Allegiant First: New Premium Seats Available for Purchase on Certain Routes
Allegiant Air has started selling first-class seats under the name "Allegiant First" on select routes, with the first flights departing in March 2027. For example, a flight from Punta Gorda to St. Louis shows a first-class fare of $428 one-way, about 2.5 times the economy price. The premium ticket includes free carry-on and checked bags, and is fully refundable with no change fees.
Allegiant's premium cabin rollout is deliberately narrow at first. The carrier is limiting the new seats to routes touching Punta Gorda, its Florida hub, and will only install them on incoming Boeing 737 MAX deliveries. Just 23 aircraft in the combined fleet of roughly 195 jets will receive the configuration, meaning most Allegiant passengers won't encounter the option.
The pricing structure marks a notable departure from the airline's ultra-low-cost model. A first-class fare on the Punta Gorda-to-St. Louis route runs about $428 one-way, roughly two and a half times the $167 economy ticket. That premium includes baggage allowances and flexible booking terms typically absent from budget fares.
This move could signal a broader shift in the budget airline segment, as carriers increasingly court travelers willing to pay more for comfort. Leisure passengers who previously chose Allegiant for rock-bottom prices may now face a wider fare gap, potentially making premium options aspir