Allegiant Airlines to Charge for Carry-Ons
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Comstock/Thinkstock(LAS VEGAS) — Move over Spirit Airlines — there’s another low-cost carrier about to make serious money off passengers’ carry-on baggage.
Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air confirmed to ABC News it will begin charging as much as $35 for carry-on bags for reservations made starting April 4. Reservations made prior to this date will not be affected.
Allegiant Air will be the second domestic airline to charge for carry-on baggage. The move mimics that of Spirit Airlines’ 2010 fee charging passengers up to $45 for carry-on bags.
Passengers who pay online and in advance for carry-on bags on Allegiant will pay $10 to $30 for their carry-ons. The prices are route-specific. This, too, is similar to the Spirit Airlines carry-on bag fee; for example, a person could pay as little as $20 for the carry-on bag if they’re a member of the airline’s $9 fare club and payment is made at time of booking.
Passengers on Allegiant will be allowed one personal item such as a purse or laptop bag free of charge. Anything larger, however, will incur the fee.
When Spirit Airlines made its carry-on fee announcement, it was met with outrage from the traveling public. But today, it seems the airline’s low fares have trumped the anger first felt. Spirit tells ABC News, “Our carry-on bag program has been a huge success and well received by customers and our crew members. It has reduced the number of carry-on bags, which in turn has led to speedier, smoother and safer boarding and deplaning.”
Allegiant Airlines, which was already charging for checked bags, has profited in a time when many companies have struggled. The 2011 fourth-quarter earnings report noted it was the airline’s 36th consecutive quarter of profitability. The airline reported a 10-percent increase in total fares compared with Q4 2010 and a 20-percent increase in total operating revenue.
See where Allegiant flies.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio