Allegiant Air Goes Premium: Introducing First-Class Seats And Free Drinks

Photo source: Unsplash

If you’ve ever flown with an ultra-low-cost carrier, you know the drill: cheap base fares paired with pay-for-everything-else perks. Need a bottle of water? That’ll be a few extra bucks. Want a little extra legroom? Get ready to pay.

However, in a major shift for the budget travel industry, Allegiant Air has announced two huge customer-centric upgrades that are sure to turn heads: free onboard beverages starting August 1, 2026, and a brand-new cabin option called Allegiant First coming in spring 2027.

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🥤 Free Drinks for Everyone Starting August 1

Historically, budget airlines have relied heavily on buy-on-board sales. Allegiant is changing that dynamic by making standard non-alcoholic drinks completely complimentary for all passengers across every flight.

Starting August 1, 2026, passengers can enjoy free:

• Soft drinks and sodas
• Juices
• Water

Perk for Cardholders: Travelers holding the Allways Rewards Visa® card get even better perks—access to elevated drink options, including premium coffees, sports drinks, protein shakes, or a free alcoholic beverage with a mixer on every flight.

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Perhaps the biggest surprise is Allegiant’s entry into the premium seating space. Phasing in on select aircraft starting in Spring 2027, Allegiant First will offer a dedicated cabin at the front of the aircraft designed for travelers who want extra comfort without sacrificing value.

While full cabin layout specs will be released later, the preliminary details promise a vastly upgraded experience:

Allegiant First Feature	What Passengers Get
Seating	Extra legroom, recline, and built-in calf rests.
Airport Perks	Priority check-in and priority boarding.
Baggage Included	Fare includes 1 personal item, 1 carry-on, AND 1 checked bag (up to 70 lbs).

Allegiant First won't replace their existing extra-legroom seats (Allegiant Extra), but will rather sit above them as the top tier of service on select routes. Seats are expected to go on sale as early as mid-August.

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✈️ Why the Shift?

The low-cost carrier model is evolving. Leisure travelers are increasingly looking for more flexibility, comfort, and bundled perks rather than bare-bones travel options. As Chief Commercial Officer Drew Wells noted, this move gives customers more choice and flexibility as the airline modernizes its passenger experience.

For budget travelers who love Allegiant’s point-to-point routes, these upgrades offer the best of both worlds: accessible fares with a touch of premium comfort.

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Frontier Airlines Adds 4 New Routes Across The U.S. And Caribbean

As the crisp autumn air approaches, travelers are already plotting their winter escapes. Frontier Airlines is stepping up to the plate, announcing four brand-new routes launching in late 2026 that will connect key U.S. cities and bridge the mainland with the Caribbean.

Whether you are looking to swap the Midwest snow for Florida sunshine or seeking a daily connection to Puerto Rico, this latest network expansion has something for everyone. Plus, with introductory fares starting as low as $69, these new flights are incredibly wallet-friendly.

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The New Route Breakdown

Frontier is officially launching these routes in November and December 2026. Here is a quick look at where the ultra-low-cost carrier is heading next:

Route	Start Date	Frequency	Introductory Fare
Kansas City (MCI) to Orlando (MCO)	November 20, 2026	4x Weekly	$69
Denver (DEN) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL)	November 20, 2026	Daily	$99
Detroit (DTW) to Los Angeles (LAX)	November 20, 2026	Daily	$99
Houston (IAH) to San Juan (SJU)	December 17, 2026	Daily	$99

Travelore Tip: Introductory fares are for one-way travel and require a 21-day advance purchase. Be mindful of blackout dates around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays if you plan to snag these base rates.

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Route Highlights & Strategy

• Deepening the Caribbean Footprint: The new daily service between Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and San Juan's Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) is a massive win for Texas travelers. Launching just in time for the peak winter holiday season on December 17, this route provides a consistent, daily low-cost option to explore Old San Juan, El Yunque National Forest, and Puerto Rico's stunning beaches. This addition pushes Frontier's San Juan network to a robust 21 destinations.


• Filling the Spirit Void: Industry watchers will notice that routes like Denver to Fort Lauderdale and Detroit to Los Angeles target markets where Spirit Airlines previously held a significant presence. Frontier is strategically moving in to offer a budget-friendly alternative on these high-demand leisure corridors.


• Connecting the Midwest to the Magic: The Kansas City to Orlando route offers a much-needed, affordable escape for Midwestern families heading to Florida's theme park capital just before the holidays.

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The "New Frontier" Experience

If you haven't flown Frontier recently, these new routes might be the perfect time to experience their "New Frontier" initiatives:

• UpFront Plus Seating: Passengers can now book seats in the first two rows, guaranteeing a window or aisle seat with extra legroom and a blocked middle seat for added elbow room.


• Enhanced Loyalty: The airline now offers unlimited companion travel for its most loyal customers, with the flexibility to choose a different companion on every flight.


• Future Upgrades: Looking ahead, Frontier is planning to introduce true First Class seating later in 2026, combining premium space with their trademark affordable prices.
• In a massive shift for the budget carrier, Frontier just announced they are rolling out ultra-fast Starlink Wi-Fi across their fleet starting in early 2027, allowing passengers to stream, work, and browse gate-to-gate.

If you are looking to take advantage of these new routes for a winter getaway, you'll want to book quickly to secure those promotional fares. Safe travels!

Breeze Airways Spreads Its Wings: 3 New Cities and 11 Nonstop Routes Heading Into Fall

The "Seriously Nice" airline is getting seriously bigger.

In a major network expansion, Breeze Airways has officially announced the addition of three brand-new destinations to its route map, alongside a massive rollout of 11 new nonstop routes. For budget-conscious travelers who hate dealing with the headaches of mega-hub airports, this news is an absolute game-changer.

Known for its strategy of connecting underserved secondary markets with point-to-point flights, the low-cost carrier is expanding heavily along the East Coast, Midwest, and Florida. Better yet? Introductory promotional fares are launching as low as $49 one-way.

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Welcoming 3 New Cities to the Breeze Map

The core of this expansion focuses on three new regional gateways, giving local flyers a stress-free alternative to crowded metropolitan hubs:

• Baltimore, Maryland (BWI)
• Dayton, Ohio (DAY)
• Trenton, New Jersey (TTN)

By moving into these airports, Breeze is making it easier than ever for residents in these communities to skip long terminal walks, expensive parking, and unnecessary layovers.

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The New Nonstop Routes & Start Dates

The new flights will roll out progressively between late September and early January. Florida is a massive winner in this expansion, with Vero Beach (VRB) receiving a significant influx of new service.

Here is the full breakdown of the 11 new nonstop routes coming to the schedule:

Launching September:

• Charleston, SC (CHS) to Trenton, NJ (TTN) – Starts Sept 20 (2x weekly, from $59)
• Trenton, NJ (TTN) to Vero Beach, FL (VRB) – Starts Sept 30 (2x weekly, from $89)

Launching October:

• Baltimore, MD (BWI) to Vero Beach, FL (VRB) – Starts Oct 1 (3x weekly, from $79)
• Atlantic City, NJ (ACY) to Vero Beach, FL (VRB) – Starts Oct 2 (2x weekly, from $89)
• Provo, UT (PVU) to Raleigh-Durham, NC (RDU) – Starts Oct 2 (2x weekly, from $99)
• Raleigh-Durham, NC (RDU) to Vero Beach, FL (VRB) – Starts Oct 2 (2x weekly, from $79)
• Baltimore, MD (BWI) to Burlington, VT (BTV) – Starts Oct 4 (3x weekly, from $49)
• Dayton, Ohio (DAY) to Fort Lauderdale, FL (FLL) – Starts Oct 9 (2x weekly, from $69)
• Madison, WI (MSN) to Fort Myers, FL (RSW) – Starts Oct 21 (Seasonal, 2x weekly, from $79)
• Dayton, Ohio (DAY) to Fort Myers, FL (RSW) – Starts Oct 23 (2x weekly, from $69)

Launching November & Beyond:

• Dayton, Ohio (DAY) to Raleigh-Durham, NC (RDU) – Starts Nov 6 (2x weekly, from $49)
• Fort Myers, FL (RSW) to Trenton, NJ (TTN) – Starts Jan 8 (2x weekly, from $89)

*Note: In addition to the direct flights, Breeze is also launching several one-stop, no-change-of-plane "BreezeThru" routes, including Burlington to Vero Beach and Dayton to Sarasota-Bradenton.

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Why This Expansion Matters

Since taking flight, Breeze Airways has steadily firmed up its reputation by doing what major commercial airlines skip: providing direct regional access. By operating modern, comfortable aircraft like the Airbus A220-300, they are proving that low-cost travel doesn't have to mean a low-tier experience.

Whether you're looking to swap the brisk autumn air of Ohio for the sunny shores of Fort Lauderdale, or escape New Jersey for a quiet weekend on Florida's Treasure Coast, these new flights are now officially open for booking on the Breeze Airways website.

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Cross-Border Travel Between The United States And Mexico Made Easier: Volaris Launches Massive 10-Route US-Mexico Expansion

If you’ve been looking for cheaper, easier ways to fly between the United States and Mexico, your summer and winter travel planning just got a whole lot smoother.

Mexican ultra-low-cost carrier Volaris has kicked off June 2026 by doing what it does best: shaking up the market with a massive, rapid-fire network expansion. In the span of just 48 hours, the airline officially commenced operations on 10 brand-new, nonstop transborder routes connecting key cities across the U.S. directly to culturally and economically rich regional hubs in Mexico.

What makes this expansion particularly exciting is the strategy behind it. Volaris is entirely bypassing the heavily congested, high-fee hub of Mexico City. Instead, they are launching these point-to-point flights from high-growth regional destinations like Guadalajara, Puebla, Querétaro, and San Luis Potosí, giving travelers a direct ticket exactly where they want to go.

Here is the breakdown of the 10 new routes and what you need to know to lock in those budget-friendly fares.

The 10 New Volaris Routes: The Full List

The new flights are strategically designed to serve business commuters, vacationers, and passengers visiting friends and family. The 10 new additions include:

✈️ Out of Querétaro (QRO) — 4 New Routes

Querétaro is emerging as a massive strategic node for central Mexico, landing four brand-new U.S. connections:

Houston (IAH) (Operating 3x weekly)

Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) (Operating 3x weekly)

San Antonio (SAT) (Operating 3x weekly)

Orlando (MCO) (Operating 2x weekly)

✈️ Out of Puebla (PBC) — 3 New Routes

Puebla is shedding its reputation as "just a stopover near Mexico City" and establishing itself as a standalone international gateway:

Los Angeles (LAX) (Operating 4x weekly)

Newark Liberty (EWR) (Operating 4x weekly)

Houston (IAH) (Operating 3x weekly)

✈️ Out of Guadalajara (GDL) — 2 New Routes

Volaris’ absolute largest operating base is deepening its U.S. network with two major, heavy-industry manufacturing hubs:

Detroit (DTW) (Operating 3x weekly)

Salt Lake City (SLC) (Operating 3x weekly)

✈️ Out of San Luis Potosí (SLP) — 1 New Route

Chicago Midway (MDW) (Operating 4x weekly) — This marks Chicago’s very first nonstop flight service to the central Mexican state of San Luis Potosí since 2008.

Bigger Planes for Premium Comfort

While Volaris is a budget carrier, it isn't skimping on capacity for these international corridors. Because U.S.-bound routes are incredibly high-demand, the airline is deploying its largest, most modern aircraft for these lines.

The majority of these flights will be operated by Volaris' fleet of stretched Airbus A321-200s and next-generation Airbus A321neo aircraft. These planes offer updated cabin configurations, better fuel efficiency, and a smoother ride across the border.

Tips for Booking and Avoiding Hidden Fees

Because Volaris operates on an ultra-low-cost business model, the base ticket price is incredibly cheap, but "unbundled." To keep your trip as affordable as possible, keep these pro-tips in mind when booking on the Volaris website or app:

Customize Early: Add your checked luggage, carry-on bags, and seat selection during the initial checkout process online. Buying these add-ons at the airport counter on the day of departure can cost up to double the price.

Watch the Bag Sizes: Volaris has strict dimensions for personal items and carry-on bags. Ensure your luggage matches their structural guidelines to avoid gate-checking penalties.

Whether you're looking to explore the historic architecture of Puebla, conduct business in the industrial hub of Querétaro, or connect with family in Guadalajara, these 10 new routes open up the map like never before. Download the App: Use digital check-in via the Volaris mobile app 24 hours before your flight to save time and keep your digital boarding pass handy.

End Of An Era: How Southwest Airlines Plans To Handle Redeyes, Assigned Seats, Extra Legroom And Basic Economy

Revenue problems at Southwest Airlines were revealed this week to be even worse than we thought as the carrier faces a campaign by an activist investor to oust current management and force the airline to shift its business model to become more like American Airlines, Delta, and United.

Before Elliott Capital’s near-$2 billion investment, Southwest was already talking up changes to offer more premium products that customers would pay more for. There’s been a trend towards premium, and also long haul international, both of which the airline has been unable to take advantage of. Their product and route network haven’t aligned with what customers have most wanted to buy.

There are unconfirmed reports that seem to suggest how Southwest Airlines intends to handle redeye flying, assigned seats, and a new extra legroom section of their aircraft.

The airline would certainly issue a denial because these plans aren’t finalized in the sense that they could change, timelines could shift, and they have not been announced yet. Announcements are expected at the airline’s fall Investor Day. Consider this a work in progress, though it’s expected that the final version will fall along these lines.

Love Cabin would be extra legroom seats at the front of the aircraft. This will entail taking planes out of service to accommodate reconfiguring cabins. It’s possible that adding extra legroom seats wouldn’t reduce the number of seats per aircraft. Currently Southwest offers more legroom than standard economy compared to Delta, American or United. They do not advertise their legroom advantage versus competitors. Regular coach seating could get tighter.

Blocked middle seats? Southwest could offer blocked middle seats for sale in Love Cabin, along the lines of Frontier, where the airline sells a seat block to both the aisle and middle seat passenger as an option. That gives them not just extra legroom but extra width as well. And the opportunity to sell that middle seat block twice, combined with Southwest’s lower than industry average load factors, could mean a boost to revenue compared to trying to sell that seat. It is not clear how firm this is in the airline’s plan.

Redeye training for crews by end of summer to allow for limited redeye flying over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. New union contracts now provide for redeye operations, though there are also technical system issues that need updating and validating. Southwest, in the past, has had to reset their systems each night in the middle of the night. Also, reportedly “there is a crew software system that also needs to be upgraded first.”

Basic economy I’ve heard several reports that the airline is working on a replacement for their cheapest Wanna Get Away fare. Presumably these passengers would board last and have last choice of seats. In Enilria‘s version, they’d get access to seat assignments (if assigned seats are offered throughout the cabin, not just the Love Cabin) or boarding order only an hour prior to departure. Two free checked bags are so baked into Southwest’s value proposition that this could remain, although I’ve heard it both ways. There could be change restrictions introduced.

Enilria also reports that Southwest has updated its revenue management system “in recent days.” They’ve talked about an upgrade for months, and I assumed it was already in place, but they blamed their dismal second quarter revenue guidance update on their inability to adjust revenue to the current demand environment. The new system prices based on origin and destination city, rather than based on availability for each leg of a trip. This will take time to tune.

I think that basic economy is a mistake for Southwest. Their entire brand – which has tremendous value – is predicated on its democratic experience. Southwest’s stock is still heavily priced by the market, trading at outsized multiples compared to other airlines even with its current challenges. Making Southwest more like the rest of the industry, which trades around six times earnings, doesn’t seem like a path towards turning around investor returns.

However offering premium products and partnering with international airlines both seem like strong opportunities for the airline, and keeping planes in the air longer does as well. Their costs have grown substantially, and they have a revenue problem, so eking out incremental revenue against which to spread fixed costs makes sense. So does giving consumers options to buy things that they want.

As much as I’d hate to see Southwest’s generous seat pitch go, it’s not something that they advertise or that most customers realize. They haven’t been leveraging this costly arrangement to their benefit, although customers will certainly notice the difference once it’s gone. I will lament the change but it makes sense for the airline to monetize their seats rather than ‘giving away’ the extra benefit that not every customer values in terms of higher cost. The airline is likely leaving money on the table with its current generosity.

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Frontier Airlines, Stuck In A Money-Losing Slump, Is Dumping Change Fees And Making Other Moves

Frontier Airlines, which has struggled more than other U.S. carriers to recover from the pandemic, says it is eliminating change fees on some tickets and creating four fare classes to boost its appeal to more travelers.

The Denver-based airline said the changes taking effect Friday would make buying a ticket less complicated.

Frontier, like rivals Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Air, advertises low fares but tacks on more fees than the larger carriers. Consumers pick from a menu of extras that increase the final price they pay — often by a significant amount.

The budget carriers have struggled, however, as big airlines created their own no-frills tickets to lure away the most cost-conscious travelers.

Frontier is switching to four fare classes, which it calls basic, economy, premium and business. Those in “basic” will still have to pay extra for things like bringing a carry-on bag, selecting a particular seat and changing or canceling a reservation.

But change fees will be eliminated for passengers in the other three groups, who will also be able to buy extras such as seat selection and bringing a carry-on bag in bundles instead of singly.

Frontier also said it is bringing back phone support for customers within 24 hours of their flight.

CEO Barry Biffle called the announcement “the beginning of a new era for Frontier.”

Frontier has not earned a full-year profit since 2019, and it has lost about $400 million since then and failed in an attempt to merge with Spirit.

AP

Italy On A Budget: Live La Dolce Vita At Affordable Restaurants, Hotels And Spas

Benedictine by the beach … medieval monks decided San Fruttuoso was the spot for their abbey and monastery. Photograph: Alamy

Italy is a nation that loves a bargain, so follow the locals’ example and explore great-value food options, low-cost hotels and cheap – or free – beaches and spas

Italians really know how to stretch their euros on holiday. They may have a reputation for living the dolce vita, but they really, really don’t like spending too much money – parsimonioso in Italian is taken as more of a compliment than an insult. Italians have a nose for a bargain and are great at finding things to do, and beautiful spots to visit, for free. Follow their lead.

Food and drink

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 Bottega di Pasticceria, Florence. Photograph: Serena Rinaldi

Head out to dinner and it quickly becomes apparent that many of the tables in nearby restaurants are occupied by other foreigners, rather than locals. This isn’t just because locals know where the cheaper trattorias are – more likely, they are simply not eating dinner at all. Aperitivo hour is the reason for that: it’s an almost religious ritual of meeting friends for a drink and free, copious snacks, after work. The early evening event not only includes classic drinks, such as Aperol spritz, or a stiff negroni, but all-you-can-eat snacks, like delicious cheese, olives, mini pizzas and regional meats. At Florence’s new Bottega di Pasticceria, for example, the first drink comes with thinly cut prosciutto and bruschetta, among other cocktail snacks, all for just €10 (subsequent drinks cost €5). Or at Rome’s Salotto 42, artisanal cocktails – from €10 – such as moscow mules (strangely, the Italian cocktail of the moment), are served with little gourmet sandwiches.

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 A snack at Salotto42, Rome

When in Italy, do as the Italians do: only have one big meal a day, but take full advantage of the all-you-can-eat breakfast (usually included in hotel prices) to fuel up. If you need lunch, it can consist of panini or small plates, saving money for dinner. Cichetti are the Venetian equivalent of tapas: for lunch, locals nibble croquettes filled with baccalà (dried salt cod) and sip glasses of soave at spots such as the wonderful Vini al Bottegon (Fondamenta Nani 992), which has an excellent and well-priced wine list, too.

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 Panini being prepared at ’Ino, Florence. Photograph: Monica Silva

In Florence, panini have made a comeback at spots like ’Ino near the Uffizi gallery and Ponte Vecchio, where the word “sandwich” doesn’t do justice to the delicious, fresh bread filled with local meats, cheese and other seasonal ingredients.

Italian picnics are usually bacchanalian affairs: prosecco, salami, mozzarella, fresh bread and biscotti, melons, figs and tomatoes, say, all easily picked up at alimentari (food shops and bakeries) in every town.

Accommodation

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 Il Baciarino, Tuscany. Photograph: Photo: Julia Spiess

For most Anglo-Saxons, the idea of haggling over a hotel room price would seem downright rude. Not so for holidaying Italians, who make a sport of it. Try asking for a discount, or some extras to be included, as a way to make those holiday euros go further.

Another Italian trick is to ask hotels or guesthouses whether they have a better-priced apartment option. Gianni Franzi (doubles from €90 B&B) in the Cinque Terre honeypot village of Vernazza, for example, has, in addition to the main hotel, room rentals in other buildings, some with beautiful terraces and idyllic sea views.

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 Agriturismo Bagnolo, Pienza, Tuscany

As appealing as a chic hotel or villa might be, Italians tend to favour more homely spots, such as an agriturismo – one of the thousands of working farms across the country with rooms or apartments at a fraction of hotel prices. This type of stay gives a real insight into the lives of the local people who farm the land. At Agriturismo Bagnolo (doubles from €80 B&B), outside Pienza in Tuscany’s Val d’Orcia, the spectacular views of the Unesco-protected countryside, home-produced pecorino cheese and sense of seclusion come for about a quarter of the price of a boutique bolthole.

And while the term “glamping” may not be common parlance yet, the Italians are already doing it in serious style. Among boho-chic spots is Il Baciarino (doubles from €70) by the Tuscan coast, where four stone cottages (soon to be five) sit in the hills with jaw-dropping sea views, and jacuzzis heated by wood fires.

Beaches and spa towns

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 Bagno Vignoni, a village with natural thermal springs south of Siena. Photograph: Alamy

Images abound of endless rows of beach chairs and umbrellas but renting one of these set-ups can cost upwards of €20 a day, even €100-plus in high season in very popular spots. Many Italians prefer to head to one of the rugged, free – or discounted – and often beautiful beaches. The Maremma national park, for example, is a huge swath of protected land with hiking trails, wildlife and wide beaches with pristine sea. Park entry costs from €6 an adult, €4 a child.

Free beaches such as San Fruttuoso are preferred by Italians for the great family-run restaurants that line them (serving meals such as trofie pasta with pesto, then a fish fritto misto). San Fruttuoso also has a beautiful 10th-century abbey on the seashore.

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 A beach on La Maddalena, Sardinia. Photograph: Alamy

In Sardinia, locals and Italian visitors avoid overpriced beaches near Porto Cervofor the white sands and turquoise sea of national parks like La Maddalena archipelago, a spectacular protected area of seven main islands and 55 tiny islets.

Italians also know how to take the waters of the country’s many natural thermal baths without shelling out for an overpriced spa. Head to small towns such as Bagni San Filippo, Bagno Vignoni and Rapolano Terme and, instead of paying an entrance fee at one of the crowded spa hotels, head to the free baths a short walk away. Ask for directions and enjoy the warm, restorative pools with a good, well-priced bottle of vino.

By Ondine Cohane