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

If you plan 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 pay more because of all their “a la carte” fees.   These include costs for checked and carry-on luggage (as well as seat assignments, beverages, printing your boarding pass, etc..).

Spirit and Frontier are the worst offenders, but Allegiant can be challenging as well if you aren’t careful.

In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Allegiant’s carry-on policy. This includes Allegiant’s carry-on size and weight limits, liquid policy, personal items, pets, prohibited items, and other rules and restrictions you should know before boarding your flight.

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 Carry-On Size (Dimensions)

The maximum size for an Allegiant carry-on bag is 10 in. x 16 in. x 22 in. (25cm x 40cm x 55cm)

Baggage fees apply to carry-on and checked bags and vary depending on the route and when the bag is added to your itinerary. Additional charges for sporting equipment and/or overweight and/or oversize and excess baggage may apply.

The following are the fees you will pay for your carry-on and checked bag, each way, depending on your destination.

Time of Purchase	Checked Bag	Carry-On Bag
At Booking (Online)	$35	$30
Pre-Departure (Online)	$45	$45
At Airport (In Person)	$50	$50

If you want to know the exact cost for bags on your specific flight go to the Allegiant Baggage Fees Calculator and enter your travel route and date.

Allegiant Carry-On Weight Limits

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

Recommended Carry-On Bag

If you are looking for a great carry-on bag when flying Allegiant, I recommend the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Expandable Spinner. I have used this carry-on for years. It’s durable, reasonably priced, and holds everything I need for shorter trips. Plus the spinner wheels make it very easy to get through the airport quickly.

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 8 in. x 14 in. x 18 in. (20cm x 35cm x 45cm).

Allegiant Carry-On Liquids

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 this:

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 for 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 entirely 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 before 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 plan on bringing your pet with you, follow TSA’s pet policy and have an approved Pet Carrier that conforms to Allegiant’s pet policy.

I have traveled with 2 dogs over the last 10 years, one was a 20 lb. Shih Tzu-Bichon (in the picture above) and another is a 12lb. Chihuahua mix. We used the Sherpa pet carrier when bringing them on a flight with us and it worked great!

Prohibited and Restricted Items

Certain items are considered dangerous and classified as a hazardous materials.  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.

Prohibited Items:

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

• Firearms and ammunition
• Self-defense sprays, such as mace and pepper spray
• Explosives, including fireworks and flares
• Flammable liquids, including gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene
• Poisonous, infectious, or radioactive substances
• Knives and sharp objects (pocket knives, cutting instruments, razors, ice picks, carpet knives, metal scissors, box cutters, or similar items) 
• Any alcoholic beverage with more than 70 percent alcohol
• Camping equipment containing flammable liquids or gasses 
• Hoverboards, including electric skateboards, balance boards, gravity boards, and self-balancing devices
• Medical or liquid oxygen 
• Torch lighters, lighter fluid, strike-anywhere matches, and fire starters
• Wet-cell batteries

Restricted Items:

The following items are not considered “dangerous goods” and are allowed when packaged properly, following 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

It is important to note that this is not an exhaustive list and that the TSA’s rules and regulations are subject to change. Additional prohibited or restricted goods and materials can be found in the following resources:

• IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations
• TSA Permitted and Prohibited Items
• FAA Packsafe List

Conclusion: Allegiant Carry-On Size & Fees

In conclusion, Allegiant has a very straightforward carry-on policy that’s easy to understand and follow. You can bring one personal item (for free) and one carry-on bag (for a fee), with additional fees for larger bags or additional items.

It’s important to check the specific dimensions and weight restrictions before heading to the airport to avoid any unexpected charges or issues at the airport.

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