Allegiant is moving upmarket (just like everyone else…). Beginning this weekend, every passenger will receive a complimentary nonalcoholic beverage, and next spring the airline will introduce a genuine first class cabin with wider seats, more legroom, and included baggage. Considering Allegiant now owns Sun Country, I cannot help but wonder whether one beloved feature from the old Sun Country might eventually return as well: a proper hot meal (obviously I’m dreaming…).
Allegiant Adds First Class And Free Drinks As It Moves Upmarket
Allegiant Airlines is introducing two customer-friendly upgrades: complimentary beverages for all passengers and a new premium cabin called Allegiant First.
Beginning August 1, 2026, every Allegiant passenger will receive complimentary soft drinks, juice, or water onboard.
That is a big change for an ultra-low-cost carrier that has traditionally charged for nearly everything beyond the seat itself, though it matches what its Sun County unit has been offering passengers aboard for years (more on that below).
Allways Rewards Visa cardholders will receive an expanded complimentary selection, including coffee, protein shakes, sports drinks, or one alcoholic beverage and mixer valued at up to $16.
Then, beginning in spring 2027, Allegiant will begin installing a proper first class cabin on select aircraft.
According to the Allegiant, each Allegiant First cabin will contain eight seats arranged in a 2-2 configuration at the front of the aircraft.
The seats will feature:
- 37 inches of pitch
- Five inches of recline
- Calf rests
- Adjustable headrests
- Priority check-in and boarding
- One personal item
- One carry-on bag
- One checked bag weighing up to 70 pounds
Allegiant says the new cabin will complement, rather than replace, Allegiant Extra, its existing extra-legroom product.
Seats are expected to go on sale in mid-August, though Allegiant has not yet disclosed which aircraft or routes will receive the new cabin first.
Sun Country’s Influence Is Obvious
This announcement comes less than three months after Allegiant completed its acquisition of Sun Country Airlines.
The airlines continue to operate separately for now, but Allegiant specifically described the free beverages and premium seating as part of the combined carrier’s broader commercial strategy.
That makes sense.
Sun Country already offers complimentary soft drinks, juice, water, and coffee, while its aircraft include a small section of larger premium seats near the front. Allegiant is essentially borrowing elements that have worked at Sun Country and expanding them across its own network.
But there is one former Sun Country feature I would love to see return.
Years ago, Sun Country operated a genuine first class cabin with a remarkably good onboard meal service. On my 2017 Sun Country first class flight from Los Angeles to Minneapolis, dinner included a cheese plate, warm garlic bread, beef kabobs with saffron rice and grilled vegetables, a salad, and a warm chocolate chip cookie.
It was one of the best domestic first class meals I had enjoyed on a U.S. airline, even all these years later.
Sun Country later eliminated first class as it transitioned toward a lower-cost model, and those excellent meals disappeared with it.
Could Allegiant bring them back?
Probably not, at least initially.
The press release mentions “enhanced amenities and upgraded service elements,”and adds that “complimentary drinks & snacks” will be available in Allegiant First. I’m thinking it will be a model like Breeze Ascent Class, but we’ll see.
Still, Allegiant now owns the airline that once demonstrated how good a value-focused domestic first class product could be. I’d love to see that return…
CONCLUSION
Allegiant will begin offering complimentary nonalcoholic beverages to every passenger on August 1 and will introduce an eight-seat Allegiant First cabin on select aircraft beginning in spring 2027.
This represents a notable shift for an airline best known for low fares and extensive unbundling.
I welcome both changes and think a reasonably priced first class option may prove attractive on Allegiant’s longer leisure routes.
Now bring back those Sun Country beef kabobs!
Matthew, you’re one of the few bloggers who actually reviewed Sun Country, back in the day. I think it’s good that we see more premium options because more supply means healthy competition. Allegiant is actually doing a decent job financially, providing that LCC’s can still work in the US (RIP Spirit),m; they just require disciplined management. That said, G4 is relying on Boeing to actually deliver these new aircraft with the new cabins, and I wouldn’t hold my breath on timely deliveries. Hope they will pull this off.
Agree would like to see premium hot meals even for purchase
That would certainly be the LCC-version; like, the hot-meals as optional ad-ons. Sure, a full-service legacy carrier may be expected to include them, but even AA, DL, UA, etc. do not on flights shorter than 1,000 miles, etc. I say, even on a 1.5 hour flight, having a few (let’s say, Hawaiian Airlines-style hot-pockets) they can heat-up and throw at you for an extra $10-20 may be good for everyone (the hungry passengers, their bottom lines, etc.)
Which some budget carriers in Europe are are able to do without issue!
I’m shocked how SQ will operate a literal wide-body a359 on as short a route as SIN-KUL and serve a full-meal in J. And gracefully! Not throwing trays at people. Like, wowza!
@Greg, if an airline does it right, an unheated meal can be delightful. Heck, some ham or turkey with cheese on a quality roll/bread (with mayo and Dijon on the side) sounds good. Add a side salad and/or kettle chips and a wrapped cookie/brownie/fruit cup/etc., and I’m good.
Have a contest to see who could come up with the best box meal under $X. Put the top three in the cabin.
So after Allegiant strands you in a small market airport and you sleep on the floor in the baggage claim area because they sold you a ticket for a flight that they only actually reasonably complete 25% of the time, they’ll give you a free soda once you finally get in the sky on their plane.
This sounds great.
The free sprite will probably distract you so that you don’t watch any 60 minutes investigations about Allegiant, or learn how to really investigate what percentage of their flights actually depart within 2 hours of the scheduled departure time.
The best thing I have seen Allegiant do in the past decade was build the Sunseeker resort.
My slogan for Allegiant is this:
Never Allegiant. Never.
Well stated!
More power and best of good luck to G4!
During my trucking days I flew Sun Country LAX-MSP circa 2011. I upgraded to First Class and there was a meal but there was no choice of entrees.