Allegiant first class launch 2026 free beverages: What Changes

Starting August 1, 2026, Allegiant Air offers free nonalcoholic drinks on every flight. A new premium cabin called Allegiant First  eight recliner seats with a 37-inch pitch, priority boarding, and one free checked bag up to 70 lbs  launches on select aircraft in spring 2027. Tickets go on sale mid-August 2026.

Allegiant Air built its entire business model on one principle: keep base fares rock-bottom and charge for everything else. No free snacks. No free drinks. Fees for carry-ons and checked bags. But on July 29, 2026, the Las Vegas-based carrier announced two changes that mark its most significant departure from that formula yet.

Free drinks for everyone. And a first class cabin.

These aren’t minor adjustments. For a carrier that once charged you for a cup of soda, rolling out complimentary beverages and a premium front cabin represents a fundamental shift in strategy  one that directly mirrors what Frontier and JetBlue are doing, and what Spirit Airlines failed to do before filing for bankruptcy. Here’s everything you need to know, including what it means for your bags.

Does Allegiant Have First Class?

Yes  starting spring 2027, Allegiant Air will offer a dedicated first class cabin called Allegiant First. The cabin contains eight seats arranged 2×2 at the front of select aircraft and is distinct from the airline’s existing extra-legroom product, Allegiant Extra. Tickets are expected to go on sale in mid-August 2026.

This is new territory for Allegiant. The carrier has never offered a true first class product before. Its existing Allegiant Extra seats add 7 inches of legroom and priority boarding but don’t form a separate cabin. Allegiant First is a different product entirely  a reconfigured front section with upgraded hardware, included bags, and premium service elements.

What Are the Allegiant First Class Seats Like?

Allegiant First seats are domestic-style recliners with a 37-inch pitch, 5 inches of recline, a calf rest, and an adjustable headrest comparable to first class on a regional domestic leg on Delta or American. Each plane will have exactly eight seats in a 2×2 layout occupying the first two rows.

Allegiant describes additional “upgraded service elements” for Allegiant First passengers, though specific food and soft product details have not yet been fully disclosed. More information is expected later in 2026.

What Baggage Is Included With Allegiant First Class Tickets?

Allegiant First fares include one personal item, one carry-on bag, and one checked bag weighing up to 70 lbs  all at no extra charge. This is a major contrast to standard Allegiant economy tickets, where only the personal item is free and all other bags carry fees.

This is where the real financial math matters. Under Allegiant’s standard pricing, carry-on and checked bag fees typically range from $18 to $50+ each, varying by route and how early you book. A round-trip traveler checking one bag and bringing a carry-on could easily pay $70–$150 in bag fees alone.

The 70 lb checked bag limit is also worth noting. Standard Allegiant economy caps checked bags at 50 lbs before overweight charges apply  $50 extra for bags between 51 and 70 lbs. Allegiant First absorbs that cost entirely.

A traveler flying economy round-trip with a carry-on ($35 each way) and a checked bag ($35 each way) pays ~$140 in bag fees. On Allegiant First, those fees are waived. Depending on ticket pricing, that’s a meaningful offset against the premium fare.

What Drinks Are Free on Allegiant Flights Now?

Starting August 1, 2026, all Allegiant passengers receive complimentary nonalcoholic beverages on every flight. Free options include Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite, juice, and water  served by the cup, subject to availability.

Allways Rewards Visa cardholders receive one additional complimentary beverage per flight that expands into premium options:

Alcohol is limited to passengers 21+ with valid ID, regardless of cardholder status.

Does Allegiant Give Free Drinks on Flights?

Yes, as of August 1, 2026, Allegiant gives free nonalcoholic drinks on all flights. This ends the airline’s long-standing policy of charging for sodas and water. Free alcoholic beverages are available only to Allways Rewards Visa cardholders (one per flight).

Before this change, Allegiant was one of the last domestic carriers still charging for soft drinks. The shift aligns Allegiant with Southwest, which has offered complimentary nonalcoholic beverages for years, though Southwest has historically been more generous with snacks as well.

How Does Allegiant First Compare to Frontier and JetBlue BlueFirst?

Budget and low-cost carriers are racing into premium. Here’s where Allegiant First sits within that landscape:

JetBlue’s BlueFirst is positioned between its EvenMore extra-legroom product and its lie-flat Mint business class. It also introduces a “Base” (basic economy-style) fare tier within first class  meaning you can buy a cheaper BlueFirst ticket that still includes a carry-on but restricts seat selection and adds change fees. Allegiant has not confirmed a similar tiered structure for Allegiant First.

Frontier’s first class rolled out earlier, targeting its Frontier Miles loyalty members with complimentary space-available upgrades at Gold status or higher. Allegiant has not announced a comparable upgrade pathway yet.

When Can You Buy Allegiant First Class Tickets and Which Routes Will Have It?

Allegiant First tickets are expected to go on sale in mid-August 2026, ahead of the cabin’s spring 2027 launch. As of the announcement date, Allegiant has not confirmed which specific routes or aircraft will feature the new cabin. Additional deployment details are expected later in 2026.

Key things still unknown:

• Which routes will receive Allegiant First
• Whether every flight on a selected route will include the cabin
• The exact price of Allegiant First tickets
• Whether upgrade paths from economy will be available

Travelers interested in booking should check allegiantair.com for availability once tickets go on sale in mid-August.

Why Are Budget Airlines All Adding Premium Cabins Right Now?

The timing isn’t coincidental. Spirit Airlines filed for bankruptcy in 2024, exposing the limits of a pure ultra-low-cost model in a market where passengers increasingly prioritize comfort alongside price. Frontier, JetBlue, and now Allegiant have all moved to fill the gap  offering premium products that generate higher per-seat revenue without abandoning their core low-fare positioning.

Allegiant’s announcement also comes shortly after its acquisition of Sun Country Airlines, another leisure-focused carrier. The combined entity serves approximately 22 million annual customers. Introducing consistent premium offerings across both airlines creates a stronger commercial framework  and a more direct competitor to Spirit-era customers who now need a new airline home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Allegiant have a first class cabin in 2026?
Not yet. Allegiant First is expected to debut on select aircraft in spring 2027. Tickets are projected to go on sale in mid-August 2026. The existing Allegiant Extra product offers extra legroom and priority boarding but is not a separate first class cabin.

How many first class seats does Allegiant First have?
Eight seats per aircraft, arranged in a 2×2 configuration across the first two rows. This makes it a small-cabin product similar in size to domestic first class on regional American or Delta flights.

Is a checked bag free with Allegiant First?
Yes. Allegiant First includes one personal item, one carry-on bag, and one checked bag up to 70 lbs at no additional charge. Standard economy passengers pay bag fees for carry-ons and checked luggage.

What is the weight limit for the checked bag on Allegiant First?
70 lbs  20 lbs more than Allegiant’s standard 50 lb economy limit. Bags over 50 lbs in economy incur a $50 overweight fee; Allegiant First absorbs this entirely up to 70 lbs.

Does Allegiant give free drinks to all passengers?
Yes, starting August 1, 2026. All Allegiant passengers receive complimentary nonalcoholic beverages (sodas, juice, water) on every flight. Free alcoholic beverages are available only to Allways Rewards Visa cardholders (one per flight, up to $16 value).

Will Allegiant First replace Allegiant Extra?
No. Allegiant confirmed that Allegiant First will complement  not replace  Allegiant Extra. Travelers will have three tiers: standard economy, Allegiant Extra (extra legroom, priority boarding), and Allegiant First (premium cabin, included bags, upgraded service).

Can you upgrade to Allegiant First from economy?
Allegiant has not announced an upgrade program for Allegiant First as of the July 2026 announcement. Details on upgrade eligibility and Allways Rewards redemption options are expected later in 2026.

How does Allegiant First compare to JetBlue BlueFirst?
Both are domestic first class recliner products debuting in 2026–2027. JetBlue BlueFirst offers carry-on inclusion across all fare tiers and will eventually appear on all JetBlue planes without Mint. Allegiant First includes a checked bag (up to 70 lbs) and launches on select aircraft only. Pricing for both products has not been fully disclosed.

Which budget airlines now have first class?
As of mid-2026, Frontier Airlines began rolling out first class seats in early 2026. JetBlue announced its BlueFirst cabin debuting by end of 2026. Allegiant’s Allegiant First is scheduled for spring 2027. Southwest Airlines has discussed airport lounges but has not announced a first class product.

What happens to Allegiant baggage fees if you don’t book Allegiant First?
Nothing changes for standard economy passengers. Personal items remain free. Carry-on and checked bag fees still apply, typically ranging from $18 to $50+ per bag depending on route and booking timing. Overweight fees ($50 for 51–70 lbs) also remain for economy travelers.