pipercub

ALLEGIANT AIR ANNOUNCES NEW BASE IN L.A.
Airline to Launch Low-Cost Service May 1 , Fares as Low as $39* One-way

(Los Angeles)--- Low-cost airline, Allegiant Air, LLC , a subsidiary of Allegiant Travel Company (Nasdaq: ALGT), today announced it will establish a new base in the world-class, leisure destination Los Angeles , with low-fare, nonstop jet service from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) beginning May 1.

Flying to/from America’s favorite small cities, Allegiant plans to launch the new service with flights to LAX from 12 markets already served by the carrier. Introductory low fares begin as low as $39* each way.

“We’re extremely pleased to add Los Angeles and the Southern California region to our growing roster of world-class leisure destinations,” Maurice J. Gallagher, Allegiant Air president & CEO, said. “This is an exciting new market for our airline and our customers. We look forward to a successful relationship with the airport, area resorts and community leaders.”

"Allegiant Air has operated successfully in a very challenging aviation marketplace by attracting travelers with the right mix of service options and value," said Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA).
To announce the new route, on online contest took place at the company’s website. Nearly 50,000 entries were made to guess the airline’s newest destination.
The self-proclaimed “Official Airline for Sunshine” will base two 150-seat, MD-80 series jet aircraft at Los Angeles International Airport. This new base will serve as the sixth world-class, leisure destination for the Las Vegas-based airline, which also serves McCarran International Airport (Las Vegas), Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, Orlando Sanford International Airport, St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport.
With the addition of Los Angeles, Allegiant Air currently provides nonstop scheduled service to 70 U.S. cities. The low-cost carrier provides nonstop service from 40 U.S. markets to Las Vegas, 12 markets to Los Angeles, 15 markets to Phoenix-Mesa, 30 markets to Orlando and 20 markets to the Tampa Bay area and from six markets to Fort Lauderdale. In addition to its scheduled service, the airline also operates charter service throughout the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
Through the company’s Allegiant Vacations division, Allegiant will offer low-cost hotel packages with many premiere hotels in the Los Angeles and Southern California area, including: Sheraton Universal Hotel, Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, Hyatt Regency Long Beach, Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, Marina del Ray Marriott and The Westin Los Angeles Airport. The company will provide low-cost car rental service through its partnership with Alamo Rent a Car .
Reservations can be made on the airline’s website at www. allegiantair .com , through the airline’s Reservations and Information Center at 702-505-8888 or through professional travel agents. Those seeking employment information are encouraged to visit www.allegiantair.com/aaCareers.php .

About the introductory, one-way fares:
*Seats are limited. Fares are one-way and not available on all flights. Must be purchased by March 11, 2009 for travel completed by Sept. 30, 2009. Offer not available May 22-25, 2009 and July 2-6, 2009. Prices do not include PFC, segment tax or Sept. 11 security fee of up to $10.60 per segment. A segment is one take-off and one landing. A convenience fee of $13.50 per passenger will apply when booked on allegiantair.com. A convenience fee of $13.50 per passenger, plus $10.00 per segment, will apply when purchased through Allegiant Air call center. Purchases made at any Allegiant Air Airport Ticket Office will not incur a convenience or call-center fee. When purchased at time of booking, a fee of $15 for first checked bag and $25 for second checked bag will apply per person, per segment. If purchased at flight check-in, a fee of $25 for the first checked bag and $35 for the second checked bag per person, per segment will apply. In all cases additional higher fees will apply for three or more checked bags. Fare rules, routes and schedules are subject to change without notice. Restrictions apply.

About the Company
Las Vegas based Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT), is focused on linking travelers in small cities to world-class leisure destinations such as Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix-Mesa, Orlando, Fla., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla. Through its subsidiary, Allegiant Air, the Company operates a low-cost, high-efficiency, all-jet passenger airline offering air travel both on a stand-alone basis and bundled with hotel rooms, rental cars and other travel related services.
LAWA is the Los Angeles City department that owns and operates LAX, LA/Ontario International (ONT) and Van Nuys airports (VNY).

Green Banana

Another low cost carrier willing to take a loss to "Buy market share"
BRILLIANT!

11Fan

And just how many airlines fly to these destinations from LAX again?

Just wondering whose "market share" you think they are taking.

And I don't remember them taking a loss. Matter of fact, quite the opposite.

I don't buy Green Bannanas.

3wire

Good article on Allegiant in the Marketplace section of the WSJ today (bottom of pg 1).

MWright

So, you're making fun of the exact way they've made it where they are today?

Brilliant!

Perhaps they should jump into a saturated market such as NYC-LAX or DEN-ORD.

C5skippy

Does anyone have any info on Allegiant? Is it a good company to work for? I saw they are accepting resumes, know that doesn't necessarily mean they are hiring, just curious if there are any thoughts.

ExperimentalAB

They can have that LAX-DSM run...On the UEX side I don't think I saw more than 20 for loads. And that was with the City of DSM subsidizing!

BURflyer

Ordinarily those flights would not even be half full but if they only have them two or three times a week, they might work. Out of all those cities I only see a few that might work.

pipercub

People said this same thing when we entered florida and again in phoenix. Phoenix was profitable as a hub within 90 days of starting operation.

Allegiant does not lose money on any route. If a route does not make money it gets cut. If any of the routes dont make money in 90 days to 6 months they will pull it and fly to another of the 100+ small towns out there wanting allegaint service

All those cities however are current Allegiant Cities from one or more of our other hub cities. Keep in mind we have been running a 131 pax ave out of 150 pax A/C for over a year now. We made 56 million last year doing just that. We as pilots are getting a profit share check in march, we got pay increase last Nov another coming this Nov, unlike the paycuts most everyone else it taking. We hired pilots this year not furlough and are planing hiring more in the fall.

UCLAbruins

Why LAX??? that airport is so congested, AA, DL, SW and UA call it a "hub", and its expensive to operate out of there.

Orange County, Burbank, Ontario, Long Beach are near by, why LAX?? why mess with the big boys. Bold move