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Is Allegiant Air Safe? A Detailed Look Into the Budget Airline's Safety Standards

Is Allegiant Air Safe? When planning a trip, safety is often the top concern for travelers—especially when flying with low-cost carriers. One airline that frequently comes up in these conversations is Allegiant Air, known for its budget-friendly fares and non-stop flights to smaller cities. But is Allegiant Air safe to fly with? Let’s take a deeper look at its history, safety record, maintenance practices, fleet, and more to answer this important question.

A Brief Overview of Allegiant Air

Allegiant Air is an American ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) founded in 1997. Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, the airline operates flights to over 100 destinations across the U.S., often focusing on underserved airports and leisure travel markets. Allegiant keeps costs low by offering fewer frills—passengers pay extra for seat selection, carry-ons, and snacks—but in exchange, travelers often get significantly cheaper base fares.

This budget approach is appealing, but it sometimes raises concerns about whether the airline might be cutting corners when it comes to safety. However, the reality is more nuanced.

Allegiant’s Safety Record: What the Data Says

All commercial airlines in the United States, including Allegiant Air, are regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This means they must adhere to the same strict safety standards, regardless of their pricing model.

Over the years, Allegiant has had a few headline-grabbing incidents, particularly between 2015 and 2017, when the airline was criticized for a higher-than-average number of emergency landings and mechanical issues. A 2018 "60 Minutes" investigation brought some of these concerns into the public spotlight. It reported that Allegiant had experienced more than 100 serious mechanical incidents over a span of two years.

While this raised alarms at the time, it’s important to understand the context:

• The incidents were not crashes or fatal accidents.
  

   

• Most issues were related to mechanical problems, like engine shutdowns or pressurization problems, which were dealt with according to FAA protocols.
  

   

• Allegiant responded by updating and modernizing its fleet, retiring older MD-80 aircraft and replacing them with newer Airbus A320 series planes.
  

   

Since then, Allegiant has made significant improvements. The FAA has not issued any safety-related sanctions against the airline in recent years, and Allegiant has continued to operate under full FAA oversight.

Fleet Modernization: From MD-80s to Airbus

A big step forward for Allegiant was retiring its aging fleet of McDonnell Douglas MD-80 jets, which were known for requiring more maintenance due to their age. In 2018, the airline completed its transition to an all-Airbus fleet, primarily consisting of A319 and A320 aircraft—much newer and more efficient planes with better safety records.

These Airbus aircraft are widely used by airlines around the world and have strong reputations for reliability. Allegiant’s move to a more modern, standardized fleet has not only improved fuel efficiency but has also helped streamline maintenance and training, contributing to improved overall safety.

Maintenance and FAA Oversight

Allegiant Air, like all commercial airlines in the U.S., is required to perform regular and rigorous maintenance on its aircraft in accordance with FAA guidelines. In fact, the FAA has a continuous surveillance program that evaluates airlines’ compliance with safety and maintenance procedures.

While the airline was previously scrutinized for maintenance delays and issues with documentation, Allegiant has since invested in improving its internal processes. It now uses more modern tracking systems and works with reputable third-party maintenance providers to ensure that aircraft are maintained properly and in line with industry standards.

Pilot Training and Experience

Another important element of airline safety is the quality of the pilots. Allegiant pilots must meet the same FAA qualifications as those at larger carriers, including:

• A minimum of 1,500 flight hours.
  

   

• Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certification.
  

   

• Ongoing simulator training and testing.
  

   

Allegiant also conducts recurrent training sessions for its pilots to ensure they are prepared for emergency situations and up-to-date with current regulations. The airline has a strong safety culture among its flight crews, and there have been no major incidents caused by pilot error in its operational history.

Safety Comparisons With Other Airlines

When it comes to safety, Allegiant Air’s performance is comparable to other low-cost carriers in the U.S., such as Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines. In fact, Allegiant has never experienced a fatal crash in its history, which is an important metric to consider.

According to data from organizations like AirlineRatings.com, Allegiant holds a passing safety score, although it may not rank at the very top of the list due to its past incident reports. Still, the airline remains on the FAA’s list of approved, certified commercial carriers, which means it's deemed safe to operate by the government’s own standards.

What Passengers Say: Firsthand Experiences

Customer reviews on Allegiant's safety can be a mixed bag, but most complaints relate to things like delays, baggage fees, or in-flight amenities—not safety. Travelers often report that the flights feel just as safe and stable as those with major airlines, and that flight crews handle turbulence and in-flight announcements professionally.

Many passengers feel safe flying Allegiant and appreciate the budget pricing, especially for non-stop flights to smaller or less accessible destinations. Others may be more hesitant due to the airline's past media coverage, even though no significant safety incidents have occurred in recent years.

Is Allegiant Air Safe for Families and Kids?

Many families choose Allegiant because of its affordability and direct routes to vacation destinations. Safety-wise, there's no special risk in flying with children on Allegiant versus other airlines. Parents might want to plan ahead for extras like snacks, entertainment, and seat selection, but from a safety perspective, Allegiant meets the same regulatory standards as Delta, United, or Southwest.

Tips for Flying Safely With Any Airline

Whether you fly Allegiant or another carrier, here are a few general safety tips for air travel:

1. Always follow the crew’s instructions during boarding, takeoff, turbulence, and landing.
   

    

2. Keep your seatbelt fastened when seated, even if the sign is off.
   

    

3. Choose a seat near an emergency exit if you're concerned about getting out quickly in an emergency.
   

    

4. Avoid flying when sick or overly fatigued, as changes in cabin pressure can worsen symptoms.
   

    

5. Download the airline's app or check the website for any flight status updates.
   

    

Final Verdict: Is Allegiant Air Safe?

Yes, Allegiant Air is safe to fly. While it had a rocky patch in the mid-2010s, the airline has taken meaningful steps to address those concerns. Today, Allegiant operates a newer fleet, follows FAA regulations, maintains a solid safety record, and provides safe, affordable travel for millions of passengers each year.

That said, Allegiant is a budget airline—so you might sacrifice some comfort or convenience for the sake of cost savings. But when it comes to safety alone, Allegiant holds up as a reliable option for domestic U.S. travel.