Allegiant Air
Airline Statistics
950
Active Routes13204
Flight Observations146
Unique Destinations136
Origin Airports930
Avg Route Distance (mi)2509
Longest Route (mi)4
Domestic Routes96
International RoutesAbout Allegiant Air
Allegiant Air (ICAO: AAY) is an American ultra-low-cost carrier known for its focus on leisure travel.
Allegiant Air was founded in January 1997 as WestJet Express, changing its name to Allegiant Air in 1998 after a trademark dispute. The airline initially offered scheduled and charter services, but faced bankruptcy in December 2000. Maurice J. Gallagher, Jr. gained control during the reorganization, restructuring the airline to its current low-cost model, and moving its headquarters and operations to Las Vegas, Nevada, in June 2001. Allegiant became a public company under Allegiant Travel Company in December 2006.
The airline operates on a point-to-point system rather than a traditional hub-and-spoke model, focusing on connecting small and medium-sized cities to popular leisure destinations. While Las Vegas (LAS) is considered a central point for many flights, Allegiant maintains over 20 operating bases across the United States. These bases include locations such as Allentown, Appleton, Asheville, Cincinnati, Destin/Fort Walton Beach, Indianapolis, Knoxville, Orlando/Sanford, Phoenix/Mesa, and St. Petersburg/Clearwater.
Allegiant Air's current fleet primarily consists of Airbus A319 and Airbus A320 family aircraft. The airline began integrating Boeing 737 MAX jets into its fleet in 2024, with plans for more deliveries through 2027. Historically, Allegiant operated McDonnell Douglas DC-9, MD-80, and Boeing 757 aircraft, but these have been retired, with the last MD-80s retired by November 2018 and 757s by October 2017. Its route network is almost entirely domestic within the United States, serving over 120 destinations, but it also has authority for charter services to Canada and Mexico. Allegiant Air is not a member of any major airline alliances such as Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld. As an ultra-low-cost carrier, it offers an all-coach configuration, with options to purchase "Allegiant Extra" and "Legroom+" seats for additional comfort, and sells food and beverages on board. A significant part of Allegiant's business model involves offering bundled travel packages, combining flights with hotel stays, car rentals, and tickets to attractions.
Traveler Reviews
Recent traveler reviews indicate a mixed, but generally budget-favorable, sentiment towards Allegiant Air.
What Travelers Love:
- Affordable Fares and Direct Flights: Many travelers appreciate the low base fares and the convenience of direct flights, especially to smaller, underserved cities that often lack direct connections to popular leisure destinations.
- Value for Money (when understood): For those who prioritize cost savings and understand the airline's à la carte model, Allegiant can offer good value, especially when booking bundled packages that include essentials like seat selection and bags upfront.
- Friendly Crew: Some passengers have reported positive interactions with friendly and helpful flight attendants and ground staff.
Common Complaints:
- Excessive Fees: A frequent source of frustration is the multitude of additional fees for nearly everything, including seat selection, carry-on bags, checked luggage, and even water on board, which can significantly increase the final cost if not anticipated.
- Poor Customer Service and Communication: Many reviews highlight poor customer service, difficulty reaching live agents, and inadequate communication, particularly in cases of delays or cancellations.
- Delays and Cancellations: Travelers often express concerns about flight delays and cancellations, noting that due to Allegiant's low-frequency, point-to-point model, rebooking options are limited, potentially stranding passengers.
Overall Sentiment Summary: Allegiant Air is often seen as a practical choice for budget-conscious travelers seeking direct flights to leisure destinations from smaller airports. However, a significant portion of the traveler experience depends on understanding its ultra-low-cost model and anticipating all potential add-on fees. While it offers competitive pricing and unique routes, issues with customer service and handling of irregular operations are common pain points.
Safety Information
Allegiant Air maintains a strong safety record with no fatalities since its inception. The airline's most recent notable incident dates back to March 29, 2007, involving a hydraulic failure and nose landing gear issue, which resulted in minor injuries but no fatalities. More recently, Allegiant Air had zero accidents in 2023 and 2024.
Allegiant Air is compliant with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, which rigorously oversee all American airlines. It received FAA and U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) certification for scheduled and charter domestic operations in June 1998. In 2012, Allegiant obtained Extended-range Operations Certification and Flag Carrier Status from the FAA. While Allegiant Air is not IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) accredited, it has been actively incorporating IOSA Standards and Recommended Practices into its safety processes since 2023 and aims to achieve IOSA certification by the end of 2026.
Historically, Allegiant Air faced scrutiny regarding its maintenance practices and the age of its former MD-80 fleet, with reports in 2016-2017 highlighting a higher likelihood of in-flight mechanical breakdowns compared to other major U.S. airlines. A 2016 FAA audit found the company's safety issues "minor" and "non-systemic." Since then, Allegiant has significantly modernized its fleet by replacing all MD-80s with newer Airbus A320 family aircraft by November 2018. The average age of Allegiant's current all-Airbus fleet (A319s and A320s) is around 12.1 to 16.6 years, with newer Boeing 737 MAX aircraft being integrated. The airline states it demonstrates its commitment to safety through rigorous pilot training programs, routine maintenance checks, and investments in technology like real-time flight monitoring systems.
Based on available data, Allegiant Air is considered a safe airline, having never experienced a fatal accident. Despite past concerns related to its older fleet and maintenance oversight, the airline has transitioned to a modern, largely Airbus fleet and continues to operate under FAA compliance. In June 2024, Allegiant Air was voted 2024 Best Low-Cost Airline in North America by Skytrax, its first such recognition.
Route Network Map
Most Popular Routes
Top Destinations
Top Origin Airports
Top Border Crossing Flights
Longest Routes
Shortest Routes
All Routes
950 Total Routes| Route | Destination | Flights | Distance | Aircraft | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PVU → AZA |
Mesa Gateway
Phoenix
|
246 | 479 mi | A320 | Jan 31, 2026 |
| ABE → SFB |
Orlando Sanford Intl
Orlando
|
209 | 920 mi | A320 | Jan 31, 2026 |
| PVU → SNA |
John Wayne
Santa Ana
|
131 | 586 mi | A320 | Jan 31, 2026 |
| BLI → LAS |
Harry Reid Intl
Las Vegas
|
124 | 1028 mi | A319 | Jan 29, 2026 |
| SFB → ABE |
Lehigh Valley Intl
Allentown
|
98 | 962 mi | A320 | Jan 30, 2026 |
| SFB → TYS |
McGhee Tyson
Knoxville
|
97 | 517 mi | A320 | Jan 29, 2026 |
| PIE → AVL |
Asheville Rgnl
Asheville
|
96 | 535 mi | B38M | Jan 27, 2026 |
| AVL → FLL |
Fort Lauderdale Intl
Fort Lauderdale
|
95 | 718 mi | A320 | Jan 29, 2026 |
| MFE → LAS |
Harry Reid Intl
Las Vegas
|
94 | 1292 mi | A319 | Jan 30, 2026 |
| PSM → PGD |
Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda
|
83 | 1389 mi | A320 | Jan 30, 2026 |
| ABE → PIE |
Clearwater Intl
St Petersburg-Clearwater
|
81 | 1037 mi | B38M | Jan 31, 2026 |
| SFB → AVL |
Asheville Rgnl
Asheville
|
80 | 473 mi | A320 | Jan 30, 2026 |
| BGR → SFB |
Orlando Sanford Intl
Orlando
|
79 | 1360 mi | B38M | Jan 30, 2026 |
| PIE → TYS |
McGhee Tyson
Knoxville
|
78 | 574 mi | A320 | Jan 31, 2026 |
| FNT → SFB |
Orlando Sanford Intl
Orlando
|
78 | 1030 mi | A320 | Jan 30, 2026 |
| AVL → SFB |
Orlando Sanford Intl
Orlando
|
77 | 487 mi | B38M | Jan 31, 2026 |
| FNT → PGD |
Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda
|
74 | 1168 mi | A320 | Jan 31, 2026 |
| USA → PIE |
Clearwater Intl
St Petersburg-Clearwater
|
72 | 574 mi | A319 | Jan 30, 2026 |
| SWF → MYR |
Myrtle Beach Intl
Myrtle Beach
|
72 | 786 mi | A320 | Jan 25, 2026 |
| AVL → PIE |
Clearwater Intl
St Petersburg-Clearwater
|
70 | 578 mi | B38M | Jan 28, 2026 |
| PIE → GRR |
Gerald R Ford Intl
Grand Rapids
|
67 | 1067 mi | B38M | Jan 31, 2026 |
| USA → SFB |
Orlando Sanford Intl
Orlando
|
67 | 464 mi | A319 | Jan 29, 2026 |
| ABE → MYR |
Myrtle Beach Intl
Myrtle Beach
|
62 | 561 mi | A320 | Jan 29, 2026 |
| FAT → LAS |
Harry Reid Intl
Las Vegas
|
62 | 336 mi | A319 | Jan 31, 2026 |
| PIE → EYW |
Key West Intl
Key West
|
61 | 265 mi | A320 | Jan 31, 2026 |
Airline statistics are based on flight route observations collected from FlightAware AeroAPI and other sources. Flight counts represent observed operations, not scheduled frequencies. Route data is continuously updated as new flight information becomes available.
Last Update: Jan 31, 2026 21:06
Coverage: Observed routes only