New low for Allegiant Air - charging for carryons

[thepiranha]

Allegiant Air is now charging anywhere from $10 to $35 for carryons. That means they nick you for bringing a small backpack, and if you don't pay in advance when you book on-line, it costs more at the airport. Allegiant flies in and out of my home town, so I've flown many times with them, but they're pricing themselves out of the market by doing this. Flights cost about the same as the big boys (Alaska and United), so why would anybody choose to fly with this rinky dink operation?

[copahc]

What's considered a carry-on and how do they regulate this?? What about a purse or a laptop bag?

[thepiranha]

Allegiant allows one small carryon, such as a purse or laptop. They charge extra for a backpack. It seems that the line between small and not so small is arbitrary and it will probably be up to the gate attendant to see who gets charged and who doesn't. We've flow into and out of Eugene, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Oakland on Allegiant, using the same carryon bags (before the new rule). We never get charged in Eugene, L.A. or Vegas, but they usually try to nick us when we fly out of Oakland. This new rule is going to lead to a lot of disgruntled passengers.

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Isn't Spirit doing the same thing - I think Allegiant took this idea from them

[omegaet]

I realize 'cycles' are typically the industry age standard for evaluating aircraft. However, for my part age does matter. Just another factor in why I don't care to fly Allegiant Airlines

[jsattapr2]

I am very much in favor of as many of these low end airlines offering their bargain fares and attracting as many bargain hunters as possible.

Bottom line, it keeps these people off my flights!

[LL_Travelfan]

O, I was amazed to see how old some of the planes of the major airlines are. This is a little scary!

[jmbklj]

What's considered a carry-on and how do they regulate this?? What about a purse or a laptop bag?

My understanding is that a bag that fits under the seat is free but there is a charge for bags that don't fit under the seat and must go in the overhead bin.

I wonder if they'll have two bag sizers now at the gate to determine what bag fits where before boarding.

[jmbklj]

Allegiant Air is now charging anywhere from $10 to $35 for carryons. That means they nick you for bringing a small backpack, and if you don't pay in advance when you book on-line, it costs more at the airport. Allegiant flies in and out of my home town, so I've flown many times with them, but they're pricing themselves out of the market by doing this. Flights cost about the same as the big boys (Alaska and United), so why would anybody choose to fly with this rinky dink operation?

Some people will fly them. I doubt I ever will. It will probably boil down to whether or not their fares are competitive, after adding in all applicable fees. Buyer beware!

[thepiranha]

I wonder if the average age of the pilots is inversely proportional to the average age of the aircraft .

jsattapr2, do you have something against people who try to find the lowest fares?