When you’re comparing Allegiant Air vs Spirit, you’re looking at two airlines that rank near the bottom in customer satisfaction—88th and 87th out of 90 airlines, respectively. Although both offer rock-bottom fares, the similarities largely end there. In light of Spirit’s November 2024 bankruptcy filing after losing over $2.5 billion since 2020, the budget airline landscape has shifted considerably. The debate often extends to Spirit vs Frontier comparisons as well, since all three carriers compete in the ultra-low-cost space. In reality, choosing between these airlines requires looking beyond base ticket prices to understand their route networks, fee structures, and overall value. We’ll break down everything you need to know about both carriers to help you decide which budget airline makes sense for your travel plans in 2026.

Route Networks and Destinations

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Allegiant’s Regional Airport Focus

Allegiant operates a fleet of 111 aircraft serving 119 destinations within the United States. The airline deliberately targets smaller regional airports, flying routes only a few times per week based on expected passenger demand. This approach means you’ll find Allegiant connecting places like Colorado Springs to Phoenix-Mesa or Chattanooga to Fort Myers rather than competing on busy routes between major cities. Allegiant maintains five primary hubs: Orlando, St. Pete/Clearwater, Fort Myers, Las Vegas, and Phoenix.

Spirit’s Major Hub Strategy

Spirit takes a different approach with 157 aircraft shuttling travelers on over 500 daily flights. The airline operates crew bases at Atlanta, Chicago-O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston-Intercontinental, Las Vegas, Miami, Newark, and Orlando. Whereas Allegiant focuses on infrequent regional service, Spirit runs a point-to-point network system without traditional hub operations, concentrating primarily on the Eastern United States.

Coverage Area: Where Each Airline Flies in 2026

Spirit serves approximately 75 destinations throughout Central America, the Caribbean, South America, and the United States. The airline reaches 60 domestic destinations and 25 international locations across 18 countries. Allegiant announced 30 new nonstop routes in early 2026, adding four new markets: La Crosse, Wisconsin; Trenton, New Jersey; Columbia, Missouri; and Philadelphia. This expansion brings Allegiant’s network to over 650 routes when combined with Sun Country Airlines.

International vs Domestic Service Options

Allegiant does not currently offer scheduled international flights beyond the United States, though it pilots charter flights to Canada and Mexico seasonally. Spirit, in contrast, flies as far as Lima, Peru, serving destinations in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela. Spirit also reaches Caribbean islands including Aruba, Saint Maarten, Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.

Pricing Structure and Base Fares

Ticket Prices: Revenue Per Mile Comparison

Spirit ranks as the second cheapest carrier in the United States with a revenue per available seat mile of $0.11, trailing only Frontier at $0.10. Allegiant sits slightly higher at $0.13 per seat mile. This translates to a $0.02 difference per mile flown between the two carriers. In other words, Spirit typically charges less per mile than Allegiant, though both fall well below legacy carriers. When comparing spirit vs frontier, Frontier edges out Spirit by a single cent per mile.

Allegiant’s Vacation Package Pricing

Allegiant built its business model around vacation packages that bundle flights with hotel stays. The airline ventured into hospitality by constructing the Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte Harbor, Florida, featuring 785 rooms, pools, golf, and a marina. The resort opened in 2023, with Allegiant aiming to capture the package holiday market through its website. However, the property struggled with occupancy and was often half-empty during peak February season.

Spirit’s Bare Fare Model Explained

Spirit pioneered the unbundled pricing approach, charging only for your seat and one personal item in its base Bare Fare. The airline now offers four fare tiers: Go (basic economy with no carry-on), Go Savvy (includes standard seat and carry-on), Go Comfy (adds extra-space seating and snacks), and Go Big (Big Front Seat with premium amenities). Spirit was the first airline to charge for carry-on bags in 2010.

Which Airline Offers Lower Starting Prices

Spirit’s lower revenue per mile generally results in cheaper base fares compared to Allegiant. Spirit’s advertised prices exclude a Passenger Usage Charge ranging from $8.99 to $27.99 per segment for online bookings. Both airlines strip everything beyond basic transportation from their starting prices, but Spirit’s per-mile cost gives it a slight edge in initial ticket pricing.

Fees, Add-Ons, and Hidden Costs

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Baggage Fees: Carry-On and Checked Luggage

Both airlines include one free personal item (18 x 14 x 8 inches for Spirit, 8 x 14 x 18 inches for Allegiant). Allegiant charges $10-$75 for carry-on bags and $18-$50 for checked bags when purchased at booking. Spirit’s carry-on fees range from $31-$65, with checked bags costing $33-$79 depending on timing. Paying at the airport increases costs significantly—Allegiant charges $50-$75, while Spirit charges up to $65 at the gate. Overweight baggage costs differ substantially: Allegiant charges $50 for 51-70 lbs bags, whereas Spirit charges $125 for 51-100 lbs. Oversized bags cost $75 on Allegiant versus $150 on Spirit.

Seat Selection Charges

Allegiant’s seat selection ranges from $1-$80 per flight segment. Spirit charges $1-$200 for regular seats, with Big Front Seats commanding premium prices. Both airlines assign free random seats at check-in if you skip selection[151].

Onboard Purchases: Food, Drinks, and Entertainment

Neither airline offers complimentary refreshments. Spirit charges $3.99-$4.49 for sodas and $9.99 for beer and wine. Allegiant’s prices range from $4 for water to $22 for wine bottles. Snacks cost $4-$7 on both carriers. Spirit offers WiFi for $3.99-$19.99; Allegiant provides none[163].

Total Trip Cost: Calculating Real Expenses

A Spirit round-trip example showed base fare increasing from $26 to $100 after adding bags, seats, and refreshments. Allegiant’s $74 base fare jumped to $202 with baggage and seat selection.

Spirit vs Frontier: How Fee Structures Compare

Frontier’s 40-lb checked bag limit differs from Spirit’s 50-lb allowance. Both charge similar amounts for food and beverages, with combo meal options available. Booking bundled options at purchase saves money compared to airport pricing on both carriers.

Passenger Experience and Service Quality

Seat Comfort: Pitch, Width, and Legroom Options

Spirit’s standard seats measure 28 inches of pitch with 16-17 inches of width. Big Front Seats offer 36-37 inches of pitch and 18.5-22.8 inches of width in the first two rows. Spirit launched Go Comfy seating in 2025 with 32 inches of pitch, expanding from 12 to 42 seats across seven rows by 2026. Allegiant provides 30 inches of standard pitch with 17-inch seat width. Legroom+ seats add four extra inches for 34 total inches. When comparing spirit vs frontier, both carriers tied for the industry’s tightest spacing at 28 inches.

Customer Satisfaction Rankings 2026

Spirit scored 69 out of 100 in the 2025 ACSI rankings, up 3% from 67 the previous year. Frontier ranked lowest at 65, dropping 6% from 69. Southwest led with 80, followed by Delta and JetBlue at 77 each. Allegiant earned second place overall in the Wall Street Journal’s 2025 rankings as the top value carrier.

On-Time Performance and Cancelation Rates

Spirit achieved 73.8% on-time arrivals in June 2025, ranking second behind Hawaiian Airlines. Allegiant recorded 68.9% on-time performance that same month. Allegiant posted a 99.89% controllable completion rate in 2025 and ranked first for fewest cancelations. Spirit’s bankruptcy in November 2024 led to increased cancelations due to staffing shortages.

Flight Attendant Service and In-Flight Experience

Passenger reviews show mixed experiences. Spirit flight crews received praise for cleanliness and professionalism in some accounts, while others reported unprofessional behavior and poor communication. Allegiant flight attendants scored 3.4 out of 5 stars on employee review sites. Both airlines operate functional service models without entertainment systems.

Customer Complaints and How Airlines Respond

Spirit received 3,713 BBB complaints over three years, with 781 closed in the last 12 months. Allegiant logged 552 complaints over three years, with 165 in the past year. DOT requires airlines to acknowledge complaints within 30 days and respond within 60 days. Common Spirit complaints involve cancelations without accommodations, baggage fee disputes, and denied refunds. Allegiant complaints frequently cite communication failures during delays and baggage damage issues.

Comparison Table

Allegiant Air vs Spirit Airlines Comparison Table

Conclusion

The Allegiant vs Spirit debate doesn’t have a clear winner, given that both airlines rank near the bottom in customer satisfaction. Spirit offers cheaper per-mile pricing and international routes, while Allegiant delivers better reliability and serves regional airports. Here’s my take on choosing between them:

Pick Spirit if you need international destinations or frequent flights from major airports. Choose Allegiant for domestic regional routes and fewer cancelations. Calculate your total trip cost with bags and seats before booking either carrier.

Your specific route matters more than the airline name.