Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air will impose a $35 fee per flight segment on passengers taking carry-on luggage stowed in overhead bins beginning with Wednesday bookings, the airline confirmed Monday.
Allegiant President Andrew Levy announced the new policy in a memo to employees on Friday.
Under the new policy, passengers will be allowed to take one free carry-on piece, no larger than 7 by 15 by 16 inches, that could fit under the seat in front of them. Larger carry-ons with a maximum weight of 25 pounds, like roll-aboard and garment bags, would be subject to the new fee. Luggage with a weight of 26 or more pounds must be checked, which carries a $35 fee if done at the airport and $15 to $30 if done online.
“Next Tuesday evening, we will introduce the newest change to our product menu and provide travelers with options and fees for carry-on bags,” Levy’s memo said. “Under this new structure, passengers will be permitted to bring one personal item that can be placed under the seat in front of them (like a purse, briefcase, laptop, etc.) for free, and if they choose to bring a larger carry-on bag to be placed in the overhead bins, they may do so for a fee.”
The new fee doesn’t affect passengers who already have purchased tickets, but on bookings made after Tuesday night.
Allegiant is the second airline to charge a carry-on luggage fee. Florida-based Spirit Airlines also charges passengers carry-on fees at rates similar to Allegiant’s.
Allegiant offers deeply discounted fares on flights linking small cities with resorts and is one of the most aggressive airlines in the institution of ancillary fees to supplement revenue.
In addition to baggage fees, Allegiant charges extra for tickets purchased through its reservation call centers and online, for early boarding and seat selection and for food served on flights.
Allegiant reported generating $210 million in ancillary revenue in 2011, about 27 percent of its total revenue for the year.
For the first two months of 2012, it was the fourth busiest commercial air carrier at McCarran International Airport.