Allegiant Expands Service in Jacksonville

[fsquid]

Looks like a non-stop to Memphis is one.  They are also making an announcement tomorrow at the same time.

[blizz01]

meh.

[ProjectMaximus]

Looks like a non-stop to Memphis is one.  They are also making an announcement tomorrow at the same time.

I have a feeling Allegiant is making many route announcements tomorrow so it doesn't necessarily mean JAX-MEM as a pair. But it's certainly plausible.

[jaxdan3]

Memphis now confirmed: http://www.commercialappeal.com/business/allegiant-adds-jacksonville-flight-april-15-29125f8d-77e6-383f-e053-0100007f66ff-364914841.html

Edit: Richmond and New Orleans are the other cities:
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2016/01/12/jacksonville-gets-direct-flight-to-new-orleans.html
http://www.news4jax.com/travel/3-new-cities-to-have-nonstop-flights-from-jax

[Metro Jacksonville]

Allegiant Expands Service in Jacksonville





Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2016-jan-allegiant-expands-service-in-jacksonville

[blfair]

Allegiant's nonstop service will be to Memphis, New Orleans, and Richmond, featuring flight plans with fuel for Tupelo, Gulfport, and Roanoke Rapids, respectively.

*Only kidding of course... I flew Allegiant out of Sanford once, it wasn't a bad experience overall, for what it is.

[Dapperdan]

Has anyone flown Allegient? Are they  decent airline? I did a mock booking for two round trip to New Orleans in April and it came out at $156.00  which is an amazing price.

[Bridges]

It's an unbelievable price for that flight.  And non-stop too.  Loved the old Express Jet route. 

[blfair]

Has anyone flown Allegient? Are they  decent airline? I did a mock booking for two round trip to New Orleans in April and it came out at $156.00  which is an amazing price.

I have, it was fine. If you are looking for any kind of luxuries/amenities beyond your flight arriving roughly when it's supposed to, you'll be disappointed though.

For that price, you don't get any bags, and you can't pick your seat. Your 2 tickets may not be together. You can fix all that by paying extra.

On bags.. you can bring a "personal item" (7 in. x 15 in. x 16 in) that must fit under the seat in front of you, for free. If it's too big they will make you pay the carry-on rate. The carry on/checked bag rates vary and are lower when paid ahead.

Here are the rates for these routes, you pay this amount each way.



So, add $60 to bring 2 carry-ons to New Orleans and back. Forget to do it ahead of time and you'll add $200 and hate Allegiant forever.

They make all of their money on "optional" services like these fees, and a substantial portion on selling packages with cars/hotels. For leisure travel it's fine if you know what you're getting into as far as fees go. People who dislike it are usually the ones who didn't know about the fees ahead of time to factor it into their price comparisons. If you can pack light and just pay the fare alone, it's often a steal.

[ProjectMaximus]

Memphis now confirmed: http://www.commercialappeal.com/business/allegiant-adds-jacksonville-flight-april-15-29125f8d-77e6-383f-e053-0100007f66ff-364914841.html

Edit: Richmond and New Orleans are the other cities:
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2016/01/12/jacksonville-gets-direct-flight-to-new-orleans.html
http://www.news4jax.com/travel/3-new-cities-to-have-nonstop-flights-from-jax

Darn. Nothing to Missouri. I do like the New Orleans flight. It's always been a bummer for me that there's no easy route that way via Amtrak or Megabus, so flying non direct was the only decent option. I don't go very much, but I have a trip out there in a couple weeks and have to layover in ATL.

Has anyone flown Allegient? Are they  decent airline? I did a mock booking for two round trip to New Orleans in April and it came out at $156.00  which is an amazing price.

I have not but I've heard horror stories. I consider them like Spirit...I will only fly them if I don't HAVE to be somewhere at a certain time. There are plenty of examples of maintenance or other issues and arriving at your destination 12 hours late with no compensation. Also note they operate on a shoestring budget, so when things go wrong there's not much they can do to rectify the situation quickly, to compensate you for the inconvenience, or even to communicate issues. I won't hesitate to fly them when the opportunity arises on a long, leisurely trip. Anything else and I'll pass.

[thelakelander]

I haven't flown Allegiant but did well with their stock before cashing out last year. I have flown Spirit a lot though.  I've never had problems with Spirit and have saved a ton of money taking them out of Orlando over the years.

I'm a no-frills type of guy and I like my flights that way. I have no problem packing light, I don't care where I'm seated, I'm aware of the fee structure, and they can keep their peanuts and soda as far as I'm concerned. For on-flight entertainment, I'll read a book or go to sleep and dream. Just get me from point A to point B, on time and for the cheapest price available!

On the other hand, I can't stand Delta and try to avoid them and Atlanta like the plague. I have lots of horror stories flying with them.

[JaxAvondale]

I booked a flight to NOLA for the Food & Wine Experience. Great rate!

[simms3]

I haven't flown Allegiant but did well with their stock before cashing out last year. I have flown Spirit a lot though.  I've never had problems with Spirit and have saved a ton of money taking them out of Orlando over the years.

I'm a no-frills type of guy and I like my flights that way. I have no problem packing light, I don't care where I'm seated, I'm aware of the fee structure, and they can keep their peanuts and soda as far as I'm concerned. For on-flight entertainment, I'll read a book or go to sleep and dream. Just get me from point A to point B, on time and for the cheapest price available!

On the other hand, I can't stand Delta and try to avoid them and Atlanta like the plague. I have lots of horror stories flying with them.

If you live in Jax, your Delta experience is probably mainly or only on tiny little jets (routes from both Atl and NYC are on smaller planes).  My experience is mainly on brand new 737 ERs, 757s, or wide bodies, and is likely radically different.

TLDR

I'm the exact opposite.  Delta has been good to me, though now I'm spread thin with so many airlines I lost gold status with them this year.  I prefer jets that feel newer or refurbished (theirs are), their staff is among the best, for me they have always been on time, and Atlanta's airport is one of the most efficient for its size I have ever been in (meanwhile LAX airport is one of the worst), Minneapolis might be my favorite airport and I've had 2 good experiences with flight attendants on Minneapolis connecting flights (Detroit's airport is also nice).  Their terminal at JFK is the best, by far, as it is the main terminal there (4).  Their transcon flights also have the best business class (outside of American's newer 3-class planes) as all seats on all of their SF/LA transcons are lay flats and come with wider screen TVs and amenities.

When I fly, if it's personal travel, maybe 50% of the time I'm asleep by take off and may not wake up until touch down (I don't get enough sleep in my life).  If it's business, I must be on my laptop, so I like in-flight entertainment on in the background, COMPLIMENTARY snacks (which Delta does to the max and most other airlines do not), and I don't like flying on cloth seats, which many airlines still retain (Delta's flights, at least all of mine, are all leather now, even in economy).  Delta also has WiFi on all of its flights.  Even recently I've been on United flights that don't even have WiFi.  Delta's flights also all have the in-flight entertainment in the headrest, and often the slightly larger, clearer screens.  I prefer the wine on Delta's flights and have been to that vineyard a couple times.  I also love the Biscoffs.

For me, it is clear that Delta was the first of the major consolidations and they have had more time to work kinks out and become more profitable.  Other airlines are a bit behind.  And the only "discount" airline I choose to fly is Virgin, which is great and hubbed out of SFO (doesn't feel "discounty" at all).  If I'm forced, I'll fly Southwest (like to San Diego).  I did once have a great flight on AirTran from DC to Atlanta, which was on a new plane, satellite radio (novel at the time), etc.  But I actually feel uneasy on discount airlines - pilots have less experience, the planes are older and less well maintained on average, and there are more accidents, more people I personally don't wish to be crammed up with, more babies and fat people in my experience...I'm a bit snobby when it comes to flying because there is a lot involved and at the end of the day the costs are sometimes not all that different.

Now talk to Ben Says and I think he's an American fan because he doesn't like Delta's mileage/points redemption program and he likes American's codeshare.  I've only used miles once, so I'm not well versed.  American also has the fewest destinations of the big airlines out of my main go-to airport, so it's probably a no go.  But I was first class once in their transcon (3 class plane) and it was the nicest flight experience I've ever had, but prior to that they misplaced my luggage twice.

I guess long winded way of saying I will NEVER take Allegiant Air anywhere.

Leave you with:

http://kgmi.com/news/007700-allegiant-air-under-tight-scrutiny-after-faa-finds-loose-bolts-in-jets/
http://www.ktnv.com/news/contact-13/allegiant-airworthiness-called-into-question
http://www.travelpulse.com/news/airlines/faa-to-take-a-long-look-at-allegiant.html

[spuwho]

It works for leisure travel, but I wouldnt use it for biz travel if you are on a tight schedule.

Lots of fees.

I see people try to shank the carry on fees all the time. And yes, Allegiant will call you out if you try. I have seen dozens of women get pulled out at the gate for excessive carry ons.

While sitting in the lobby at Sanford, I saw an average of 5 suitcases every 30m get rearranged for being overweight, so they are strict about it.

I once had an 8 hour delay at Sanford. After 4 hours they offer bottled water. After 6 hours we got food vouchers hand typed on the computer and printed out. They said they gave us all $100 off our next flight, but when I tried to use it, there was no record of it.

The android app to display your ticket works about 3 out of 4 times. The one time it didnt, I had to "prove" to the attendant that it was them, not me, otherwise she was going to charge me $15 per tix to have them printed.

Finally after cycling my phone, going through 4G and WiFi right in front of her, she finally printed my tix at no charge.

While its improving at Sanford, most of the gate staff are contractors everywhere else.

Many of the pilots and flight crew are contractors from various charter support firms. I heard Allegiant has been hiring full time crews, but that when they try a new route, they always use contractors.

So the level of service can vary depending on who is working your flight.

[Steve]

If you live in Jax, your Delta experience is probably mainly or only on tiny little jets (routes from both Atl and NYC are on smaller planes).  My experience is mainly on brand new 737 ERs, 757s, or wide bodies, and is likely radically different.

JAX-ATL with DL is larger planes (but JFK/LGA/CVG/MSP/DTW are RJs). I'm on one of their place about every 2-3 weeks for work (just fell from Gold to Silver), and the RJs never serve this route. JAX-ATL is either an MD-88/90, 737, or 757 - every so often a 767-300 (rare)