Allegiant Airlines Carry-On Rules: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re planning to travel with just a carry-on, you’ll need to be up to speed with your airline’s carry-on policy.  Each airline’s rules are different, so don’t just assume what works for one, will work for all airlines.  This is especially true if you are flying a low-cost airline, like Allegiant.

Low-cost airlines may have lower base fares, but if you aren’t careful, you will end up paying more because of all the “a la carte” fees they have.   These include fees for both checked and carry-on luggage (as well as seat assignments, beverages, printing your boarding pass, etc..).

Spirit is the worst offender, but Allegiant can be challenging as well if you aren’t careful.

If you are going to be flying Allegiant, here are the carry-on rules you need to be aware of regarding size, weight, fees, liquids, etc.

Allegiant Airlines Carry-On Size & Weight Limits

Allegiant allows one personal item onboard at no charge, but they charge for both carry-on and checked bags.  The personal item must fit under the seat in front of you, and the carry-on bag must be stowed in the overhead bin or it will have to be checked.

Allegiant Airlines Carry-On Size & Fees

Allegiant’s size requirements for a carry-on are 22″ x 14″ x 9″.

Carry-on bag fees vary based on when you purchase and are non-refundable.  The following are the fees you will pay for your carry-on, each way, depending on your destination.

• During Booking: $18 – $25
• Before & During Online Check-In: $45
• At the Airport: $50

Allegiant Airlines Personal Item Size

Allegiant allows every passenger to bring one personal item onboard with them at no additional charge. Your personal item  must be stored completely underneath the seat in front of you.

Personal items can include a purse, briefcase, laptop, camera case, backpack, or a similar-sized item.  Personal item dimensions must not exceed 16 x 15 x 7 inches (17.8 x 38.1 x 40.6 centimeters).

Carry-On Weight Limits

Allegiant does not have a weight limit for carry-on bags.

Allegiant Airlines Carry-On Liquids Policy

The rules for carry-on liquids are set by the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), not by the airline.  Allegiant doesn’t have its own specific Liquids Policy, they just enforce the rules and policies of the TSA.

It’s also important to note that the rules for bringing a “liquid” in your carry-on bag are different from the rules that govern what you can bring in your checked luggage. Liquids in a carry-on bag must be 3.4 ounces or smaller and fit in a 1 quart-sized container. Anything larger must be placed in your checked luggage.

The TSA 3-1-1 Rule

Each passenger may carry liquids, gels, and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels, and aerosols. Common travel items that must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule include toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, perfume, mouthwash, deodorant, and lotion.

Any liquid that does not meet the TSA 3-1-1 rule will either have to be checked with your luggage or will be thrown away at the security checkpoint.

Here is a little video to help illustrate:

Exceptions to this rule are certain medications and baby food/child nourishment.

Carry-On Food

The TSA also sets the rules for what type of food you can bring on the plane. There are two different scenarios pertaining to food: 

• The food you bring with you from home, and
• The food you buy at the airport after you have gone through security.

When bringing food with you from home, an important thing to note is the classification of liquid vs. solid foods.  

The general rule is “If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it, or pour it, then it’s considered a liquid or gel,”.   This means your food may be considered a liquid and will fall under the TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule, which mandates that any liquid, gel, cream, aerosol, or paste in a carry-on must be 3.4 ounces or less, and fit in one quart-size resealable bag (only one such bag is allowed per passenger).

Here’s a link to the TSA website advising what food can be brought with you on your Allegiant flight.  This only applies to food you are bringing from home through security.   Once you get through security, you can bring just about any food on the plane that you buy at the airport.

Allegiant Airlines Carry-On Pet Policy

Allegiant Airlines allows live animals/pets (domestic cats and dogs only) in the passenger cabin of the aircraft in a soft-sided carrier for flights within the 48 contiguous states.  Travel to international destinations and U.S. territories, including San Juan, Puerto Rico may not accept all pets.

Allegiant does not allow pets to be checked as baggage.

If you are going to bring a pet on board with you, it must be able to fit in a small, ventilated pet carrier that fits under the seat in front of you.  Your pet carrier cannot exceed 16″ x 10″ x 8″.

Here are a couple of other guidelines when traveling with a pet:

• Each paid traveler may have only one pet carrier.
• While at the airport terminal and onboard the aircraft, pets must remain completely in the carrier and only be handled by the traveler.
• All animals are required to be harmless, non-disruptive, and odorless.
• Pets cannot be ill, violent, or in physical distress.
• Pet(s) must fit comfortably in the carrier and may not protrude from the carrier.
• Passengers with pets may not occupy an exit row, one row before/after an exit row, or occupy a seat in the bulkhead.
• Passengers with pets must check in with an Allegiant agent at the ticket counter or gate counter at least one (1) hour prior to scheduled departure to ensure pets and pet carriers are compliant with the above guidelines.
• Allegiant does not transport animals in the cargo bin.
• A health certificate is not required.
• Allegiant assumes no responsibility for the health and well-being of pets in the cabin.
• Contact TSA.gov for information regarding clearing TSA security.
• Passengers who do not comply with the above guidelines may be denied boarding.

Allegiant Carry-On Pet Fees

Here’s a chart showing the pet fees Allegiant charges each way.   Double them for a round-trip flight.

To/From Destination	Pet Fee Each Way
Any Allegiant Destination	$ 100.00

This fee does not apply to service animals of passengers with disabilities.

TSA Approved Pet Carrier for Allegiant

If you do plan on bringing your pet with you, make sure you follow TSA’s pet policy and have an approved Pet Carrier that conforms to Allegiant’s pet policy.

Prohibited Items

There are certain items that are considered dangerous and classified as hazardous material.  Dangerous goods are prohibited from both your carry-on and checked bag on all Allegiant flights.  These rules are not specific to Allegiant and are mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Items considered “dangerous goods” are prohibited under Allegiant’s carry-on policy and include the following:

• Firearms and ammunition
• Mace and pepper spray
• Poisonous, infectious, or radioactive substances
• Sharp objects (knives, cutting instruments, razors, ice picks, carpet knives, metal scissors, box cutters, or similar items) 
• Any beverage with more than 70 percent alcohol
• Camping equipment containing flammable liquids or gasses 
• Flammable liquids, including gasoline and kerosene
• Hoverboards, including electric skateboards, balance boards, gravity boards, and self-balancing devices
• Medical or liquid oxygen 
• Marijuana 
• Torch lighters, lighter fluid, strike-anywhere matches, and fire starters
• Wet-cell batteries
• Motor oil, hydraulic fluids, brake fluid, and transmission fluid

The following items are not considered “dangerous goods” and are allowed when packaged properly, in accordance with FAA regulations

• Knitting/scissors
• Hiking or trekking poles
• Hair dryer/Straightener
• Hair spray
• Sunscreen/bug spray
• Batteries
• Food as a carry on
• Fishing hooks
• Fragile glass items

A complete list can be found on the FAA and TSA websites.

Allegiant Carry-On Size and Fees

Here’s a link to Allegiant’s Carry-On page to make sure you have the most up-to-date information.

More related articles…

1. 5 Tips to Travel with Just One Bag
2. How to Use Packing Cubes to Travel with Just A Carry-On
3. The Best Carry-On Bags for Regional and Small Jets
4. 5 Essential Things to Stay Organized While on The Road
5. Allegiant Airlines Flight Delays and Cancellation Policy