Allegiant Air Flights Now Available on Expedia

Allegiant Air flights are now available for purchase on Expedia, marking a significant shift in the budget airline's distribution strategy. This move, announced Tuesday, is part of an exclusive one-year online distribution agreement between Allegiant and Expedia. Previously, Allegiant exclusively sold tickets through its own website. The partnership aims to increase the visibility of Allegiant flights among a broader consumer base, particularly those who may not be familiar with the airline.

While base fares are bookable on Expedia, certain add-ons such as checked bags and seat assignments are not. Travelers will need to purchase these extras directly from Allegiant's website. This could potentially lead to higher overall costs for travelers who might otherwise benefit from Allegiant's bundled fare options, which include "basic," "bonus," and "total" packages offering varying combinations of seat assignments, carry-on bags, and checked bags.

The integration of Allegiant flights onto Expedia coincides with the airline's ongoing merger with Sun Country Airlines. Allegiant acquired Sun Country in May, with the expectation of generating approximately $140 million in annual benefits from the deal. A key objective of this merger is to enhance Allegiant's presence in the Midwest, leveraging Sun Country's primary hub at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). The distribution expansion through Expedia is also intended to complement the broader goals of the Sun Country merger, which include strengthening Allegiant's distribution channels and developing a more comprehensive cobranded credit card and loyalty program.

Robert Neal, whose specific title was not fully transcribed in the provided text, stated that the company's plans involve consolidating into a single Allegiant brand with the intention of increasing capacity and expanding service into the Minneapolis-St. Paul market. This strategic alignment between distribution channels and merger objectives underscores Allegiant's commitment to growth and market penetration.