For travelers who don’t mind flying on budget airlines to save a buck or two, there’s a new best airline in town.
America has an abundance of budget airline options, making it hard to know which one is the best choice for you.
But now it’s official: Allegiant has been named 2024’s Best Low-Cost Airline in North America by Skytrax.
Here’s what you need to know:
Is Allegiant The Right Choice For You?
Allegiant offers an affordable and reliable travel experience and flies out of 117 airports in the United States.
It is the 9th largest airline in the U.S., but it doesn’t currently fly nonstop outside of the United States, so this should only be your pick if you’re looking to fly domestically.
There are many reasons why Allegiant was named North America’s best low-cost carrier: friendly staff, reliable service, and a high level of customer satisfaction.
But let’s be honest, the main reason for an airline to be named the Best Low-Cost Airline is because it’s cheap! And there’s nothing I love more than cheap airfare.
So let’s see how affordable Allegiant flights can really be.
How Cheap Can Allegiant Flights Really Be?
When I’m not traveling, searching for cheap flights is one of my favorite hobbies. So I turned my attention to Allegiant.
I looked at which flights the carrier still had available for travelers this summer and pulled together some of the cheapest deals.
Doing the hard work so you don’t have to!
- If you fancy a long weekend away then you can fly from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) for a Friday to Monday break. This flight will depart at 9.31 pm on Friday August 2 and return at 7.30 am on Monday August 5. The total price for this return nonstop flight will be $108.
- From Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) to Charleston International Airport (CHS) you can enjoy a return flight for just $85. This price is based on a return nonstop trip leaving on Sunday September 1 (departing at 12 pm and landing at 1.35 pm) and returning on Thursday September (departing at 6.53 pm and landing at 8.35 pm).
- My third, and cheapest, example will take you from Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) to Nashville International Airport (BNA) for just $76 return. This is the cheapest return journey I could find. To take advantage of this flight you will depart at 11.24am on Monday September 9 and return on Friday September 13 at 8.00am.
There are dozens of options available on the Allegiant website right now departing in August and September with prices under $100 for a return trip. Visit the ‘deals’ section of the Allegiant website here and select your departure airport to find the best available prices.
Of course, it’s worth noting that the prices stated above are only correct at the time of writing, so if you want to take advantage of any of these deals then move quick!
How To Stick To Your Budget When You Fly Budget
The kind of prices you find with budget carriers, such as the examples above, can seem too good to be true. And for most passengers, they are.
But if you’re a super savvy traveler then there’s no reason you can’t take advantage of the cheapest flights you’ve ever booked and beat the system!
The base fares offered by Allegiant are advertised at an extremely low price but they include very little for that price. You’ll get a standard seat that will carry you from A to B and 1 personal item (such as a backpack, purse, or laptop bag) but no other extras.
The fewer extras you add, the cheaper your flight will be. So my advice is not to be too liberal with the add-ons!
If you’re travelling with friends and family members do you really need to sit together, for example? I stick my headphones in and listen to a podcast or take a nap as soon as I get on a plane, so I’m happy to sit wherever I’m put and save a few bucks on reserving a seat.
Luggage is also a big area where you can save if you’re happy to travel light. You’ll have to pay for a checked bag and a carry-on bag.
But you can cram more into a small backpack (which is free) than you think! I once managed to spend a whole week in Lanzarote with nothing more than a backpack packed full of swimwear!
Not prepared to make the sacrifice? Expect to pay between $13-$22 each way for a checked bag with Allegiant.
Finally, print your boarding pass at home before you head to the airport. You’ll be charged $5 per boarding pass for the Allegiant staff to print these for you at the check-in desk. Which is money you could put towards your next flight!
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