Allegiant adds 5 new domestic routes that aren't operated by any other airline
Allegiant Air is out with its latest expansion.
The Las Vegas-based carrier filed plans over the weekend to launch five new domestic routes, as seen in Cirium schedules. (Allegiant had announced the routes in late May, but didn't actually file them in global airline timetables until this weekend.)
The new routes commence later this summer and connect the following airports:
- Beginning Aug. 29: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and South Bend International Airport (SBN) in South Bend, Indiana
- Beginning Sept. 4: McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) near Knoxville, Tennessee, and Memphis International Airport (MEM)
- Beginning Oct. 2: Gulf Shores International Airport (GUF) in Gulf Shores, Alabama, and Appleton International Airport (ATW) in Appleton, Wisconsin
- Beginning Oct. 3: GUF and Des Moines International Airport (DSM); TYS and Key West International Airport (EYW) in Key West, Florida
As you can see, these routes are far from the typical new flights that major U.S. airlines like to launch. Allegiant's unique ultra-low-cost point-to-point business model means that the airline seeks to connect secondary and tertiary cities with nonstop flights to popular vacation hubs.
In this case, the airline is significantly increasing service to popular beaches across Alabama and Florida, and to the Smoky Mountains via Knoxville.
In fact, the airline already has a pretty sizable presence in many of the key gateways that are receiving more service. For instance, Allegiant is the only carrier operating at Alabama's Gulf Shores International Airport (GUF). The airline will soon offer eight destinations from GUF, quickly turning this airport into a fast-growing outstation for Allegiant.
Meanwhile, the airline has operating bases in Appleton, Des Moines, Fort Lauderdale and Knoxville, meaning that all of those cities are already well served by Allegiant. This should also make it easier for Allegiant to market and generate demand for the new flights, as the carrier already has a base of flyers in these existing markets.
Speaking of demand generation, the airline is out with some pretty attractive introductory fares. TYS-MEM service starts at $39 each way, while flights between TYS and EYW start at $49. All the other routes start at $59 each way.
Interestingly, this route expansion includes a rare intrastate route for Allegiant, and one that hasn't been flown in over a decade. Allegiant's 342-mile TYS-MEM flight will be the first time these two cities have been connected by air since Southern Airways Express flew this hourlong service back in May 2015, Cirium schedules show. Before that, Northwest Airlines (and postmerger, Delta Air Lines) had operated this service for years from its hub in Memphis.
In fact, this will be Allegiant's first-ever intra-Tennessee route, according to Cirium schedules. Without this flight, travelers would need to take a nearly six-hour drive across Interstate 40 to get between the two cities.
The real question, however, is how many people are actually making this drive today — and how many are willing to take a nonstop flight instead. Department of Transportation data shows that just over 10 passengers a day were willing to take a connecting itinerary between Knoxville and Memphis last year, but that number only jumped to just over 20 passengers a day when nonstop flights were offered a decade ago.
As such, it'll be interesting to see how Allegiant fares in all these new markets, especially on its first-ever intra-Tennessee route.
Related reading:
- When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
- The best airline credit cards
- What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees