Allegiant Air
is one of the United States’ more unique airlines. Utilizing an ultra-low-cost business model, the airline has carved out a profitable market, flying leisure passengers from smaller cities across the United States to popular leisure destinations.
However, more recently, the airline has encountered conflict with its pilots, who insist that its management team ratify a new contract that would result in better pay and benefits for the carrier’s captains and first officers. The union has begun picketing at Allegiant destinations nationwide as tensions continue to rise.
Allegiant at a Glance
Allegiant stands out from its peers in several ways, including being owned by Allegiant Travel Company. Along with the airline, the parent company owns Sunseeker Resorts. The Sunseeker Resort is located on the Gulf Coast of Flordia, between Sarasota and Fort Myers, and offers a variety of luxurious amenities for guests.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
Allegiant serves 124 destinations across the United States using a fleet composed primarily of Airbus A320
family aircraft (the A319 and A320, but the airline does not operate the A321). However, the carrier recently took delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX 8 200, becoming the first North American operator of the type.
The decision to switch to the Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 likely had to do with lower acquisition costs. The airline’s aging fleet needed a replacement, and given the delays and quality control issues that have plagued the program, Allegiant might have gotten the new aircraft for a much lower price than next-generation A320neos.
Photo: Preston Fiedler
The 737 MAX 8-200 is a variant of the 737 MAX 8 designed to accommodate more passengers for low-cost carriers like Allegiant or Ryanair. By installing an extra emergency exit, Allegiant can fit more passengers in its aircraft and lower total trip costs, supporting its low-cost business model.
Related
Allegiant Pilots Warming Up For Strike
Allegiant Air and its pilots are still not in agreement, and if mediation fails, the pilots say they will strike.
Picketing Pilots
Labor relations at Allegiant are continuing to sour as its pilots’ union begins informational pickets to protest airline management’s inaction. One of Allegiant’s biggest bases, Orlando Sanford Airport, saw 63 pilots gather before the terminal to voice their desire for a fair labor contract.
According to the Allegiant Pilots Association Teamsters Local 2118, pilots have worked for four years without an amended contract. The union hopes that with a new agreement, pilots will see a pay bump that better reflects what other airlines currently pay their crews.
Allegiant has claimed that it has already offered a contract with a 50% pay increase, but the union points out that behind the raises comes concessions in other areas, including work rules, scheduling, and seniority that would adversely affect the quality of life of Allegiant pilots. Allegiant pilots are already some of the most underpaid in today’s industry, the union claims
The pilots’ union is currently in mediation with Allegiant’s management team. In October 2024, 97.4% of pilots voted to strike, a serious threat to Allegiant’s operations and financial outlook. Pilots refusing to work would result in mass cancelations and disruptions that would harm brand image, customer trust and loyalty, and economic performance.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
Orlando was just one of many cities where picketing pilots were seen. On December 10, 2024, 100 pilots picketed at St. Pete-Clearwater Airport. According to the Des Moines Register, 30 Allegiant pilots also picketed at Des Moines International Airport. These widespread tensions indicate that a strike could be on the horizon.
However, Allegiant and its passengers can breathe a sigh of relief for the holiday season. Federal laws require a 30-day “cooling period” before pilots can legally go on strike. So, passengers traveling for Christmas or New Year’s won’t be affected by operational disruptions.
Photo: Allegiant
Meanwhile, at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, pilots from Lexington, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Dayton also picketed behind the cause. Local news source FOX 19 reported that Allegiant stated it has already made a generous offer that involves an immediate 50% pay bump on hourly wages that will scale to 70% over the coming years.
