Allegiant History
Allegiant Air is an American ultra-low-cost carrier that was founded in January 1997. The airline is based in Las Vegas, Nevada and operates scheduled and charter flights to over 120 destinations across the United States.
The history of Allegiant Air can be traced back to the founding of WestJet Express in 1997. The airline initially operated as a charter service, offering flights between cities in the western United States. In 1998, the airline changed its name to Allegiant Air and began scheduled passenger service.
During its early years, Allegiant Air focused on serving smaller, underserved markets that were often overlooked by larger carriers. The airline offered affordable fares and a no-frills flying experience, attracting budget-conscious travelers. This strategy proved successful, and Allegiant Air quickly grew its route network and passenger base.
More Airline Insights & Tips
Here are a few of helpful resources & tips that can further enhance your knowledge of Allegiant airlines and how to best be prepared for your trip:
- Delays are an unfortunate fact of the life of an air traveler. Arm yourself against surprises by knowing the flight status of your G4 Allegiant flight before heading to the airport, as this could save you a lot of time, or even your trip to the airport if your flight is canceled.
- Info can be found here on Allegiant’s company structure, headquarters, etc.
- See which partnerships and alliances Allegiant has here. This is useful if you want to build up your frequent flyer points on partner airlines.
- Want to know which plane types are in service? Check out G4’s fleet list here.
- When considering a flight booking on Allegiant, be aware that third-party travel sites might require you to use their customer service instead of Allegiant's, which may be less than ideal in certain situations.
Beyond the history presented here for Allegiant, if you’re wanting more aviation history, read about the history of commercial flight here, or the history of the airline industry here.
In 2001, Allegiant Air entered into a partnership with Harrah's Entertainment, a major casino and hotel company. This partnership allowed Allegiant Air to offer vacation packages that included both flights and hotel accommodations, catering to the leisure travel market. The airline also began operating flights to popular vacation destinations such as Las Vegas and Orlando.
Over the years, Allegiant Air continued to expand its operations and strengthen its presence in the airline industry. The airline acquired several smaller carriers, including WestJet Airlines in 2005 and Vision Airlines in 2010, further expanding its route network and customer base.
Today, Allegiant Air is known for its focus on low fares and nonstop flights to leisure destinations. The airline operates a fleet of modern aircraft, including Airbus A319, A320, and A320neo models. Allegiant Air has received numerous awards and accolades for its customer service and affordability, making it a popular choice for travelers seeking affordable flights to vacation destinations.
For more information about this airline, check out our comprehensive Allegiant Guide.
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