Allegiant Air is an American ultra-low-cost airline based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Founded in 1997, the airline is a subsidiary of Allegiant Travel Company and is one of the country's largest commercial airlines. Since its inception, Allegiant Air has grown to become one of the most popular and successful budget airlines in the United States.
Allegiant Air was established in 1997 as WestJet Express, an air charter business operated by WestJet Airlines. The airline initially operated charter flights between Las Vegas and smaller cities in the western United States. In 1998, WestJet launched scheduled service using Boeing 727-200 aircraft, which allowed the airline to rapidly expand into new markets.
In 2001, WestJet Express was rebranded as Allegiant Air. The airline began to expand its operations to include scheduled service to more cities in the western United States. By 2003, Allegiant Air had grown to become one of the largest carriers in the Las Vegas area, operating flights to over 30 cities.
In 2005, Allegiant Air became the first low-cost carrier to offer service to Hawaii. The airline launched flights between Las Vegas and Honolulu, making it the first airline in the United States to offer low-cost service to the islands. This was a major milestone for the airline and helped to solidify its position as one of the most successful budget airlines in the country.
In 2006, Allegiant Air made history once again when it launched the first low-cost service to the Caribbean. The airline began flights between Las Vegas and Puerto Rico, offering travelers an affordable way to experience the Caribbean.
In 2007, Allegiant Air began offering service to Mexico. The airline launched flights between Las Vegas and Cancun and later expanded to other destinations in Mexico such as Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas.
In 2012, Allegiant Air experienced a major setback when one of its aircraft crashed in Nevada. The crash, which killed all five people on board, was the first fatal accident involving an Allegiant Air plane. The airline took immediate steps to improve safety and was cleared of any wrongdoing in the accident.
In 2017, Allegiant Air celebrated its 20th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the airline announced a major expansion of its operations, adding flights to more than 100 cities across the United States, including some international destinations. The airline also announced that it would begin to operate flights using Airbus A320 aircraft.
Today, Allegiant Air is one of the largest and most successful low-cost airlines in the United States. The airline operates a fleet of more than 80 aircraft and offers flights to more than 130 destinations worldwide. The airline is also known for its innovative approach to airfare, offering special fares and discounts to help travelers save money.
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