4 days for your next opportunity to fly? They also don't have spare airplanes to fill in when a mechanical hits.

 

If you can accept the risks and feel it's a worthwhile savings, then go for it. But go in with both eyes open and a skeptical view. Remember, TANSTAAFL - you pay for everything in this world, one way or another.

 

 

This is the only part that bothers me. We always fly in the day before and try to go early enough that if there are any delays or problems, we have all day to get there. However, having them cancel a flight entirely would not work of course since there wouldn't be another flight until the following Monday (if leaving on a Friday) and by then, the ship would have sailed. :(

[thinfool]

I havent read any first-hand accounts of Allegiant canceling/stranding anyone so that they missed their cruise. Not saying it hasn't happened, but I havent seen it.

 

Having said that....November 2012...we fly out of a tiny airport in Huntington, WV (HTS). We showed up for a Friday flight to FLL. The plane arrived and the passengers got off. We waited to board. and waited. and waited...and finally after several announcements about mechanics being flown in to correct a mechanical, the flight was cancelled.

 

Allegiant offered three choices.

1.Full refund

2.Return the next morning for the rescheduled flight on a different aircraft.

3.Return the next morning for the rescheduled flight on a different aircraft and Allegiant paid for lodging/transportation at local hotel.

 

We took #3. It all worked quite nicely. Overnight they had flown in a nice aircraft from Las Vegas. It was all clean and waiting to take us to FLL.

[FlyerTalker]

I havent read any first-hand accounts of Allegiant canceling/stranding anyone so that they missed their cruise. Not saying it hasn't happened, but I havent seen it.

Thought problem...you bought Allegiant because it was cheap. You got burned. Do you naturally tend to tell the world that you made a bad mistake?

 

But if you want a news story....HERE. And HERE. And HERE. Though not necessarily going to a cruise, the principle is the same.

Having said that....November 2012...we fly out of a tiny airport in Huntington, WV (HTS). We showed up for a Friday flight to FLL. The plane arrived and the passengers got off. We waited to board. and waited. and waited...and finally after several announcements about mechanics being flown in to correct a mechanical, the flight was cancelled.

 

Allegiant offered three choices.

1.Full refund

2.Return the next morning for the rescheduled flight on a different aircraft.

3.Return the next morning for the rescheduled flight on a different aircraft and Allegiant paid for lodging/transportation at local hotel.

 

We took #3. It all worked quite nicely. Overnight they had flown in a nice aircraft from Las Vegas. It was all clean and waiting to take us to FLL.

You were fortunate. Mostly because they had another aircraft they could use in your case the next day.

 

As I've said before....if you want to buy Allegiant, go right ahead. But don't think it's all unicorns, rainbows and kittens.

[waterbug123]

I havent read any first-hand accounts of Allegiant canceling/stranding anyone so that they missed their cruise. Not saying it hasn't happened, but I havent seen it.

 

Having said that....November 2012... the flight was cancelled.

 

Allegiant offered three choices.

 

3.Return the next morning for the rescheduled flight on a different aircraft and Allegiant paid for lodging/transportation at local hotel.

 

We took #3. It all worked quite nicely. Overnight they had flown in a nice aircraft from Las Vegas. It was all clean and waiting to take us to FLL.

 

The fact that one anonymous person on Cruise Critic hasn't actually seen, with their own eyes, anyone get stranded and miss a cruise, would not give me any confidence whatsoever that it wouldn't happen to me. I have had flights on other airlines get canceled but I'll bet you were unaware of that, right? You don't know me, don't know where I've flown, what flights I've had canceled and what events I may have missed as a result. Very likely then, that any number of people may have missed a cruise at some point because their Allegiant flight was canceled or severely delayed and they had no alternate Allegiant flight to take.

 

It's really a moot point though, because as you went on to explain, you yourself have been the victim of a canceled flight on Allegiant. Had you been flying in same day for a cruise, you most certainly would have missed your ship's departure. So you surely know that it can and does happen. ;)

[xlxo]

I was on a Vegas flight... there was a mechanical issue. The replacement plane was smaller. Because I paid extra for their insurance.... they put me on the first plane. Lots of unhappy customers for those who chose to skip the insurance and got the later flight.

 

If you look hard enough... there's a lot of unhappy people. But people still come back for the low prices even though Allegiant nickel/dimes you.

[hawk/hornfan]

Allegiant flies from my home airport (MLI), very rarely has the cost difference out weighed the convenience of flying AA, UA, or DL, who fly from MLI.

Edited February 3, 2015 by hawk/hornfan

[Algebralovr]

We looked into flying them for our trip next week. The airport they fly out of is 15 minutes from my mother, and she would have dropped us off and picked us up. Very easy.

 

But, they only fly to Sanford from there, rather than PBI, FLL or MIA or someplace else closer to Port of Miami. Next, we sail on Saturday and they only fly down Thursday. That means a second night n a hotel. We would have had to rent a car on both ends, and spent another night in FL before flying home. By the time I added it all up, including bag fees, it was cheaper to fly just about anyone else and fly directly to MIA/FLL area. Plus, it would have used another vacation day and I'm out.

 

Make sure you factor in ALL the costs.

Edited February 3, 2015 by Algebralovr

[NCMtnBoys]

Have flown them twice. Once on a casino junket a few years ago.

 

The second time was recent - New Years Eve 2014 from Phoenix to Las Vegas. That flight turned out not to even be on an Allegiant aircraft. It was on something called Falcon Air which I'd never heard of. Turns out Falcon Air is a charter company with a handful or fewer aircraft. The day before the flight, I had an email and automated voice mail telling me the flight the next night was going to be delayed 90 minutes. Delay turned out to be 3 hours. I guess Allegiant knew a day ahead that they were not going to be able to fulfill that flight and passed it off to Falcon Air.

Edited February 3, 2015 by NCMtnBoys

[kenish]

Allegiant Air's corporate parent is Allegiant Travel Co. Their main revenue source is booking hotels, rental cars, and vacation packages. The airline subsidiary brings customers to those revenue sources; air fares are not broadly profitable on a stand-alone basis. (Their investor literature or the general financial press has a lot of detail).

 

That's why Allegiant only allows booking limited city pairs. For example from CVG (Cincinatti) you can book many leisure destinations. LAX isn't one of them, even though CVG-LAS-LAX is a totally practical connecting itinerary (so are 20+ other cities). Why? There are plenty of CVG passengers who will co-book a LAS hotel....but a CVG passengers going to LAX, not so much. Anyone taking up a seat who didn't book a hotel, car, etc. does not contribute to the primary revenue source.

 

This creates a unique risk...Allegiant pulls out of a city when hotel/car revenue is weak, often with only 3-14 days notice. Passengers are fully refunded, but are left to buy a very expensive last-minute fare on another airline. A few years ago, Allegiant cancelled two California-Hawaii routes just days before the inaugural flights, leaving thousands scrambling.

 

Another issue is Allegiant buys older used planes. The low purchase price offsets the higher fuel and maintenance costs. The overall profitability of a route is more sensitive to fuel price increases (compared to other airlines). Also the older planes increase the chances of a mechanical delay or cancellation. (Allegiant is safe, but more repairs are required to stay that way). Several years ago there was an issue with their 757's that cancelled most of their Hawaii flights and stranded people on both ends for many days.

 

This isn't a smear on Allegiant...just a "heads up" on how they make profits and some risks to consider that are unique to them, so you make an informed choice.

Edited February 3, 2015 by kenish

[drhall]

Everything said above.

 

I flew to Disney World with my partner last year. Allegient happens to service my local airport, so it was a no brainer. Competiting companies were charging $400 per person--round trip. My Allgiant Air fare (after 1 checked bag for 2 people, taxes, everything) was $280 round trip. Nearly a $500 savings..no brainer for me.

 

I picked it because the flight from tarmac to tarmac was one hour, however actual flight time felt more like 30 minutes. The lack of food service, on-flight entertainment, plush newer jets, reclining seats, etc.. didn't affect me because we wouldn't be flying that long.

 

If I was flying a greater distance (2+ hours), I would have seriously considered a non-budget line for the accomodations, but for this purpose...it was:

1. Spend 10 hours (each way) driving to/from Orlando for about $150 in fuel + wear/tear
   
2. Spend 1 hour (each way) flying for $280. Add rental car.
   

The extra 18 hours of my life was well worth the cost in this case. :cool:

 

I recommend them, myself.

 

If you're not sold, I also recommend checking neighboring cities (if you have them). It's always cheaper for me to drive a couple of hours to Nashville or Atlanta to fly out on Delta/US Airways/etc.. than it is to fly from my town--especially because the fight connects in those cities, anyway.

Edited February 9, 2015 by drhall

[mitsugirly]

Thanks for everyone's comments and thoughts.

 

We did give it a lot of thought and of course we can't risk the cancellation of a flight to the destination and wouldn't want to risk the chance. However, I guess it would be worth a risk coming back from a cruise since we're never in a hurry to leave. :p

 

But in the long run, the prices of flight for the dates we wanted to go was just SO OUTRAGEOUS (a little over $550 at the last time we checked <---this is per person and there's 3 of us) that we actually decided to book a cruise that we can drive to...in around 6 hours. :) Problem solved this time around.

 

However, I will keep this airline and all the comments in mind when ever planning again to fly.

 

I really appreciate everyone. Thanks. :)

[waterbug123]

 

I picked it because the flight from tarmac to tarmac was one hour, however actual flight time felt more like 30 minutes.[/quote]

 

When an airline lists the duration of the flight, the time given is the time of push back from the departure gate to the time they set the parking break at the arrival gate. It is not actual in-air time, because it also includes the time needed to taxi back and forth. So yes, actual flight time will be less than the listed flight duration. (unless something unexpected happens and the plane spends more time than anticipated in the air)