By Aviation Nexus Staff – July 15, 2025
Allegiant Air—long a poster child for ultra-low-cost, no-frills flying—is quietly shifting its strategy. Facing growing demand for comfort and convenience, the Las Vegas-based carrier is enhancing its cabin offering with premium seating options, bringing perks like extra legroom, priority boarding, and complimentary refreshments to more passengers.
The Evolution of “Allegiant Extra” Comfort
Launched in 2019 on a trial basis, Allegiant Extra has grown into a core offering:
- Offers an additional ~6 inches of legroom (34″ pitch total) in the first few rows
- Includes reserved overhead bin space, priority boarding, and a complimentary drink Allegiant Air+15PaxEx.Aero+15Aircraft Interiors International+15Reddit+1BoardingArea+1Aircraft Interiors International+2air1network.us+2Flight Assistance+2
- Initially tested on select Los Angeles routes in June, now expanding network-wide Simple Flying
By Q4 2024, the airline reported 46% of its fleet had been outfitted with Extra seating, with a target of 70% by the end of 2025 PaxEx.Aero. CEO Greg Anderson noted “strong demand” for the product, signaling confidence in its appeal PaxEx.Aero.
Legacy Offerings: Giant & Legroom+
Long before Extra, Allegiant offered premium options on its Boeing 757 fleet:
- Giant Seats: Wide, cushioned front/mid‑cabin seats with up to 36″ legroom—phased out in 2015 Wikipedia+15Allegiant Air+15PaxEx.Aero+15
- Legroom+: Introduced alongside Giant seats, offering a consistent 34″ pitch for a modest fee Flight Assistance+4Allegiant Air+4Aircraft Interiors International+4
These early ventures laid the groundwork for today’s more refined Extra seats.
Why Now? Drivers Behind the Move
- Customer Demand
Travelers increasingly expect comfort even on short trips. Allegiant’s Drew Wells acknowledged mixed trial results, noting performance improves on longer routes—yet remains optimistic Allegiant Air+15PaxEx.Aero+15Allegiant Air+15. - Revenue Upside
Despite no service frills, Allegiant bundles seats with priority boarding and overhead space. They’ve found nearly 40% of customers choose these bundled packages PaxEx.Aero+7BoardingArea+7Reddit+7. - Modern Fleet, Modern Options
Replacing MD‑80s with newer Airbus A320s enables fresh cabin layouts and lighter seats—making premium seating more viable Wikipedia.
Passenger Perspectives
Users on Reddit offer mixed but telling feedback:
“If we come out of this winter and can’t piece it… we’ll have no problems on the plug… I think this is going to be successful.”
— Drew Wells (company rep) Reddit+4Reddit+4Reddit+4PaxEx.Aero+1Simple Flying+1
And from the passenger community:
“The pop‑up says priority boarding, free drink, overhead bin… I think it was $50.” air1network.usReddit
Meanwhile, some report cabin tightness on standard seats:
“Allegiant seats are the most narrow… pitch is upright, making it feel even smaller.” air1network.us+1Mighty Travels Premium+1Reddit+3Reddit+3air1network.us+3
These voices underscore the real-world discomfort many travelers hope to avoid—and what premium seating addresses.
Where the Value Lies
| Feature | Standard Seat | Allegiant Extra |
|---|---|---|
| Seat pitch | ~30″ | ~34″ (+6″) |
| Recline | None | Slight |
| Overhead bin | No guarantee | Reserved |
| Boarding priority | No | Yes |
| Refreshment | Paid aboard | One drink included |
| Price premium | – | ~$15–$50 per flight |
Allegiant’s approach is modular: Basic fares start low, but add-ons let customers tailor their experience.
Outlook: Will Premium Fly?
Allegiant is doubling down. With nearly half the fleet already fitted and expansion planned, it’s clear Extra seating is central to its cabin strategy Reddit+12PaxEx.Aero+12Reddit+12Reddit+14PaxEx.Aero+14Simple Flying+14. But there’s a caveat: without a traditional premium cabin, it remains firmly rooted in budget travel.
While Extra offers comfort, no free recline, no lounge access, and still no IFE/Wi-Fi—Allegiant isn’t chasing legacy-carrier service levels Reddit+2TravelPander+2BoardingArea+2.
Final Take
Allegiant’s push into enhanced seating—stretching from Legroom+ and Giant seats to the broader Extra rollout—marks an interesting pivot. The airline is preserving low fares while acknowledging a rising demand for comfort. It’s not legacy-class travel, but for a demographic tired of cramped cabins, it’s a welcome middle path.
