For the First Time, Allegiant Air Learns What It’s Like to Configure a New Airplane
Photo Credit: Allegiant Air soon will take delivery of its first new Airbus A320. Allegiant has never taken a new aircraft. Airbus / P. Pigeyre
Skift Take
Did you know how much effort went into designing a plane's cabin? Skift got the scoop from Allegiant Air, which will take its first new airplane from Airbus later this month.
On 18 planes in Allegiant Air's fleet, a bright orange stripe runs along the overhead bins, stretching from front door to the rear bathrooms. It's an accent familiar to anyone who has flown EasyJet, the European discounter.
For its 20-year history, Allegiant, one of three ultra low cost U.S. airlines, has bought used airplanes. First, the airline took gas-guzzling MD-80s, but more recently it has preferred newer and more fuel-efficient Airbus A319s and A320s. They often come from EasyJet and three other airlines — Iberia and Vueling in Spain, and Cebu Pacific in the Philippines.
United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Delta Air Lines — all used-plane buyers — often spend months and significant sums reconfiguring cabins so they look identical to their other aircraft. But usually, planes join Allegiant’s fleet looking as they did when they flew from Manila to Butuan for Cebu Pacific, or from London to Palma de Majorca for EasyJet.
Removing extras other airlines added �
