A lesser-known US budget airline announced 44 new routes to smaller and underserved cities. See the full list.

20.11.2024 - 00:03 / insider.com / Drew Wells

Lesser-known budget airline Allegiant Air announced 44 new routes to smaller cities across the US.

These routes aren't necessarily flashy, but they'll likely help rural communities seeking better nonstop connections to more cities across the US.

For example, residents of Colorado Springs will be able to connect to Phoenix, Orange County, California, and St. Petersburg, Florida, on Allegiant instead of driving 72 miles to Denver or requiring a one-stop connection from the small town's local airport.

This strategy follows Allegiant's yearslong leisure-focused business model, which capitalizes on strong demand during peak periods, such as the holidays, summer, and school breaks.

"Our research shows that customers increasingly want affordability and convenience when they fly," Allegiant CCO Drew Wells said in a press release. The company said the large network expansion was driven by Allegiant's "commitment to providing ultra-low-cost airfare to underserved communities with limited or no air service."

Breeze Airways' CEO David Neeleman told Business Insider in November that overlapping too many routes has been a pitfall of budget rivals Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines.

These airlines have overhauled their businesses this year to better meet flyer expectations and have largely focused on bigger markets to compete with mainline airlines. However, Neeleman said they should seek more business in underserved areas — like Breeze and Allegiant do.

While most of Allegiant's nearly four dozen new routes have no competition, a handful will share a market.

For example, some of the carrier's new routes will compete with United Airlines in Washington Dulles and American Airlines and Southwest Airlines in Phoenix.

Allegiant's newly introduced low fares may pressure the mainlines to drop their prices to compete.

For example, Allegiant's new route between Dulles and Knoxville, Tennessee, costs $139 roundtrip in late May, not including any extras. Adding a carry-on and an assigned seat takes that to $245.

United's basic economy roundtrip fare, which also doesn't include a carry-on, on the same route during the same dates is $347. With carry-on luggage, the price is about $500.

Allegiant's flights aren't daily like United's, however — a common practice for the ultra-low-cost airline.

Still, Allegiant is likely banking that customers find the money savings worth its lesser frequencies and cabin experience. The airline boasts the classic no-frills budget business model where everything — including water — costs extra.

Here's a closer look at Allegiant's 44 new routes: