How Strict Is Allegiant With Personal Item Size?
Allegiant Air is one of the least expensive US airlines.
Their low fares are their main selling point, but their affordability comes with certain limitations.
The airline makes up for the inexpensive tickets by restricting carry-on luggage and charging high baggage fees.
Allegiant Air allows one free personal item per passenger but is very strict about the size. Passengers are limited to a bag no larger than 7″ x 15″ x 16″ (17.8 cm x 38.1 cm x 40.6 cm) that must fit under the seat in front of them. If your personal item is oversized, it must be checked in at an additional cost.
Bags that qualify as personal items include (but aren’t limited to) purses, laptop bags, or backpacks.
Allegiant’s Personal Item Policies
Allegiant’s personal item policies have been known to confuse passengers.
The size limit is 7” x 15” x 16” (17.8 cm x 38.1 cm x 40.6 cm), making the dimensions of two sides nearly square (15” x 16”/38.1 cm x 40.6 cm).
Since most travel bags are rectangular (think of a backpack or a standard suitcase), you may need something smaller than the stated size chart.
You can take the risk if your bag is only an inch bigger than the limits, but I don’t recommend bringing anything bigger and expecting to board for free.
Though Allegiant Air is strict with size limits, they don’t measure every personal item, and passengers have made it past the check-in desk with luggage that is technically oversized.
It’s an advantage in certain situations, but it’s also led to customers paying baggage fees at the gate even when the item fits under the seat.
The upside is that Allegiant reimburses these fees if passengers can prove the item fits.
All you need to do is take a picture of your bag underneath the seat and tweet them at @allegiant.
Allegiant’s Carry-On Restrictions
Your bag is considered carry-on if it doesn’t fit under the seat in front of you – if it doesn’t fit, you’ll have to pay to bring it on board.
Similar to personal items, Allegiant has a size limit on carry-ons.
The maximum allowed dimensions are 9″ x 14″ x 22″ (22.9 cm x 35.6 cm x 55.9 cm), and it must fit in the overhead compartment.
In compliance with FAA/TSA Security Directives, Allegiant only allows one carry-on – like a roll-aboard, garment bag, or tote bag – in addition to your personal item.
You’ll need to check your bag if it’s too big for the overhead.
There are certain exceptions to the carry-on rules, including:
- Mobility aids and assistive devices for individuals with disabilities (e.g., wheelchairs, crutches, etc.)
- An umbrella
- A jacket/coat
- A diaper bag
- One item of reading material
- Food for consumption during the flight
- One bag or box of duty-free purchases.
These items are not subject to carry-on fees.
The inclusion of jackets is a huge plus as you can wear your coat if your bag seems bigger than it is.
You can also put stuff inside the jacket if it has deep pockets.
Allegiant prohibits liquid and compressed oxygen as carry-on or checked luggage, including oxygen cylinders, canisters, and tanks.
Ventilators, respirators, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, and Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POCs) are allowed as part of your carry-on or checked baggage.
Ensure the device can safely fit in the overhead bin or under the seat.
Allegiant’s Carry-On Fees
At Booking
$18 to $34 (route-dependent)
Pre-Departure
$45
At the Airport (ticket counter)
$50
At the Gate
up to $75
*All baggage fees are non-refundable
Does Allegiant Allow Baby Equipment?
Allegiant Air allows one diaper bag in the cabin as part of your carry-on allowance.
Every passenger traveling with a child can also check in one infant stroller and one car seat for free.
You can do this at the ticket counter or at the gate.
If you check your baby’s equipment at the gate, the attendants will load it as cargo, and you can pick it up at the arrival gate when you land.
Allegiant also allows children under two years of age to use their car seat on flights, but you have to pay for an extra ticket.
A quick tip is to reserve seats in advance if you plan to fly with your family.
The best time to select your seats (especially if you want your kid to use their car seat) is immediately after booking.
You can also do it in the time leading up to your departure date, but seat availability decreases as the day gets closer.
Note that seat reservation also comes at a fee.
Also, exit row seating may not be available to families traveling with children.
Allegiant’s Checked Luggage Restrictions
Allegiant Air has a checked luggage weight limit of 40 lbs (18 kg), which is less than the industry average of 50 lbs (23kg).
However, Allegiant allows passengers to check luggage that doesn’t exceed 80 linear inches or 203 cm (height + width + depth), which is more than the industry average of 62 linear inches (157 cm).
Items that exceed the limits are considered overweight/oversized and are subject to fees depending on how large or heavy they are.
You can check up to four bags, and all checked luggage is subject to checked baggage fees.
You can pay for your checked bag at booking, during pre-departure, or at the airport.
Paying for checked baggage during booking is the cheapest time to buy as the fees increase closer to the departure date.
When checking your luggage at the airport, you must do it no earlier than 2 hours and no later than 45 minutes before your departure.
Allegiant’s Checked Baggage Fees
At Booking
1-4 bags: $22-$44 each (route-dependant)
Pre-Departure
1-4 bags: $45 each
At Airport
1-4 bags: $50 each
*All baggage fees are non-refundable
Does Allegiant Allow Sports Equipment?
Sports equipment is allowed on Allegiant Air, but they treat every piece of equipment as checked luggage.
Your equipment has to fit within the size and weight limits, and it’s subject to checked baggage fees.
Because of the generous size limit, you have a good chance of avoiding oversized fees.
However, the stricter weight limit makes sports equipment a likely target for overweight fees.
Allegiant also counts your equipment as part of the four-bag limit.
What Happens if My Bag is Overweight/Oversized?
If your bag is overweight or oversized, you’re going to be paying some additional fees.
Allegiant considers baggage above 40 lbs (18 kg) as overweight, and the following fees apply:
- 40-70 pounds (18-32 kg): $50
- 71-100 pounds (32.2-45.4 kg): $75
These fees are in addition to standard, excess, or oversized fees.
Allegiant counts an oversized bag as one that exceeds 80 linear inches or 203 cm (height + width + depth).
The airline charges an oversize fee of $75.
This fee is also in addition to standard, excess, or overweight fees.
Items exceeding 115 linear inches (292 cm) are not allowed.
What Happens if I Lose My Bag?
All lost items are taken to the local baggage service department, where they will be held for 30 days.
If you fail to claim your luggage before 30 days, the airline will transfer it to System Baggage Service for salvage.
If your checked bags don’t arrive on the same flight as you, Allegiant will deliver them to you within the next 24 hours.
They’ll also reimburse you for any expenses associated with the delay.
Notify the airline in writing if your luggage is lost, damaged, or delayed, and present your notice at the Allegiant Baggage Service Office at the airport.
You have to do this within 4 hours after flight arrival or within 24 hours if your item is missing.
Conclusion
Flying with Allegiant Air requires a closer look at their baggage fees.
While they’re a budget airline, the total cost might surprise you if traveling with many bags.
To decrease costs, pack light and bring a bag that falls within the personal item size limit.
You won’t pay any baggage fees and will get to your flight faster than other passengers.
