Airlines Similar to Allegiant: 10 Cheap Alternatives Ranked for 2026 

Airlines like Allegiant Air include Frontier, Avelo, Breeze, Sun Country (now Allegiant-owned), Southwest, JetBlue, and JSX in the US, plus Ryanair, EasyJet, and Wizz Air internationally. All offer low base fares with add-on fees for bags and seat selection, though the overall experience, route coverage, and total cost vary significantly by carrier.

Allegiant Air built its name on one simple idea: fly leisure travelers nonstop between smaller airports and vacation destinations, without the frills. It works until it doesn’t. Tight seats, opaque pricing, and limited flexibility send many travelers searching for alternatives that deliver comparable savings with a better experience.

How Were These Budget Airlines Selected and Ranked?

The airlines below were evaluated across five criteria: base fare affordability, baggage fee transparency, seat comfort (measured by seat pitch), route coverage, and verified customer satisfaction scores. Fees are sourced from airline websites and confirmed via Trips with Tykes’ 2026 baggage guide (updated April 2026). Only airlines currently operating are includednSpirit Airlines, which entered bankruptcy and ceased operations in 2025, is referenced for context only.

What Are the Top US Budget Airlines Like Allegiant Air in 2026?

Frontier Airlines

Frontier is the closest operational equivalent to Allegiant. Both are ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCCs) that strip fares down to the bare minimum and charge for nearly everything else. Frontier’s seat pitch sits at just 28 inches one of the tightest in the industry and its overweight bag threshold is 40 lbs, not the standard 50 lbs, which catches many travelers off guard.

The trade-off for tolerating these conditions: Frontier serves 110+ destinations across the US, more than any other ULCC currently flying.

Best for: Travelers who pack light, fly short routes, and book bags and seats at the time of purchase to secure the lowest rates.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest is the most consumer-friendly budget carrier in the US. It no longer offers two free checked bags (that policy ended in 2025), and open seating ended in early 2026. But it still includes a carry-on and personal item at no charge, charges $45 for a first checked bag, and maintains a no-change-fee policy on fares above Basic. Seat pitch ranges from 31 to 33 inches notably more generous than Frontier or Allegiant.

In 2024, Newsweek ranked Southwest the #1 US airline for customer service. It’s also the fourth-largest domestic carrier.

Best for: Travelers who need scheduling flexibility or fly frequently enough to benefit from no change fees.

Avelo Airlines

Founded in 2021, Avelo focuses on point-to-point routes from secondary airports Burbank, CA and New Haven, CT are its primary hubs. Seat pitch is 29 inches, which is below average, but extra-legroom seats start at just $12 more each way. Carry-on fees start at $25 each way, and checked bags start at $43 each way (variable by route).

Avelo’s niche is access. It serves airports near national parks and leisure destinations that larger carriers bypass entirely. As of 2026, it’s expanding into Indianapolis (IND) and Cleveland (CLE).

Best for: Travelers in markets Avelo serves who want a simpler boarding experience and lower ancillary fees than Frontier.

Breeze Airways

Breeze, founded by JetBlue’s David Neeleman, is the most underrated entry on this list. Its base-fare seat pitch is 32 inches on par with JetBlue’s economy cabin and its “Nicer” and “Nicest” tiers offer 39 inches of pitch alongside included bags and a snack. Breeze received FAA approval in 2025 to offer international routes, including Montego Bay, Cancún, and the Bahamas.

Its model is route differentiation: Breeze connects city pairs that other carriers ignore, like Albany to Tampa or Akron-Canton to Orlando. Its 95% airport retention rate suggests demand is real in those markets.

Best for: Travelers in underserved secondary markets who want a better-than-average onboard experience without full-service pricing.

JetBlue Airways

JetBlue occupies a unique position: it calls itself a value airline, but its product is closer to a full-service experience. Seat pitch runs from 32 to 34 inches, every seat has a seatback screen, Wi-Fi is free, and snacks and soft drinks are complimentary. Even the lowest Blue Basic fare includes a carry-on bag and personal item.

First checked bags run $49–$59 (or $39–$49 prepaid), and the airline is consolidating its footprint in 2026 pulling back from LaGuardia and Newark while doubling down on Fort Lauderdale.

Best for: Travelers who want budget pricing without sacrificing comfort, entertainment, or customer service.

JSX

JSX is the wildcard on this list. It operates semi-private flights out of private terminals, bypasses standard TSA screening, and critically offers free checked bags and carry-on bags for every passenger. Fares are higher than ULCCs but often comparable to legacy economy once bag fees are factored in. JSX primarily serves routes in the South, Southwest, and West Coast.

Best for: Frequent travelers who value time, hate bag fees, and want a semi-private experience at closer to commercial pricing.

Sun Country Airlines

Sun Country was a Minneapolis-based budget carrier focused on routes from cold-weather hubs to vacation destinations essentially the same model as Allegiant. In May 2026, Allegiant completed its acquisition of Sun Country. The airline continues to operate independently for now, but its long-term trajectory is tied to Allegiant’s strategy. Seat pitch averages 29–30 inches, and checked bags run $40–$55 (variable by route).

Best for: Travelers in Minnesota and surrounding markets who have existing Sun Country loyalty points or prefer its routes.

How Do US Budget Airlines Compare on Fees and Comfort?

*Spirit Airlines ceased operations in 2025.

What Are the Best International Budget Airlines Like Allegiant?

For travelers flying beyond the US, these carriers offer comparable low-cost models:

Key difference vs. US carriers: European ULCCs benefit from short flight distances most routes are under three hours, which allows faster aircraft turnarounds and more profitable operations. According to a 2026 CNBC analysis, US routes are often too long for the ULCC model to work efficiently, which is one reason Spirit failed and others are struggling.

What Are the Cheapest Domestic Airlines in the US Right Now?

Based on base fares alone (excluding fees), here’s how US budget carriers typically rank from cheapest to most expensive:

• Frontier  lowest advertised base fares, but fees escalate quickly
• Allegiant  low base fares with variable fee structure
• Avelo  competitive on shorter leisure routes
• Breeze  affordable on underserved city pairs
• Sun Country  regional value in Midwest markets
• Southwest  moderate base fares with the best included value
• JetBlue  higher base fares, but fewer add-ons needed

Cost scenario example: A traveler flying Frontier from Denver to Miami with one carry-on and a checked bag could pay $54 + $79 in fees on top of a $59 base fare totaling $192. The same traveler on Southwest with the same bags would pay $45 (bag fee) plus whatever the base fare is. For shorter routes or personal-item-only trips, Frontier wins. For flexibility and bag-heavy travel, Southwest or JetBlue often come out ahead.

How Can You Save Money When Booking Budget Airlines?

• Book bags at checkout. Every ULCC charges more if you add bags after booking, and airport prices are the highest of all.
• Travel with a personal item only. A personal item is free on virtually every airline even Frontier and Allegiant.
• Use an airline co-branded credit card. Most waive the first checked bag for the cardholder and companions on the same booking.
• Check the airline’s fee calculator before booking. Frontier, Avelo, Allegiant, and Sun Country all offer route-specific bag pricing tools on their websites.
• Compare total cost, not just base fare. Add bags, seat selection, and carry-on fees before declaring a winner.

What Is the Future of Budget Airlines in 2026?

The budget airline landscape shifted dramatically in 2025–2026. Spirit’s collapse removed the largest ULCC from the US market. Allegiant’s acquisition of Sun Country created a larger leisure-focused carrier. Rising jet fuel costs US carriers paid 56.4% more in March 2026 than February 2026, according to Department of Transportation data have compressed margins across the board.

According to CNBC’s June 2026 analysis, 27% of millennials would pay roughly $100 more to fly a full-service carrier over a ULCC a shift that benefits JetBlue and Southwest more than Frontier or Allegiant. Delta’s 2025 annual revenue hit a record $58.3 billion, with 60% coming from premium cabins, loyalty programs, and cargo rather than standard economy.

The carriers best positioned to survive are those like Breeze and Avelo that have found routes the major airlines don’t compete on. Carriers trying to grow nationally will likely face increasing pressure from the Big Three.

Frequently Asked Questions

What airlines are most similar to Allegiant Air?
Frontier, Avelo, and Breeze are the closest operational matches to Allegiant Air. All three focus on leisure routes, charge for carry-on and checked bags, and use a point-to-point route model. Frontier serves the most destinations; Breeze offers the best onboard experience; Avelo charges the lowest ancillary fees.

Is Allegiant still a separate airline after buying Sun Country?
Yes. As of the time of writing, Allegiant and Sun Country Airlines operate as separate brands following Allegiant’s acquisition, which closed in May 2026. Sun Country continues to serve its existing routes and honors current bookings independently.

What happened to Spirit Airlines?
Spirit Airlines entered bankruptcy and ceased flight operations in early 2025. It is no longer flying. Travelers who held Spirit vouchers or credits should check the airline’s bankruptcy proceedings for guidance on compensation.

Which US budget airline has the most legroom?
JetBlue has the most legroom in economy among US value carriers, with seat pitch ranging from 32 to 34 inches across its fleet above the industry average. Breeze’s “Nicer” and “Nicest” fares offer 39 inches. Southwest’s economy seats run 31 to 33 inches. Frontier and Allegiant offer the least, at 28 and 30 inches respectively.

Do any budget airlines offer free checked bags?
JSX offers free checked bags and carry-on bags for all passengers. No major US ULCC currently includes a free checked bag in its base fare. Southwest recently ended its two-free-bags policy in 2025.

Which budget airline has the lowest fees for carry-on bags?
Allegiant Air charges the lowest carry-on fees among US ULCCs, starting at approximately $18–$20 each way. Frontier charges the highest, starting at $54 each way for a standard carry-on bag.

What is the cheapest US domestic airline when you include all fees?
There is no single answer it depends on the route and what you pack. For personal-item-only travel, Frontier and Allegiant consistently offer the lowest total cost. Once a carry-on or checked bag is added, Southwest and JetBlue frequently match or beat ULCC total pricing.

Are European budget airlines like Ryanair available to US travelers?
Ryanair, EasyJet, and Wizz Air fly within Europe and are available for booking by US travelers visiting Europe. Norwegian Air Shuttle offers transatlantic routes from select US cities. None of these carriers operate domestic US routes.

Why is Frontier’s overweight bag threshold different from other airlines?
Frontier sets its overweight threshold at 40 lbs rather than the standard 50 lbs used by most US carriers. A bag weighing 41–50 lbs incurs a $75 overweight fee on Frontier. This is a common surprise fee that significantly raises total travel costs for families or those packing for longer trips.

How does the budget airline model in the US differ from Europe?
European ULCCs like Ryanair benefit from short flight distances most routes are under three hours allowing faster aircraft turnarounds and more routes per day per aircraft. US domestic routes are often four or more hours, reducing profitability per flight. According to JD Power senior managing director Michael Taylor, this geographic disadvantage is a key structural reason why ULCCs struggle more in the US than in Europe.