Allegiant Seat Selection: Key Facts

• Seat selection is a paid add-on on most Allegiant fares
• Skip it and a seat is assigned automatically at check-in
• Exit row seats offer extra legroom and require a higher fee
• Families and groups must pay to guarantee sitting together
• Cheapest time to select: during booking

Quick Answer:What is Allegiant seat selection?

Allegiant seat selection is a paid service that allows passengers to choose their seat in advance. If not selected, a seat is assigned automatically at check-in based on availability.

• Available during booking, after booking through Manage Travel, or at online check-in
• Not included in the base fare on most bookings
• Seat prices vary by position, route, and timing
• Skipping selection risks a middle seat toward the rear on busy flights

Why Allegiant Seat Selection Works Differently

Most full-service airlines include standard seat selection in the ticket price. Allegiant does not. As an ultra-low-cost carrier, Allegiant sells seat selection as a separate optional service — similar to how it handles carry-on bags and checked baggage.

This means two passengers on the same flight may sit in very different positions depending entirely on whether they paid for a seat or accepted auto-assignment. On a short two-hour Allegiant flight this may not matter much. On a longer domestic route, it matters considerably more.

For context on how this compares to other carriers, see our airline seat selection comparison guide.

How Much Does Allegiant Seat Selection Cost?

Allegiant uses dynamic pricing for seat selection. There is no single published rate — fees vary by seat position, route, demand, and when you select.

General pricing pattern:

• Standard seats toward the rear: lower fee
• Preferred seats at the front or on aisle and window positions: higher fee
• Exit row seats: typically the highest fee in the cabin

Fees are shown on the Allegiant seat map during booking and in Manage Travel after purchase. Selecting early during booking is almost always cheaper than selecting after booking or at the airport.

Where Allegiant Sits Among US Low-Cost Carriers

Allegiant Air operates alongside other budget carriers like Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines, all of which follow a similar unbundled pricing model where seat selection is a paid add-on. Alaska Airlines takes a different approach, including standard seat selection on most Main Cabin fares.

Understanding where Allegiant fits helps set the right expectations before booking — particularly for travelers switching from a full-service carrier for the first time.

Allegiant Air Seat Types at a Glance

Seat Type	Location	What You Get	Cost
Standard Seat	Throughout cabin	Basic economy seating	Lower fee
Preferred Seat	Front cabin, aisle, window	Better location, faster exit	Higher fee
Extra Legroom Seat	Exit rows	More legroom	Highest fee

Seat availability varies by aircraft and route. Always confirm current options on the seat map during booking at allegiantair.com.

What Most Travelers Regret About Allegiant Seating

A few situations come up repeatedly with Allegiant passengers:

• Skipping seat selection to save money and ending up in a middle seat on a three-hour flight
• Families booking separately and not realizing they need to pay to sit together
• Solo budget travelers accepting auto-assignment and boarding to find the only remaining seats are middle rows
• Waiting until check-in hoping for a better seat, only to find preferred positions already taken

None of these are difficult to avoid. The common thread is not thinking about seating at the time of booking.

Is Paying for Extra Legroom Actually Worth It?

On Allegiant flights, extra legroom seats are located at emergency exit rows. Whether they are worth paying for depends on your trip.

Worth paying for if:

• Your flight is over two hours
• You are taller than average and standard seat pitch feels cramped
• You want to stretch out on a leisure trip
• The fee is modest relative to the route length

Probably not worth it if:

• Your flight is under 90 minutes
• Budget is the main priority
• You are comfortable in a standard seat

Exit row passengers must meet safety requirements — you must be able to assist in an emergency if required. Allegiant may reassign passengers who do not qualify.

Understanding the Allegiant Seat Map

The Allegiant seat map is available during booking and in Manage Travel afterward. It shows available seats, positions, and current prices before you confirm.

Key things to know:

• Prices change dynamically — the same seat can cost more as the flight fills
• Exit rows are marked separately and require eligibility confirmation before selecting
• Preferred seats toward the front show at a higher price than standard rows

Checking the seat map early gives you the most accurate view of what is available on your specific route.

Why the Total Cost Is Often Higher Than the Fare

Allegiant’s base fare is the starting point, not the full picture. Seat selection, carry-on bags, and checked baggage are all priced separately.

Many travelers assume a cheaper fare means a cheaper trip. On Allegiant, the total depends on what you add. Comparing the all-in cost before booking rather than the headline fare is always the smarter approach.

Best Seats for Long Allegiant Flights

Allegiant operates primarily to leisure destinations. On longer domestic routes, seat position makes a real difference.

• Best for sleeping or leaning : Window seat, any row. You control the shade and have a wall to rest against
• Best for getting up easily : Aisle seat. Practical for anyone who moves around frequently or has a long flight ahead
• Best for legroom : Exit row seats. Noticeable extra space, worth the fee on flights over two hours
• Best for quick exit : Preferred seats toward the front. Faster deplaning and easier overhead bin access
• Avoid : Middle seats in the rear. These are almost always what gets auto-assigned and are the least comfortable option on a full flight

When Seat Selection Matters Most

Not every Allegiant flight requires paying for a seat. Here is a practical guide:

Seat selection matters more when:

• You are flying with family or a group who need to sit together
• Your flight is over two hours
• You have a tight connection after landing and need to exit quickly
• You are a taller traveler who needs legroom
• The flight is on a popular leisure route that fills up quickly

You can reasonably skip it when:

• You are flying solo on a short route
• You genuinely do not mind where you sit
• Budget is the priority and saving the seat fee matters more than position

Smart Ways to Avoid a Bad Seat Assignment on Allegiant

• Select your seat during booking — this is when the most options are available at the lowest price
• Check the seat map before deciding — see exactly what is available and what each position costs
• On popular routes, act early — preferred and exit row seats sell out faster than standard positions
• If travelling as a family, book seats together at the time of purchase — Allegiant does not automatically seat groups together
• Check in online as early as possible if you skipped seat selection — some standard seats may still be available at the 24-hour window

Travelers who want to avoid surprise fees should check our Allegiant baggage fees breakdown before finalising their booking. For anyone still deciding what to pack, our carry-on restrictions guide covers cabin bag rules and personal item limits for Allegiant flights. 

Real Scenario: Family of Four on a Leisure Flight

A family of four books an Allegiant flight from Phoenix to Orlando. They skip seat selection to save money. At check-in, four seats remain — none of them together. Two adults end up in middle seats in different rows, and the children are seated separately.

Had they selected seats at booking, four adjacent seats in the same row were available at a modest fee per person. The total cost of that selection would have been less than the stress and inconvenience of boarding a full flight and trying to reorganize seating with other passengers.

For family trips especially, seat selection on Allegiant is one of the few add-ons that consistently justifies the cost.

How Allegiant Seating Compares to Other Airlines

Allegiant does not offer a business class or premium economy cabin. The seating product is economy-only, with preferred and exit row positions as the only upgrades available.

Compared with Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines, Allegiant follows a broadly similar model — seat selection is paid and auto-assignment is the free alternative. None of the three offer a premium cabin product in the traditional sense.

Compared with Alaska Airlines or Southwest Airlines, Allegiant offers fewer seat selection inclusions in the base fare. Southwest’s open boarding model is different entirely, while Alaska includes standard seat selection on most Main Cabin fares.

Before You Choose Your Seat on Allegiant

Seat prices and availability vary by route and change dynamically. Always confirm current seat fees and options on the seat map during booking at allegiantair.com. Policies may change before departure — verify directly with Allegiant Air before your flight.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Reviewed by: Travel Content Team, FlyTripInfo

Expertise: Airline policies, fare rules, baggage & seating systems

Last fact-check: June 2026 

Flytripinfo.com provides independent travel guidance and is not affiliated with Allegiant Air.

Disclaimer: All information on Flytripinfo.com is provided for general travel guidance only. Airline policies, seat fees, and allowances can change at any time without prior notice. While we strive to keep our content accurate and updated, travelers should always verify details directly with the airline before their journey. Flytripinfo.com is not responsible for any errors, delays, or decisions made based on the information provided.