Flying Allegiant Air with Kids: Everything You Need to Know Before You Book

If you’ve ever stumbled across a flight deal that feels too good to be true, chances are it was with Allegiant Air.

As a family travel writer (and mom who has learned a few lessons the hard way), I’ve flown Allegiant multiple times—both solo and with kids—and I can tell you this: it has quickly risen to one of my favorite airlines, even without the bells and whistles. But if you know what to expect, it can save you hundreds on travel and a few meltdowns.

This guide breaks down exactly how to fly Allegiant successfully—what to expect, what to bring, and how to avoid those sneaky extra fees.

What Makes Allegiant Air Different Than Other Carriers?

Allegiant Air is an ultra-low-cost carrier, which means:

• Base fares are very cheap
• Almost everything else costs extra

They primarily fly:

• From smaller regional airports
• To vacation destinations (think Florida, Arizona, Las Vegas)

Why we love it: You can often score nonstop flights from smaller airports—which means fewer layovers with kids. Smaller airports are easier to navigate and often don’t have long TSA lines. Pricing is another major win, making air travel more attainable and opening up new vacation destinations to families on a budget.

Now, let’s break down step-by-step what you need to know when flying Allegiant Air.

Step 1: Before You Book Your Flight

1. Know What’s Included (and What’s Not)

Your base ticket typically includes:

• One personal item (like a backpack or purse). Your Personal Item (such as a purse, briefcase, or small backpack) must be stored completely under the seat in front of you. Maximum dimensions are 8 in. x 14 in. x 18 in. (20cm x 35cm x 45cm)
  • We have used the following as personal items when flying Allegiant, which has gotten us through a weekend and even a whole week (warmer clothing).
    • Underseat Pro Backpack
    • Take Off Luggage – You will have to remove the wheels

You’ll pay extra EACH WAY for:

• Carry-on bags
• Checked luggage
• Seat selection
• Priority boarding

Pro tip: Always price out your total before booking. A $49 flight can quickly become $150+ per person. If that is the case, you may find another airline that includes a carry-on to be the better deal.

2. Choose Your Airport Carefully

Allegiant often flies out of smaller airports, which can be a huge win for families.

Why this matters:

• Shorter security lines
• Less walking with kids
• Easier parking

But:

• Flights are limited (sometimes only 2–3 days per week)
• The drive to your actual destination may be longer than you expected. A common example is for families flying into Orlando. Orlando International Airport (MCO) is only 13 miles from popular attractions such as Disney World and Universal Studios, while Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) is 27 miles away, resulting in a longer drive.

Something to Consider: If you miss your Allegiant flight, you may be stuck for days waiting for another Allegiant flight. Often, passengers whose flight is canceled or missed will have to book with another airline or at another airport if another Allegiant flight is not scheduled for several days.

3. Check the Flight Schedule Carefully

Allegiant doesn’t operate as many flights as major airlines.

• Flights may only operate a few times per week
• Delays or cancellations can be harder to recover from

Rule of thumb: Avoid tight schedules (like weddings or cruises the same day you land). If you are cruising, I recommend getting there a full day in advance. Check out my guide for first-time cruisers to make sure you come prepared!

Money Saving Tip

If you have flexibility in your travel plans, you can purchase tickets at the Allegiant counter to save online processing fees. However, you risk the flight being full when you arrive at the airport.

4. Seating ( Families READ THIS)

Seats are randomly assigned unless you pay. While Allegiant will try its best to seat children under 13 with their guardian, it is not required. Contrary to popular belief, the FAA only encourages airlines to guarantee that young children are seated with their accompanying adult. Not required. So if you want to ensure your kids are next to you, you will have to pay for a seating assignment.

If you’re traveling with kids:

• You may be seated together—but it’s not guaranteed
• DO NOT EXPECT ANOTHER PASSENGER TO GIVE UP THEIR SEAT. While I would easily give up my seat for another parent, many others have paid for their seat selections and won’t budge. It is your responsibility as a parent to plan and book accordingly for your children.
• Any child 2 and up must pay for their own seat and can’t be seated in an exit row. FAA-approved car seats may be used onboard.
• There is no charge for checking or gate-checking one car seat and one stroller per fare-paying passenger.

My advice: Pay for seats if sitting together matters (especially with younger kids). My daughter is a bit older and doesn’t mind sitting with strangers on short flights, but Allegiant has been great about ensuring she is seated next to her father or me without charging the preferred seat fee.

Traveling With A Lap Infant?

For children under twenty-four months of age on the date of travel, there are two booking options:

• either as a ticketed passenger seated in an FAA-approved car seat or
• as a lap child on the seat of an adult on the same reservation.

When you enter the child’s date of birth on the home page search widget, you will be offered a choice of travel preferences. Proof of age is required for lap children.

Due to FAA safety regulations, children may not be seated in an exit row, and only one lap child per row is allowed due to the number of oxygen masks per row. Children seated in car seats must be placed in a window seat and may not be placed in an aisle seat, between a passenger and the aisle, or in the exit row or rows directly in front of or behind an exit row.

Should I Upgrade To Allegiant Extra?

Allegiant Extra is really about comfort and convenience, not bundled perks. You’ll get extra legroom, earlier boarding, and dedicated overhead bin space—but you’ll still need to pay separately for things like carry-ons, snacks, and drinks. It is only available on select flights.

Are You Traveling With Special Needs?

Allegiant offers various levels of assistance for passengers traveling with special needs. To learn more, visit their dedicated Special Needs page to find answers to any questions.

Step 2: Packing Smart (This Is Where You Save Money)

Personal Item Rules

Your free personal item must fit under the seat:

• Backpack
• Diaper bag
• Small tote

Note: Allegiant will make you consolidate your items. Meaning, if you have a crossbody purse, you will need to put it in your personal item before boarding. Otherwise, they will count the crossbody as your personal item.

What I Pack in My Personal Item (Family Edition) When Paying For A Carry-On or Checked Bag

• Change of clothes for kids/ swimsuits
• Snacks (lots of them)
• Refillable water bottles (empty through security)
• Tablets + headphones
• Wipes + hand sanitizer

Pro tip: Use packing cubes to maximize space, or try the new travel vacuum-sealing bags.

Flying Only Personal Item Tips

My family frequently uses a personal item to fit everything we need for our trips, especially warm-weather trips. While it is not for everyone, it does require you to bring only what you need. It has made traveling more enjoyable as I don’t have to wait to check bags or wait to retrieve them. Laundry at the end of the trip is more manageable as well.

Here are a few tips:

• Plan out every single outfit, with one shirt to spare. Try to mix and match when you can.
  • Use washers and dryers if your rental has them.
• I wear a pair of gym shoes when I fly and pack a pair of sandals for the pool or for going out and about.
• Buy travel bottles, fill them with your shampoo and conditioner if you don’t want to use the ones provided by your accommodations.
• A quick reminder that most destinations have Walmarts, Targets, and grocery stores, so you can buy any necessities down there if you don’t want to travel with them.
• Consider renting baby gear at your destination instead of flying with it.
• If paying for a seat for a child, remember they also get a personal item. Don’t squander it with one of their tiny backpacks, they insist on bringing. Get the biggest backpack allowed and fill it. Often their clothing doesn’t take up much space, allowing any overflow from my personal items to fit.
• Wear your biggest items, such as a sweatshirt, to the airport.

Carry-On vs Checked Bag: What’s Worth It?

The answer to this question will vary by family and trip. If traveling in cold weather, it may be impossible to fit everything into a personal item and carry-on, whereas if you are only visiting the beach for three days, you might make only a personal item work.

Per Allegiant, here are the Baggage Regulations as of 2026:

You can purchase One Carry-On Bag per passenger

Your one Carry-on Bag (such as a roll-aboard or garment bag) must fit in the overhead bin. Maximum size is 10 in. x 16 in. x 22 in. (25cm x 40cm x 55cm).

You can pre-purchase up to 4 Checked Bags per passenger

Each checked bag can weigh up to 50 pounds (22 kilos). Maximum size is 80 linear inches (203 centimeters) in height + width + length. Additional charges apply for bags weighing more than 50 pounds, sporting equipment, and/or oversize/excess baggage.

A Few Helpful Tips:

• Carry-ons are cheaper if purchased in advance
• Airport pricing is significantly higher

For families, I usually recommend:

• Share one checked bag
• Max out personal items

Step 3: At the Airport

1. Check-In Process

• Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure
• Boarding passes can be digital or printed. They will charge you $5 if they have to print out your boarding passes.
• Bring your child’s birth certificate or passport. We have needed this twice while flying Allegiant.
• Adults will need a REAL ID (or accepted alternative) to fly within the U.S. If you do not have an accepted form of identification, you can opt to use TSA ConfirmID to verify your identity for a $45 fee.

Checking a Bag?

The bag drop for your flight opens two hours prior to your flight. That means if you arrive at the airport any earlier, you may be stuck waiting until the counter opens. And at smaller airports (where Allegiant flies most), the counter is often literally not staffed before that window.

My rule of thumb:

If carry-on only → you can go through security earlier and relax.

If checking a bag → arrive about 2 hours before (not earlier).

Step 4: Onboard Experience

Let’s set expectations clearly…

What You Won’t Get for Free

• Snacks
• Drinks
• WiFi
• Seatback screens – they are not on Allegiant planes.

What It’s Actually Like

• Seats are more basic (less padding, limited recline)
• Flights are usually nonstop. I always say, we can do anything for a few hours!
• Crews are generally friendly
• You can get a complimentary cup of water
• Snacks and drinks are available for purchase, including alcoholic drinks. If you have an Allegiant credit card, you get one free drink per flight.
•  Wi-Fi is not available on Allegiant flights, so you need to download any digital entertainment before your flight.

Step 5: What to Bring Onboard (Don’t Skip This)

Since nothing is included, your bag matters a lot.

Must-Haves for Kids

• Snacks and drinks (more than you think you need)
• MOM TIP: Bring suckers or gum for kids to chew during takeoff and landing to help them adjust to the pressure changes.
• Entertainment (download shows and games ahead of time)
• Headphones
• Small toys or coloring books
  • I love these Melissa and Doug reusable sticker activity books and puffy sticker travel play set
  • These writing tablets were a huge hit, and easy to play tic-tac-toe, draw, and send messages back and forth.

Must-Haves for Adults

• Reusable water bottle- fill it prior to boarding at one of the airport fill stations.
• Entertainment -book, download podcasts, shows, and games ahead of time.
• Credit card (they don’t accept cash onboard)

Step 6: Money-Saving Tips (This Is Where Allegiant Shines)

1. Book Early

Prices go up quickly as flights fill.

2. Skip the Extras You Don’t Need

Ask yourself:

• Do I really need a carry-on?
• Can we share a suitcase?
• Do I care where I sit for a 2-hour flight?

3. Bring Your Own Everything

• Snacks
• Drinks (buy after security) or bring a reusable water bottle to fill after security
• Entertainment

4. Watch for Bundle Deals

Allegiant offers bundles that include:

• Bags
• Seats
• Priority boarding

Note: Sometimes these are cheaper than buying separately—but not always. Do the math.

5. Be Flexible with Dates

Since flights aren’t daily:

• Shifting your trip by a day or two can save a lot of money.
• Pull up the flight’s calendar to see if there is a more affordable date. I have saved a lot by just moving our vacation by one week.

6. Use Google Flights to Find Flight Deals

If you are a bargain hunter and flexible on destination and time, head over to Google Flights and search from your home airport. Just type in the airport you are looking at flights from and leave the rest blank. Hit explore.

Google Flights will pull up some awesome travel deals across the country and around the world, many of which include Allegiant Air.

7. Snag Allegiant Miles and Perks with the Allegiant Credit Card

If you plan to fly with Allegiant regularly, consider getting an Allways Rewards Visa Credit Card. Cardholders earn points on everyday purchases, including higher rewards on Allegiant flights, hotels, and vacation packages, as well as dining and other spending categories.

These points can be redeemed directly for future Allegiant travel with no blackout dates or minimum redemption requirements, making it especially flexible for families planning trips around school schedules.

Additional perks like priority check-in and boarding, a complimentary onboard beverage, and occasional bonus offers or companion airfare deals can enhance your travel experience. While the card does have an annual fee, it can easily pay for itself if you regularly book with Allegiant and take advantage of its travel-focused benefits.

Final Thoughts from a Travel Mom

Flying Allegiant Air isn’t about luxury—it’s about strategy.

When you treat it like a budget-friendly tool instead of a full-service experience, it opens up so many affordable travel opportunities for families.

And honestly? I’ll take a cheap nonstop flight with snacks packed from home over a long layover with cranky kids any day.

AWESOME TRIPS I’VE TAKEN ON ALLEGIANT

A Perfect Long Weekend on Florida’s Space Coast

Your Perfect Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Itinerary

SAVE THIS FOR FUTURE TRAVELS