For travelers who are open to flying on budget airlines to save money, there’s a new top choice. The U.S. has many budget airline options, making it tough to decide which one is best. However, it’s now official: Allegiant has been named 2024’s Best Low-Cost Airline in North America by Skytrax.
### Is Allegiant The Right Choice For You?
Allegiant offers an affordable and reliable travel experience, flying out of 117 airports across the United States. It’s the 9th largest airline in the U.S., but it doesn’t offer nonstop flights outside the country, so it’s best for domestic travel. Allegiant earned its title due to friendly staff, reliable service, and high customer satisfaction. But let’s be honest, the main reason it’s the Best Low-Cost Airline is because it’s cheap! And who doesn’t love cheap airfare?
### How Cheap Can Allegiant Flights Really Be?
When I’m not traveling, I love searching for cheap flights. So, I checked out Allegiant’s current deals for this summer and found some of the best bargains.
For a long weekend, you can fly from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) from Friday, August 2, to Monday, August 5, for just $108 round trip. Another great deal is from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) to Charleston International Airport (CHS) for $85 round trip, departing Sunday, September 1, and returning Thursday, September 5. The cheapest option I found is from Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) to Nashville International Airport (BNA) for only $76 round trip, departing Monday, September 9, and returning Friday, September 13.
There are many options available on Allegiant’s website for August and September, with prices under $100 for a round trip. Check the ‘deals’ section on Allegiant’s website and select your departure airport to find the best prices. Note that these prices are accurate at the time of writing, so act quickly to take advantage of these deals!
### How To Stick To Your Budget When You Fly Budget
The low prices offered by budget carriers like Allegiant can seem too good to be true. But if you’re a savvy traveler, you can book the cheapest flights and beat the system! Allegiant’s base fares are very low but include minimal extras. You’ll get a standard seat and one personal item (like a backpack, purse, or laptop bag) for free.
To keep your flight cheap, avoid adding extras. For example, do you really need to sit with friends or family? I usually put on headphones and listen to a podcast or take a nap, so I’m fine sitting anywhere and saving money on seat reservations.
Traveling light can also save you money. Allegiant charges for checked and carry-on bags, but you can fit more into a small backpack (which is free) than you might think. I once spent a week in Lanzarote with just a backpack full of swimwear!
If you can’t travel light, expect to pay $13-$22 each way for a checked bag with Allegiant. Also, print your boarding pass at home to avoid a $5 fee at the check-in desk. Save that money for your next flight!