Airborne Critique from My Loved Ones on Allegiant's Economy Seating in the A320 Flight (AVL-HOU)
Allegiant Air Flight Offers Comfortable Experience, but Baggage Fees Can Add Up
A family of seven recently returned from a memorable trip to North Carolina, where they celebrated the twins' 11th birthday. The journey was made possible by Allegiant Air, a budget airline known for its low base fares but often overlooked baggage fees.
The family, consisting of the individual, their twins, and three preteens, boarded an Airbus A320 at the Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), which had recently undergone renovations in June 2025. The airport's modern facilities provided a smooth start to their journey.
Despite booking a basic fare, which did not include carry-on or checked luggage or seat selection, the family found themselves seated comfortably in row 20, with seats A to D. The wide aisle of Allegiant's A320 reduced the risk of seated passengers being knocked into by any aisle traffic. The seats were outfitted in gray and navy leather with orange accents and looked clean and in great condition.
The overhead bins had plenty of space, even though the family's fare only included a personal item. This was a relief, as the twins had brought small backpacks and the individual had a handbag. The family's fare did not include a carry-on bag, but they were able to store their personal items without any issues.
The flight attendants brought a service trolley through at 6:36 p.m., and throughout the flight, they collected trash and conversed with passengers. Soft beverages were available starting at $4, cocktails were $13, liquor started at $9, beers were $9, wine started at $8, and mixers started at $4.
However, the family's total cost for the round-trip was $407.55 after discounts and cashback. This includes the base fare of $102 per family member, but the cost can significantly increase due to Allegiant Air’s baggage policy and fees. Unlike many carriers, Allegiant charges separately for carry-on and checked bags, with prices increasing the later you pay — cheapest when paid at booking, more expensive pre-departure, and most costly at the airport.
To manage these costs, it's recommended to pay for all baggage during initial booking to get the lowest possible fee, pack efficiently to avoid checked bags or keep them within the 40-pound limit, bring only a free personal item if possible, and use a travel rewards credit card to earn miles on purchases, which can indirectly offset costs.
The family's experience with Allegiant Air was generally positive, with the contemporary and clean cabin, comfortable seats, and overall experience being priceless in their book. However, the individual was disappointed to learn that Allegiant's direct flights to Asheville appear to be seasonal.
The family's return flight was booked through eDreams, as AllegiantAir.com did not work well with the individual's foreign IP address. They also had Global Entry memberships, which they received as a benefit of certain credit cards. The family boarded the flight at 5:20 p.m. from gate 10, marking the end of their memorable trip.
[1] https://www.allegiantair.com/help/baggage [2] https://www.allegiantair.com/help/reservations/baggage-fees [3] https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackfriedman/2021/02/25/allegiant-air-baggage-fees-how-to-avoid-excessive-costs/?sh=601d26a97130 [4] https://www.allegiantair.com/help/reservations/trip-flex
- The family's memorable trip to North Carolina for the twins' 11th birthday was facilitated by Allegiant Air, a budget airline known for its affordable base fares yet often high baggage fees, as detailed on their baggage information page.
- The family, boarding an Airbus A320 at the renovated Asheville Regional Airport, had a smooth journey due to the airport's modern facilities.
- Despite their basic fare not including seat selection, carry-on or checked luggage, the family found comfort in row 20 with ample space in the wide aisle of the A320.
- The family's total cost for the round-trip was $407.55, including base fares and fees from Allegiant Air's baggage policy. They learned that these costs can increase significantly unless planned ahead.
- To manage costs and avoid overage, the family recommends paying for baggage during initial booking, packing efficiently, bringing only a personal item when possible, and using a travel rewards credit card.
- The family's experience with Allegiant Air was generally positive, but they were disappointed to learn that Allegiant's direct flights to Asheville may be seasonal.
- For future bookings, the family used eDreams to book their return flight due to issues with AllegiantAir.com and their Global Entry memberships, which they acquired through certain credit cards.
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