How strict is Allegiant Air when it comes to carry-on or personal item size?

Maybe you’ve flown Allegiant in the past, or maybe you’re about to try the airline out for the first time. Still, you might be wondering about how strict the airline is regarding passenger luggage size restrictions for carry-on and personal items.

I am going to cover a number of questions I have received about Allegiant’s carry-on and personal item policies as well as share links to relevant and important information.

And if you need new carry-on bags, take a look at these Allegiant-compliant ones:

This great carry-on bag is for travelers that want to get the best value out of their luggage investment.

This Travel Pro bag could end up being the last carry-on bag you ever purchase! 

How Strict is Allegiant Air With Its Carry-on Luggage Policies?

So, just how strict is Allegiant Air with carry-on item restrictions?

Allegiant Air is considered to be relatively strict among travelers, and the carrier allows passengers to bring on board one personal item (e.g., a purse, handbag, briefcase, small backpack, etc.) free of charge that must be easily stored underneath the seat in front of you. One carry-on bag (e.g., (e.g., roll-aboard luggage, garment bag, etc.) per passenger may be purchased, as well.

Allegiant Air is not nearly as concerned with carry-on item weight, as it is with its size. If any of your carry-on items happen to be to be deemed oversized, there’s a very good chance you’ll end up paying additional fees, especially if you’re on a full flight.  

Allegiant, like other carriers, implements its own policies, taking into account Travel Safety Administration (TSA) requirements.  

Carry-on items have size restrictions, but typically not weight restrictions, and they are stowed in the luggage bins overhead of the passenger seats. Personal items typically are stowed underneath the seat of each passenger, though they may need to go in the overhead bin, as well. 

Allegiant Air’s Baggage Policy

Including handles and straps, your personal item on Allegiant flights is not to exceed: 

16″ L (40 cm) x 15″ W (38 cm) x 7″ H (17 cm)
Items any larger than these dimensions may need to be checked, even if at the gate during boarding.

Paid carry-on items, including handles, straps, and wheels cannot exceed
22″ L (55 cm) x 14″ W (35 cm) x 9″ H (22 cm), OR 45 total linear inches/114 linear cm (L + W + H).
and need to be able to fit under the seat in front of you, or in the overhead bin.

Allegiant does not currently impose weight restrictions for passenger carry-on or personal items, as long as they can be lifted into the overhead bin without assistance if the item does not fit beneath the seat in front of you.

Take some preemptive cautionary steps beforehand and invest in some JetBlue-compliant carry-on luggage, so that you can travel with peace of mind.

Related: Can a Small Suitcase Be a Personal Item on Your Flight?

How Can I Measure My Carry-on Items to Make Sure They Fit on an Allegiant Air Flight?

To help you verify your carry-on items conform with Allegiant restrictions, the carrier recommends taking note of bag sizers at airport locations that feature its required 22″ x 14″ x 9″ dimensions.

It’s also a good idea to measure your carry-on bag before you leave for the airport, to ensure that your entire bag, along with the wheels and handles, falls within Allegiant size requirements.

It’s important to remember that the three dimensional measurements together – length + width + height – cannot add up to more than 45 linear inches/114 linear cm. If you happen to be traveling with a soft-sided or expandable suitcase, you may want to measure your carry-on again after it’s packed, to ensure it still complies. 

My Allegiant-compliant Baggage Recommendations

Need a recommendation for carry-on baggage for flying with Allegiant Air? I personally swear by the following Allegiant-compliant carry-on bags because of the carrier’s strictness with its carry-on size policies. 

This is a great carry-on bag for great lasting value out with your travel baggage investment.

This Travel Pro bag is one you’ll fall in love with (like I did!), and it could end up becoming the very last carry-on bag you’ll ever purchase! 

Allegiant Air’s Carry-on Luggage Allowance

Allegiant Air passengers are allowed to each bring one personal item on board its flights, with the opportunity to pay for one carry-on item per passenger.  

If your carry-on item has been deemed to be in excess of baggage dimension requirements (it should be able to fit in an overhead luggage bin or underneath the seat in front of you), you will likely have to check it for a fee (Fees for your first and second checked bags are up to $35 per bag each way (the specific amount depends on your departure and arrival airports).

You can reserve bags pre-departure through “Manage Travel” or at “Online Check-In,” but fees are slightly higher, costing between $15 and $45 each way.). 

Bringing Carry-on Liquid Items Onto Allegiant Air Flights

You are allowed to bring liquid items onboard Allegiant flights in accordance with TSA regulations, as long as they make it through TSA security checkpoints. 

Liquid items in question include your toiletries and all other liquids and creams you may want to pack along. The TSA allows containers/bottles with no more than 3.4 fl. oz. / 100 fl. ml.

These liquid toiletries/items also need to be packed neatly into a re-sealable clear Ziploc-style plastic baggie, like these gallon size baggies. Your baggie can’t be any larger than 7.8 x 7.8 inches (20 x 20 centimeters).

You’ll find plenty more information here on our TravelontheFly site about what items you are and aren’t allowed to bring on a plane with you.

You can also verify these requirements on the TSA’s website

How Strict Is Allegiant Air With Your Carry-on Size?

Allegiant Air is known among travelers to be relatively strict about their carry-on baggage size/weight policies, but you shouldn’t have to worry about anything as long as your item(s) fit in the overhead bin above you or underneath the seat in front of you.

To make your flight as worry-free as possible I’d suggest complying with the airline’s policies. If you need a new carry-on bag that will fit Allegiant’s (and other carriers’) size policies, get this bag and never even think about it again.

How Strict Is Allegiant Air Regarding Your Carry-on Baggage Weight?

Most airlines, including Allegiant, are not concerned with carry-on/personal item weight, but carry-on items should be able to be stowed comfortably in the appropriate spaces. Meeting the size dimensions of your carry-on bags I mentioned above should cover all your bases.

Should I Risk Flying on Allegiant Airlines With an Oversized Carry-on?

Should you risk trying to get a slightly larger carry-on bag onboard an Allegiant flight? I’d have to agree with most veteran travelers, and ask you, “Do you like paying extra fees? Why even risk it?” Keep in mind that if your bag is only slightly larger than Allegiant’s specified size requirements, you’ll likely be OK.

Worst-case scenario if your carry-on is deemed oversized, is that you will have to check your bag for $35 (for first or 2nd checked bag, if paid for when you book your flight). According to Allegiant’s website, “bag fees paid at the airport are $50 each way per passenger, per bag for a carry-on bag and for the first 5 checked bags.”

PRO TIP – You have a better chance of getting away with a slightly larger piece of luggage if your carry-on is soft-sided. That‘s why I have highlighted and pointed you toward soft-sided bags like this one here. They are a little easier to squeeze into tight spots, including into the overhead bins on a plane!

Allegiant Air Checked Baggage Fees

Allegiant’s website states, “At the time of booking: Save money by reserving your checked and carry-on baggage when you purchase your tickets online. Fees for the first and second checked bag are up to $35 per bag, each way with the specific amount depending on your departure and arrival airports.

At Pre-Departure: You can also reserve bags pre-departure through Manage Travel or at Online Check-In, but prices are slightly higher and will cost $15 to $45 each way.”

I travel with a bag that is slightly larger than many airline regulations and I have never been asked to check it. I can’t guarantee that you won’t be asked to.

Your best bet is to travel with baggage that is within Allegiant’s size and weight policies, and then you will never have to worry about it!

You can read more about Allegiant Air’s checked bag policies here, as you’re preparing for a specific upcoming flight.

Where Can I Find a Quality Travel Bag That’s Within Allegiant Air’s Carry-on Luggage Limits?

I highly recommend this great carry-on bag that is a great value for the money.

And this Travel Pro bag is perfect, even for the most finicky travelers. 

How Strict Is Allegiant Air With Its “One Personal Item” Policy?

Especially because of its competitive airfares, Allegiant Air is relatively strict in regard to baggage sizes and weights–especially for full flights. One small personal item is allowed per passenger (e.g., purse, handbag, briefcase, laptop bag, backpack, and medically necessary items). As long as your personal item can easily be carried and stored underneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead luggage bin, Allegiant Air representatives likely won’t ask to verify its size.

Allegiant Air’s Personal Item Policy

Your personal item ( e.g., purse, shoulder bag, backpack, diaper bag, etc.) must fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead bin above.

Carrying Additional Items Onto Allegiant Air Flights

In addition to your carry-on bag and personal item onboard Allegiant flights, you are also allowed to bring small items, such as a jacket/sweatshirt, blanket, umbrella, book, duty-free items, a reasonably sized stuffed animal, food/drink purchased past the security checkpoint, crutches, strollers, camera, etc. These won’t count as personal items, unless they’re larger things that take up space overhead or underneath a seat, like purses, shoulder bags, backpacks, briefcases, large camera cases, etc.

Is the First Checked Bag Free on Allegiant Flights?

Is your first checked bag on Allegiant free? Allegiant charges for all items other than your free personal item. You can save money by reserving your checked and carry-on baggage when you purchase your airfare. Fees for the first and second checked bag are up to $35 per bag, each way with the specific amount depending on your departure and arrival airports.

You can also reserve bags pre-departure through “Manage Travel” or at “Online Check-In,” but prices will be slightly higher (between $15 and $45 each way).

Remember that Allegiant bag fees paid at the airport will cost you $50 each way per passenger, per bag for a carry-on bag and for the first 5 checked bags.

Checked bags on Allegiant flights must weigh less than 40 pounds (18 kilos) and measure under 80 total linear inches (203 centimeters) in length + width + height. Additional charges may apply for overweight bags, oversize bags, sporting equipment and/or excess baggage.

  • Oversized Checked Bag: length + width + height ( L + W + H) measuring more than 80 linear inches (203.2 cm) = $75.00 additional per
  • Overweight Bags: between 41 and 70 pounds (18.6-31.8 kilos) = $50.00 additional per
  • Overweight Bags: between 71 and 99 pounds (32.2-45.4 kilos) = $75.00 additional per

So, How Strict is Allegiant Air About Carry-on and Personal Items?

Allegiant passengers are each allowed to take one carry-on bag and one personal item on board its flights, in accordance with TSA regulations–note that Allegiant charges for bags other than your free personal item. Any carry-on items should be able to fit in an overhead luggage bin, or one of them should be able to fit underneath the seat in front of you.

Invest in carry-on baggage that complies with JetBlue regulations, like this one.In case you choose to take a risk on an Allegiant Air flight by bringing a slightly larger bag, be sure to at least use a soft-sided bag so you’ll be able to better navigate it into a tight space. Bags that need to be checked at the airport will cost you $50 per bag, each way.

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