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.