Introduction
The name “Allegiant Airlines” is a bit of a joke. If I were to swear allegiance to any airline, it wouldn’t be the one that
dangles a cheap fare in front of me and then nickel-and-dimes me to death with
extra fees. These guys charge not only for
carry-on baggage but for the privilege of selecting a non-middle seat. In fact, they even charge extra for selecting
which non-reclining middle seat I want. Allegiant
Air should be called Bad Meets Evil Air, after the Eminem song: “I’ma put air in a bag and charge people to
breathe.”
How would Allegiant look if they pushed things just a bit
further? This somewhat fictional post is
intended to provide a comic balm for anybody who bemoans the growing number of
companies that now charge for basic stuff that has always been free.
NOTE: There’s a lot
of joking around here, some of it concerning safety. Please do not read this while aboard a
passenger airplane. You could get me in
trouble with the Federal Aviation Administration!
Booking
Carry-on bag fees apply.
Please see baggage table fee.
Oversized personal items will be assessed an at-airport fee. Checked and carry-on bag fees are assessed on
a sliding scale as described in the online baggage fee table. An online tutorial on the baggage fee table
is available for $5. Classroom training
is also available on a quotation basis.
The fee for seat selection varies with location, from the premium
Giant Seats and Legroom+ ($$$) to the basic window or aisle ($$) to the middle
seat in the back row by the toilet
($). If you skip seat selection you can
avoid this fee, but you really don’t want to do that. We know where the screaming babies and
seatback-kicking children are on this plane, as well as the in-cabin pets
(which are welcome on Allegiant for a $100 fee). If you skip seat selection we will make sure
you are punished for your insolence.
Allegiant Air does not allow bookings from any discount
online travel websites, but we are pleased to offer you reservations by phone
for a $15 fee. You are encouraged to use
our mobile app for your boarding pass at no apparent charge. The mobile app is “free” (though you may
reasonably suspect we are selling your personal information).
Airport
You may print your boarding pass at the airport for a $5
fee. Chair and bench seating are
available at the gate. The cost is $5
when booked in advance, or $10 at the gate.
If you choose to sit down for free at an adjacent gate, please be
advised that we do not employ a public address system and reserve the right to
board the aircraft very abruptly.
Allegiant is not responsible for failures of the waterboarding
process. Did we say waterboarding? We meant boarding.
Priority boarding is available: $4 when purchased in advance, $12 at the gate
up to an hour before the flight, and $20 if you waited to check the length of
the line first.
Boarding
As you board the aircraft, smiles and greetings can purchased
from the flight attendants for $3 (male) or $5 (female). There is no discount for smiling back at the
attendants or returning their greeting.
Please take your seats immediately. There is a $2 fee for asking the flight
attendant why your seat doesn’t recline.
There is a $2 fee for each additional seatback inquiry (e.g., “You’ve
got to be kidding me—no seat reclines
on the entire plane?”). Allegiant Air charges
$3 for each snide comment (e.g., “I’m sorry, but a 90-degree angle does not
count as “‘pre-reclined’”).
If you are seated next to an emergency exit, you will be
asked to pass a written exam on the special procedures you may be required to
perform. A study guide is available for
$3, and a self-paced online tutorial for $5.
The tutorial requires our Allegiant Air Exit Row app, which is available
for an additional $5. If you fail the written
exam, or do not wish to take it, please ask a flight attendant to reseat
you. There is a $10 reseating fee, and
the fee previously paid for reserving this Legroom+ seat is non-refundable.
Please stay in your previously selected or assigned
seat. If you decide to relocate to a
better seat after the aircraft doors are closed, please note that a $10
reseating fee applies, and you will need to pay the difference in fee between
your original and new seat, plus a $5 in-aircraft seat selection surcharge. You must also pay a $10 restocking fee for
the seat you vacated.
Beer and wine are available for purchase only when the
aircraft has reached cruising altitude. You
may not bring your own alcohol on board. The Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) requires any alcohol consumed on board be purchased through and served by
an Allegiant In-flight crew member. To
the passenger in 28E with the hip flask: we’re looking at you.
Allegiant is a non-smoking airline. Smoking is prohibited on the entire aircraft
including the lavatories. You may not
bring your own nicotine patch aboard. Nicotine
patches are available for purchase by non-minors for $10 apiece. There is a one-time age verification fee of
$4. Tampering with, disabling, or
destroying the smoke detectors located in the lavatories is prohibited by law. Charging of e-cigarettes, and use of the word
“vape,” are strictly prohibited. Any
passenger caught smoking on board or tampering with the smoke detector will be
asked to leave the aircraft. Parachutes
are available for purchase for $8,000.
Safety
Allegiant Air does not employ a video entertainment system,
so please direct your full attention to the flight attendants as they
demonstrate the safety features of this aircraft. There is no fee for this demonstration but
please note that our flight attendants rely on tips for their livelihood.
During takeoff, landing, or whenever the seat belt sign
illuminates, you must fasten your seat belt. Insert the metal fittings one into
the other, and tighten by pulling on the loose end of the strap. To release
your seat belt, lift the upper portion of the buckle. If you violate the seat belt safety policy
during the flight, you will be cited and fined $35. If you claim in your defense that you couldn’t
figure out the seat belt, you will be fined another $35 for insulting the
flight attendant’s intelligence.
There are several emergency exits on this aircraft. Please take a moment to locate your nearest
exit. If we need to evacuate the
aircraft, floor-level lighting will guide our Giant Seats and Legroom+ passengers
towards their exit. Passengers in other
sections can use our online app to find their exit. WiFi surcharges will apply. WiFi is not available on Allegiant
flights. It is hoped that WiFi surcharge
revenue will eventually fund this feature, pending approval from shareholders.
Cabin pressure is continuously monitored. In the event of a
decompression, an oxygen mask will automatically deploy from above your
seat. To start the flow of oxygen, pull
the mask towards you and swipe your payment card at the armrest terminal. Place the mask firmly over your nose and
mouth, secure the elastic band behind your head, and breathe normally. If you
are travelling with a child or someone who requires assistance, secure your
mask first, secure their payment, and then secure their mask.
In the unlikely event of a water landing, life vests are
available for purchase, as is your seat cushion which can be used as a
flotation device. Rates vary with the
size of the device and the severity of the situation. There are inflatable slides at each exit
which double as life rafts. Seating in
the raft is metered at $10 per hour.
When the aircraft reaches cruising altitude the Captain will
turn off the Fasten Seat Belt sign, and you may move about the cabin. If you loiter in the aisle you may be ticketed. Lavatories are provided free of charge for
our Giant Seats and Legroom+ passengers in the dedicated Urinal+ lavatory. Any other passenger loitering near these
seats or attempting to use the Urinal+ lavatory may be ticketed or charged with
trespassing. Standard lavatories are
available for $5 for lower class passengers.
A post-use cleaning fee may apply as assessed by the flight attendant.
Flight attendants will be passing around the cabin in a few
moments to offer drinks and snacks for purchase, on approved credit. There is a non-refundable credit application
fee of $5. Bottled water may be
purchased for $2. There is a $2 fee for
asking the flight attendant, in vain, for a cup of tap water. This is in addition to any beverage purchased. Please note that the water in the lavatories
is non-potable.
Now sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight. Thank you.
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