Allegiant Air, founded in 1997 in Las Vegas, Nevada, started as a small, low-cost carrier aiming to connect underserved cities in the U.S. to popular leisure destinations. Its inaugural flight took place in 1998, with Allegiant initially using a fleet of used DC-9 aircraft. By 2001, the airline restructured as an ultra-low-cost carrier focused on flights to smaller, secondary airports, which became central to its unique business model.
In 2002, Allegiant moved its headquarters to Las Vegas, and by 2005, it had fully transitioned to the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 series aircraft, which would become a mainstay in its fleet. The MD-80 series allowed Allegiant to offer reliable, lower-cost operations and helped solidify its niche within the U.S. market. These jets remained with Allegiant until 2018, when they were retired after a long tenure as Allegiant’s backbone, marking the end of an era.
In 2010, Allegiant added Boeing 757s to its fleet, which were specifically used to operate flights from the U.S. mainland to Hawaii. Although these jets enabled Allegiant to extend its reach, they had a relatively short service life with the airline. By 2017, Allegiant retired its Boeing 757s due to strategic changes and the airline’s focus on more cost-efficient, fuel-saving aircraft.
In recent years, Allegiant has continued its shift to an all-Airbus fleet, primarily operating A319 and A320 aircraft, allowing the airline to maintain lower operating costs while serving a growing network. Today, Allegiant’s fleet is entirely Airbus, reflecting the airline’s commitment to efficiency and modernity, as it adapts to evolving travel trends and the increased demand for affordable leisure travel.
Allegiant Air’s MD-80 Fleet
By Eddie Maloney from North Las Vegas, USA (N878GA) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
These were all acquired (or leased) second-hand, with many starting their lives serving with airlines like SAS, Korean Air, Midway Airlines, Japan Air System, and even British Island Airways.
Following their retirement by the airline, all of the MD-80 series aircraft were sent to storage at airports such as Victorville Southern California Logistics Airport, Opa Locka (Florida), Blytheville (Georgia) and Oscoda Wurtsmith (Wisconsin).
Although some were returned to leasing companies and were earmarked for onward lease or sale, very few ever saw service again and most have now been scrapped.
Allegiant Air’s Boeing 757 Fleet
Allegiant Air Boeing 757-200 (c) Erik Ritterbach
The Boeing 757 fleet operated by Allegiant Air numbered some 6 examples, used primarily on high density and longer range routes more suited to the type.
They were all acquired second-hand, having previously been flown by Britannia Airways (later ThomsonFly) in the UK.
They were flown between 2010 and 2017 and, upon retirement, were all stored and parted out at Victorville’s Southern California Logistics Airport.
Some may exist in part at the time of writing.
Do you remember seeing Allegiant Air’s Boeing 757 or MD-80 aircraft? Did you ever fly on one? Leave a comment below!
