DisneyDatknee Posted February 12, 2017 #26 Share Posted February 12, 2017 I haven't flown Spirit/Frontier/Allegiant just because most of the time, the additional fees come out to be more than a ticket on other airlines or the other airlines are just a bit more. So consider that. I LUV Southwest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare bobmacliberty Posted February 12, 2017 #27 Share Posted February 12, 2017 I won't argue with the bottom line recommendation that most people have here...avoid them if flying to a cruise. I also won't argue with any comments related to amenities, mechanical issues, or accident rates. I will however disagree with those who say that Allegiant ends up being the same price when you add up all the extras. IF you can get a low fare to begin with (i.e. book far enough ahead), and you don't need to pay for a reserved seat, multiple pieces or overweight luggage, priority boarding, etc. then they can be significantly cheaper. I normally fly Delta (Gold Medallion) and even with my Medallion benefits, Allegiant was cheaper for a recent golf trip that included paying to check my clubs, a carryon bag, and a reserved seat. The only thing I would have had with Delta that I didn't get with Allegiant was priority boarding. Admittedly, I didn't know about their cancelation policy at the time, which might have changed my mind. To be clear, I am NOT recommending Allegiant for a cruise. Just the opposite. I do however want the OP to have accurate data from my experience. They have worked just fine for me for 3.5 trips to FLA (one was just the return leg). If you're a gambler... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireStation46 Posted February 12, 2017 #28 Share Posted February 12, 2017 Way too many "if's" for the whatever savings. If one item goes off kilter the cascade effect takes hold. They are just not worth the risk financially or otherwise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millh0use Posted February 12, 2017 #29 Share Posted February 12, 2017 We've used them twice but as others have said...be prepared for possible delays and factor in all of the extra fees when comparing prices. The first time we use them we had a 14 hour delay then 4 hours the next time. Neither were due to weather. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasi11 Posted February 12, 2017 #30 Share Posted February 12, 2017 Just ask Allegiant airline what happens if you show up and the plane has mechanical trouble and your flight is cancelled. How will they get you to your destination? On the major airlines they will put you on another flight a few hours later and even use another major airline. Allegiant does not. If you are going to your cruise with a few days to spare on the front end then don't worry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waterbugohio Posted February 13, 2017 #31 Share Posted February 13, 2017 We are flying on Allegiant in March for our cruise. However, we are only using them for the return flight. Didn't trust having a delay getting to the ship, even though we are going a day early. However, coming home, the times were better and the prices were about $80 per person cheaper than southwest. Hoping all goes smooth, but worse case scenario we get stranded in Florida an extra day or two. We did fly them another time when time was not a issue. We actually loved flying out of the small local airport and into Punta Gorda in Florida. Seemed like a machine shop, but it was quick getting out of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare xpcdoojk Posted February 13, 2017 #32 Share Posted February 13, 2017 I have booked them many times, a few times for a cruise, and a many times for trips to Vegas. Most of what people have posted is true. If your flight is cancelled you may be screwed. On trips that were for a cruise, I usually leave at least 2 days in advance for sure 1 day before the cruise. It is about a 20 hour drive from here to Fort Lauderdale. So, if you have two days in advance, I have the backup plan of driving. Wouldn't like it, but.... The fares can be a lot cheaper, especially if you don't take a lot of luggage. They can make it well worth well to use them. That said, I have known people who were taking a long weekend to Florida or Vegas who ended up not having a long weekend. In fact they stayed home because the next flight was the one they would have returned on.:D JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted February 13, 2017 #33 Share Posted February 13, 2017 Friends don't let friends fly Alegi Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesr3939 Posted February 14, 2017 #34 Share Posted February 14, 2017 We flew them many times from our hometown to Las Vegas (50 min flight vs 8 hour drive). We always found the planes newer and clean. The fares are usually cheap, I got $38 OW once and never paid more than $85 OW. You do have to pay attention when booking on their www site as they add in all sorts of fees and make you back them out. I think they use to even default to two passengers, luggage, and assigned seating. So pay attention when you make your reservation. They have really cheap flights from my place to Hawaii, but usually the schedule sucks if you want to stay some days that don't multiple by 7. I think for a cruise I would make sure it's a direct flight and go a few days early. I wouldn't have a problem flying them home after the cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdGuyMG Posted February 14, 2017 #35 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Every time I see them it's on the news and something has went on. Any thoughts? Never flown them before but from the feedback above it sounds like they're a coffin with wings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desinico Posted February 14, 2017 Author #36 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Never flown them before but from the feedback above it sounds like they're a coffin with wings. Haha! I'm starting to get that feeling to!!!! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ONECRUISER Posted February 14, 2017 #37 Share Posted February 14, 2017 This! ^ Statistically they have the most maintenance issues of any airline, cancelled flights, flight issues, etc. All of their planes are the old planes from the ValuJet collapse. Think Florida Everglades. AirTran bought ValuJet then Southwest bought AirTran. But not those old planes. Run away!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Few yrs ago they were older planes but last 3+ yrs they been all new ones I been on. New ones that now don't have reclining seats... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted February 14, 2017 #38 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Few yrs ago they were older planes but last 3+ yrs they been all new ones I been on. New ones that now don't have reclining seats... Wow, that's something I had not heard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BillOh Posted February 14, 2017 #39 Share Posted February 14, 2017 I've flown with them. Yes, there's a lot of fees but if you have booked your flight then you probably have already paid them. For us, even with the fees, the tickets were half the price of delta so can't complain. I hope you are flying in at least the day before. Our flight went perfectly fine and on time but I've heard of them having massive delays. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Here in Columbus, Ohio they don't (or use to not) have any flights on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Is that system wide? Makes it impossible for crusing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Tapi Posted February 14, 2017 #40 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Everything that needs to be said about Allegiant has been said, but I'll add my 2 cents. I would NEVER fly Allegiant to catch a cruise. Their on time performance and maintenance record are enough to discard the idea. As mentioned before, they lack frequency and interline agreements, so if your flight is cancelled, chances are that there won't be another Allegiant flight to your destination for days. Allegiant is in the process of retiring older MD-80 airplanes and replacing them with newer Airbus aircraft. But their maintenance record remains questionable. For comparison purposes, American and Delta are the 2 major airlines still operating the aging MD-80 aircraft. Allegiant filed EIGHT times as many maintenance problems as the majors. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted February 14, 2017 #41 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Here in Columbus, Ohio they don't (or use to not) have any flights on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Is that system wide? Makes it impossible for crusing. Same here. If the Thursday flight gets cancelled, the next chance is Monday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BillOh Posted February 14, 2017 #42 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Same here. If the Thursday flight gets cancelled, the next chance is Monday. For us, its also a separate airport. If I was going for a week in Florida somewhere, I might try it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhenIsLobsterNight Posted February 14, 2017 #43 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Flown them many times and finally decided to never do it again. Here is why: 1. They have the oldest fleet of planes of any airline in the US and one of the oldest in the world. Their planes often have mechanical issues which equal lengthy delays. I had a three hour delay for a flight to Vegas a few years ago which cost me a very large business deal. 2. They nickle and dime beyond anything I have ever seen. I swear if they figure out a way to charge to use the toilet the will. I am not kidding. 3. Their luggage weight is 40lbs instead of 50lbs. Thats a big difference for a cruise. Yes you will save money, but it is just not worth the fees, delay and hassles. Allegiant sucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BillOh Posted February 14, 2017 #44 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Flown them many times and finally decided to never do it again. Here is why: 1. They have the oldest fleet of planes of any airline in the US and one of the oldest in the world. Their planes often have mechanical issues which equal lengthy delays. I had a three hour delay for a flight to Vegas a few years ago which cost me a very large business deal. . Thanks for the thoughts, I've only seen a couple of airplanes on the tarmac at FLL. As near as I can tell the bulk of their fleet is MD80 variants almost 30 years old. I guess I am getting old, I saw one of their older planes is a 757. I will remember being at the observation deck in ORD when the first 757's and 767s made their first appearances at Ohare. I remember my last flights on 707s and DC8s when they were in regular service. My favorite memory of old planes is flying a Republic Convair 580 into Muscle Shoals, AL and noting on the safety card that the rear exit had a rope to throw out and climb down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vrock Posted February 14, 2017 #45 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Don't do it. My mom and aunt flew allegiant from Hawaii to spokane they could not land because of fog (although other airlines were landing) . They ended up in Idaho and were stuck for 3 days finally they booked their own flights home on another airline at their own expense. My boss also used allegiant one time and had issues with delays and maintenance issues. He said never again. Do yourself a favor and pay a bit more and choose another airline. Have a great cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanger727 Posted February 14, 2017 #46 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Here in Columbus, Ohio they don't (or use to not) have any flights on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Is that system wide? Makes it impossible for crusing. We actually used them to go to Las Vegas; but they fly Cincinnati to Fort Lauderdale on fri and sat so could use them for a sat to sat cruise or sailings that aren't a straight 7 day cruise. I don't buy the argument that it's unsafe to fly then. They still have to pass the same FAA regulations as everyone else. My only concerns about them are delay/cancellation related. If we had access to southwest or jet blue, would def use them... but delta is our primary here and it's hard to get a ticket anywhere for under $400.. so looking at $800 for 2 on delta; with a base price of $300 for 2, even with $100 in extra fees that's still a heck of a lot better. Plus delta charges more to choose seats and luggage now anyway. Half a can of Coke and a bag of pretzels isn't enough for me to be mad at allegiant for the fees. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Tapi Posted February 15, 2017 #47 Share Posted February 15, 2017 I don't buy the argument that it's unsafe to fly then. They still have to pass the same FAA regulations as everyone else. I do: Read these two articles and tell me what your thoughts are: http://www.tampabay.com/projects/2016/investigations/allegiant-air/mechanical-breakdowns/ http://www.tampabay.com/projects/2016/investigations/allegiant-air/faa-oversight-breakdown-plane/ Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schmeed Posted February 15, 2017 #48 Share Posted February 15, 2017 I do: Read these two articles and tell me what your thoughts are: http://www.tampabay.com/projects/2016/investigations/allegiant-air/mechanical-breakdowns/ http://www.tampabay.com/projects/2016/investigations/allegiant-air/faa-oversight-breakdown-plane/ Sent from my iPhone using Forums I think this brings this thread to a close. Fly them if you want, but your life is far more valuable than saving a few bucks on a flight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted February 15, 2017 #49 Share Posted February 15, 2017 I think this brings this thread to a close. Fly them if you want, but your life is far more valuable than saving a few bucks on a flight. Closed? Bella is still waiting for some popcorn. Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunan6 Posted February 15, 2017 #50 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Needed a quick, cheap flight from savannah to BWI. My experience, at least, was great. My family now somewhat regularly flies this route, and have never had a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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