Allegiant Airlines - Yes or No???

[kydisneyfans]

We've flown with Allegiant Air tons of times and have never had any issues. As mentioned, they do nickel and dime and you pay extra for EVERYTHING but if you don't need any extras, it could be a good option.

We've only traveled with them with our kids so have never had any issues with not having seat reservations seating with the kids (families get priority bording and I don't know if they're even allowed to seat a child without at least one of his parents (I suspect that if there were no seats available together, they might have to move some other people) although on a few occasions, we were split up 2 somewhere and 2 somewhere else. (I think we might have paid for the seats once when we were travelling at XMas and didn't want to have to deal with the seats).

The nice thing with Allegiant is that they fly from smaller airports and only do direct flights so delays are not very common (I think we were only delayed once and this was at Plattsburgh and the delay was because a USAir flight arrived late and was occupying the only gate when we had to board).

I could be wrong but as far as I can tell, they no longer fly to MCO at all (Allegiant doesn't list them on their list of airport info and MCO's website doesn't list them as a airline that flies there either). Unfortunately, rental cars from SFB tend to be quite a bit more expensive than from MCO (enough that depending on your situation, it might be worth getting transportation from SFB to MCO to pick up a car there). Also means that you don't have access to Disney Magical Express.

That is the main reason I do not use them. Rental prices at Sanford were too high to offset the lower flight cost.

 

[AnnaNonamus]

My mom flew Allegient in and out of GRR to Las Vegas. Nothing but issues on the return flight.

Also keep in mind that Allegient charges for everything, so while it might be cheap, carry on's are charged, luggage is charged, things like drinks and blankets are charged. Nothing but the seat is included. I believe they also charged her to choose a seat.

On her return flight, there was a delay because the flight coming in from Allegient was delayed, so there were no stewardesses. Then, when they finally arrived, they loaded everyone on the flight. It was around 110 that day in Vegas. They waited with the plane full for almost an hour- no air, because the plane wasn't released to start.

By then, the plane itself was over heated, so everyone got off the flight.

They waited 45 minutes, while the airport rain big AC units against the plane. By the time they re-loaded, a guy with a medical issue needed to access his luggage, because he kept his spare meds in his suitcase, and he knew by the time they arrived, he would be well past time for his insulin. (not something he anticipated- had they left on time, he'd have landed before needing it).

So, by the time they located it, and got it to him, the flight had once again over heated. Deplane again.

They also had to remove fuel, because it was too heavy due to the heat.

The original flight was due to leave at 8am. They didn't leave until after 4pm, and spent a around 3 hours of that delay on the over heated plane.

Once they left, they were told AS they were taking off and unable to text home, that no, they were not flying a direct flight anymore. They had to stop off somewhere to refuel, which would take about an hour.

They were due home at around 3pm our time. They didn't land until almost 11pm our time.

During all of it, they had to cover all their own costs- food, drinks, etc.

I personally won't ever fly them after the problems she and her friends had getting out of Vegas.

 

[AnnaNonamus]

Do you have Southwest in your area? I got direct flights out of GRR to MCO for $90 down, and $109ish back. It was less than $600 for 3 round trip- 2 free suitcases, free carry on. The price they quote on the website is the price you pay- they have all fees already figured into the price.

 

[caselaw3]

We've flown with Allegiant Air tons of times and have never had any issues. As mentioned, they do nickel and dime and you pay extra for EVERYTHING but if you don't need any extras, it could be a good option.

We've only traveled with them with our kids so have never had any issues with not having seat reservations seating with the kids (families get priority bording and I don't know if they're even allowed to seat a child without at least one of his parents (I suspect that if there were no seats available together, they might have to move some other people) although on a few occasions, we were split up 2 somewhere and 2 somewhere else. (I think we might have paid for the seats once when we were travelling at XMas and didn't want to have to deal with the seats).

The nice thing with Allegiant is that they fly from smaller airports and only do direct flights so delays are not very common (I think we were only delayed once and this was at Plattsburgh and the delay was because a USAir flight arrived late and was occupying the only gate when we had to board).

I could be wrong but as far as I can tell, they no longer fly to MCO at all (Allegiant doesn't list them on their list of airport info and MCO's website doesn't list them as a airline that flies there either). Unfortunately, rental cars from SFB tend to be quite a bit more expensive than from MCO (enough that depending on your situation, it might be worth getting transportation from SFB to MCO to pick up a car there). Also means that you don't have access to Disney Magical Express.

Yea - I noticed that about the car and then I didn't a little research and it was estimated $70 cab fee to MCO from Sanford - or $100 from Sanford to Disney in a town car, one way for each of those - then I found a rental car for $240 for the entire trip so I figure that might be the best way to go

 

[cruella23]

We have flown Allegiant to Vegas and had no problems. Our flight was delayed by storms, and the biggest concern I have about Allegiant is the limited days they fly. If our flight had been cancelled instead of delayed, there wasn't another flight for several days.

 

[shm_helene]

Yea - I noticed that about the car and then I didn't a little research and it was estimated $70 cab fee to MCO from Sanford - or $100 from Sanford to Disney in a town car, one way for each of those - then I found a rental car for $240 for the entire trip so I figure that might be the best way to go

We used Allegiant to go from ABE to Sanford in August. It was pretty easy!! I always rent a car. We use National and I used KLM code (just search it, you actually sign up for a KLM flycard and that's what the code comes from so it isn't something you are "stealing") and also a coupon from the entertainment book. We also have a National Club Card (see mousesavers website). We book the standard size car and we were 8-16th so 10 days and it was $228. Highly recommend!!

BTW, on the flight down my husband said it was the most leg room he has had on a flight (not on the way back, but at least one way!) He's 6'4 so he takes a decent amount of room. Good luck and have fun!

 

[abinormal]

What's the drive like from Sanford to Disney property?

 

[Mommy2LittleVols]

I flew Allegiant in June. I had heard that they were really bad to reschedule flights at the last minute, but the price was so good I was willing to take my chances. I got a good deal on shuttle service through the Allegiant website when I booked my flight. Everything went extremely smoothly inbound - flight was on time, no problems finding where to catch shuttle, I was the only shuttle passenger. It took about an hour to get from airport to hotel.

My problems came on the way home. My shuttle was around 15 minutes late picking me up, which wasn't a big issue because they scheduled my pick up for around 3 hours before my flight and the commute was only an hour. During the shuttle ride, I received an email notification from Allegiant that my flight had been delayed. I ended up spending 5 hours waiting at the airport to leave. Then once we arrived at my home airport, we had to wait another hour on the plane for an available terminal. It was a terrible day of travel. I'm not sure I would try Allegiant again.

 

[shm_helene]

What's the drive like from Sanford to Disney property?

It was about an hour. We used our GPS but next time I would double check with the Unofficial Guide on the best way. The way on the GPS was a little...run down. We did hit bad traffic going through Orlando. We don't usually have that issue out of MCO as we go south of the city.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

We have flown Allegiant to Vegas and had no problems. Our flight was delayed by storms, and the biggest concern I have about Allegiant is the limited days they fly. If our flight had been cancelled instead of delayed, there wasn't another flight for several days.

When talking to Allegiant about this I was informed they won't cancel the flight it will be a delay. When it s safe to fly, which every other airline will have too wait also, they will fly.

 

[Casemily]

When talking to Allegiant about this I was informed they won't cancel the flight it will be a delay. When it s safe to fly, which every other airline will have too wait also, they will fly.

In our city they absolutely cancel flights due to fog. If it's forecasted they will cancel hours in advance. It's a real bummer when the weather changes and the fog doesn't come but the flight has been cancelled already.

 

[caselaw3]

Great info everyone! IT sounds like Allegiant is definitely worth flying for the savings and so many stories of smooth trips make me happy that I made the decision I did - besides - its all gotta be better than being trapped in the car with two kids in carseats and a crabby husband for 24 hours!!!