Allegiant Targets 17% Growth with 737-8 MAX Boost
US ultra-low-cost carrier Allegiant is set to make a strong comeback in 2025 with an aggressive growth schedule fueled by additional Boeing 737-8 MAX deliveries. The airline aims for a 17% year-over-year increase in available seat miles (ASM), marking a return to the robust annual growth levels it enjoyed before the COVID pandemic.
Founded in 1997, Allegiant has always focused on connecting leisure travelers from small and midsize cities to their dream vacation spots. Last year, the airline carried 17 million passengers across more than 550 routes, serving 124 cities in 41 US states. “We are solely designed to take leisure passengers from their small and midsize cities to the places where they want to go on vacation,” said John Pepper, Allegiant’s vice president for corporate development and government affairs, while speaking at Routes Americas 2025 in Nassau, Bahamas.
For 2025, Allegiant is planning a major schedule expansion that includes launching 44 new routes and adding service to three additional cities. A significant element of this growth plan is the integration of more Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft into its fleet. After taking delivery of four MAX planes last year, Allegiant anticipates receiving nine more in 2025, which will boost the total to 13 by year-end. This infusion of modern aircraft is expected to support the airline’s growth through busy travel periods, particularly during the U.S. spring break vacation season.
The new Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft are configured with 190 seats, offering an additional 10 seats per plane compared to the older Airbus A320s currently in service. This increase in capacity is not just about numbers—it also enhances the overall passenger experience. Among the new features are the Allegiant Extra seats, which number 21 per aircraft. These seats come with extra legroom, priority boarding, a complimentary snack, and dedicated overhead bin space. According to Pepper, this upgraded product is resonating well with leisure travelers, reinforcing the airline’s commitment to a superior travel experience.
Pepper expressed confidence in the growth strategy, noting that the schedule is built with the assumption that Boeing will deliver the new MAX aircraft as planned. “With the additional MAXs, we are confident of receiving sufficient aircraft to support our growth plan at least through the 2025 U.S. spring break vacation period,” he said. “Beyond that, we are looking at nine airplanes, and we believe we have built a schedule that we expect Boeing will be able to deliver.”
This expansion not only highlights Allegiant’s focus on increasing capacity and frequency on its existing routes but also positions the carrier to explore new markets. By replacing larger, less-efficient widebodies with the more nimble 737-8 MAX, Allegiant can better serve markets that only require a modest number of seats year-round, thus maintaining a consistent presence even on thinner routes.
As the travel industry continues to rebound, Allegiant’s strategic plan to integrate more Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft into its fleet is a clear signal of its intent to capture additional leisure travel demand. With a combination of new routes, fleet modernization, and enhanced passenger comfort features, the airline is well poised to achieve dynamic growth and solidify its position in the competitive US travel market in 2025 and beyond.
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