Assure me it be okay.

[DisneyIll]

We are usually a family that drives but this time we have decided to fly. We have booked with Allegiant Air and now I am second guessing my choice. We leave right from our home town and fly into Punta Gorda and I know that is about 3 hrs away. We are okay with that. Anything is better than the 18 hr drive! I am worried though because Allegiant's track record is spotty for canceling and being on time. Our flight is Friday July 5th with a return Friday July 12th. Please assure me it will be ok. We bought annual passes so we have this plus 2 other trips planned and I don't want to drive every time since it is 18 + hrs.We have already booked and rented a car. The price with all the fees was outrageous but about 300 dollars cheaper plus we leave and arrive back home and don"t need to drive more than 10 miles to and from the airport.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Since Alligent is a smaller company and they have very few planes . If you look they fly the same plane to multiple cities in one day hence the reason they only fly a few days a week from each city so the only doubt you should have is if there is a service interruption ie: weather delay, troubles with the plane, then there could be a problem for you.

 

[cubsfan17]

We flew Allegiant in Sept from Bloomington, IL to Sanford, FL and had no problems. Flight was on time and comfortable. I loved using the small airports...check in was a breeze, quick security, free parking, etc. We liked it so much we are flying down again this month with them and possibly again in Sept. It's a little scary since they only run a few flights a week and would be bad if you missed the flight or it was cancelled. But the price is unbeatable and I haven't found any problems with them yet. Have a great trip!

 

[cubsfan17]

Just noticed from your name you are from IL. You flying out of Springfield or Peoria? I'm from Springfield and considered flying to Punta Gorda. I really liked flying out of Bloomington and actually this time we are flying out of Belleville, which basically only has like one flight a day so the place is a ghost town. The drive from Sanford to Disney is right around an hour, so you might consider that route in the future if you have good luck this time.

 

[DisneyIll]

Springfield and we have used Bloomington when Airtran was there. I'll post back after we go and tell everyone how it went.

 

[Buckalew11]

I have flown Knoxville to Sanford using Allegiant so many times and have never had a single problem. Using them on Friday and again in October. Hoping for no issues. Good luck to you.

 

[anniemck]

My daughter has flown Allegiant many times since 2008, first between Punta Gorda and Knoxville or at times Ft Lauderdale and Knoxville and once Knoxville to Sanford. It is a great little airline, just be sure you are at the airport way early to check in as they close the ticket counter an hour prior to the plane is due to depart as the workers then go to the gates to work check in there.
They normally run on time so that is good.

 

[Greysword]

It will be okay.

Worst case, you'll need to get additional hotel nights if your return is delayed, and I would simply stay off site instead of on-property but enjoy additional park days.

If I may ask as a data point, what was the outrageous price you paid?

 

[DisneyIll]

Greysword
By outrageous fees,they charge for carryon bags to and from. It was 15 dollars x2 roundtrip so that was 60 dollars for 2 carryons, They also charge to select your seat at booking, I did this because I have heard that Allegient is known for breaking up families if you don't do the pre purchase. That was 36 x3 x2 round trip = 216. Then checked bags 45 per bag each way. I did 2 bags each way so that is 180. Now that I add that all up that is closer to 450 $ ! It was 1141 with 179 for an Alamo car rental added in there. When I looked on Southwest though it was 1300 for us three plus I would have to drive to St Louis and pay for parking. I remember flying from Airtran out of Bloomington for 4 people just a few years ago being 840 with fees and everything. I think the days of low cut rate air fares is over ..

 

[Greysword]

Yep, that is how it works now. You are correct that the age of super-low cost flights are behind us, as Southwest (WN) was the driving force behind it in an attempt to gain market share over profit. However, WN isn't a low cost airline any more , despite the public perception.

You will be fine on Allegiant (as far as safety), but it is a good PSA that we need to be wary of low cost, since they make up the difference with fees. I am glad you decided to pay for assigned seats, though, as this is a heated topic on the boards at times.

Good luck, have fun, and please post a review of Allegiant after you fly them.