With three dominant legacy carriers, there are several other airlines tending to a specific demographic: low-cost air travel. This specific market is divided into two different models, known as low-cost carriers (LLCs)
and ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCCs)
.

While these budget carriers aim to offer the lowest ticket prices, they each operate differently. Some airlines have fleet strategies in which they operate one aircraft type, while others have two different types in their fleet. Here is what you need to know about the seven leading budget airlines in the US:

1

Allegiant Air

Based in Las Vegas, Nevada

As one of the main ULCC contenders, Allegiant Air
has an extensive route network within the continental US. Its operation focuses on smaller destinations that are located outside of major hubs and sometimes underserved. The carrier was founded in January 1997 and solely operated McDonnell Douglas DC-9 aircraft, but they were later replaced by MD-80 variants.

An Allegiant Air Airbus A320 aircraft with registration N197NV and We Fly Together livery.

Photo: Angel DiBilio | Shutterstock

These aircraft went on to fly with the airline until 2018 when they were completely phased out and replaced by Airbus A320 family jets. Allegiant also flew the Boeing 757-200, which allowed it to serve Hawaiian markets for a handful of years, but this ended in 2018. Currently, Allegiant’s fleet comprises the following aircraft types:

  • Airbus A319
  • Airbus A320
  • Boeing 737 MAX 8-200

Read More

The Oldest Aircraft In Allegiant Air’s Fleet

The average age of the airline’s fleet surpasses Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines combined.

Allegiant just recently took delivery of its first 737 MAX-8 200, marking the return of Boeing aircraft to its fleet. The plane will gradually replace its aging A320s. The carrier also has orders for the 737 MAX 7, but a delivery timeline is unclear due to Boeing’s complications with the aircraft certification.

2

Avelo Airlines

Based in Houston, Texas

Commencing operations in 2021, Avelo Airlines
is one of the newest ULCCs in the industry, although its origins date back to the 1980s as Casino Express Airlines. The carrier only operates the 737-700 and -800 aircraft, and has a route network somewhat similar to Allegiant’s. However, it is not as widespread.

N803XT Avelo Airlines Boeing 737-8F2 (1)

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Over the last three years, Avelo has significantly grown in size, including serving international destinations. It has operating bases at the following airports:

  • Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR)
  • Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL)
  • Tweed–New Haven Regional Airport (HVN)
  • Orlando International Airport (MCO)
  • Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU)
  • Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS)
  • Wilmington Airport (ILG)

Next month, Avelo will open a new operating base at Bradley International Airport (BDL) near Hartford, Connecticut.

3

Breeze Airways

Based in Cottonwood Heights, Utah

Established by David Neeleman in 2018, who also founded JetBlue Airways and Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras, Breeze airways
also started operations in 2021. The low-cost carrier, which refers to itself as “The Seriously Nice Airline,” offers service to secondary airports, but can also be found at major airports such as Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Breeze Airways plane in Florida

Photo: Breeze Airways

Breeze is also known for its cross-country flights, such as Orlando to Orange County. However, many of its routes are not operated daily, specifically reflecting the low-cost model serving smaller markets. Breeze’s fleet comprises three different aircraft types:

  • Airbus A220-300
  • Embraer E190
  • Embraer E195

The carrier commenced its operations with the E190s and E195s, but in favor of the A220-300,

they will be transferred to exclusively operate charter flights in 2025
.

4

Frontier Airlines

Based in Denver, Colorado

Established in 1994, Frontier Airlines
is a major carrier that has been a longstanding contender in the ULCC market. The airline has operated numerous aircraft types throughout its three-decade history, but it is now an all-Airbus carrier. Unlike Allegiant, which has ordered the 737 MAX, Frontier has invested in newer A320neo family aircraft to replace its aging planes. Since its inception, the airline has had a fond love for wildlife, painting and naming animals on the tails of each aircraft.

Frontier Airliens SS livery Robin Guess Shutterstock 169

Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock

Frontier has several operating bases around the country, and operates a fleet of more than 140 planes, comprising the following aircraft types.

  • Airbus A320
  • Airbus A321
  • Airbus A320neo
  • Airbus A321neo

Frontier previously showed interest in the A321XLR, but has since canceled its order.

5

Southwest Airlines

Based in Dallas, Texas

Regarding the LCC model as a whole, Southwest Airlines
can arguably be seen as the pioneer. The carrier, founded in 1967, influenced the industry with its unique operating strategies, such as point-to-point flights, a one-aircraft type fleet, and unassigned seating. Southwest operated the 727 for a brief time, but throughout its more than 50 years of service, the 737 has been its backbone.

Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700 at San Diego International Airport.

Photo: EQRoy | Shutterstock

The airline only offered domestic flights for decades, but it has since made a name for itself in the Caribbean. Additionally, thanks to newer aircraft models, Southwest has been able to expand its route network to Hawaii. As the largest 737 operator, the carrier’s fleet comprises the following:

  • Boeing 737-700
  • Boeing 737-800
  • Boeing 737 MAX 8

6

Spirit Airlines

Based in Dania Beach, Florida

Known for its so-called banana planes, Spirit Airlines
is likely to be Frontier’s main competitor. The two carriers operate a similar route network and have a similar fleet strategy. Spirit’s origins date back to the early 1980s, but it commenced operations in 1992.

Read More

How Has Spirit Airlines’ Livery Evolved Over The Years?

The last update to the livery was in 2014.

Before becoming an all-Airbus airline, the carrier operated a mixture of DC-9 and MD-80 family aircraft – similar to Allegiant. Spirit has also recorded many successes over the years, but has also endured hurdles, such as its current financial worries after the fallout of its proposed merger with JetBlue.

Media-Center-Images-06

Photo: Spirit Airlines

The following aircraft comprise Spirit’s fleet:

  • Airbus A319
  • Airbus A320
  • Airbus A321
  • Airbus A320neo
  • Airbus A321neo

7

Sun Country Airlines

Based in Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota

For more than 40 years, Sun Country Airlines
has been an ultra-low-cost dominator in the upper Midwest. Founded in 1942, the airline originally used 727 aircraft to support its operation. In later years, it became a widebody operator, flying the DC-10 family of aircraft. Sun Country follows a hub-and-spoke operating model identical to that of legacy airlines. However, the carrier only has one hub at Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (MSP).

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Sun Country Airlines Boeing 737-8KN departing runway 18L

Photo: lorenzatx | Shutterstock

Sun Country is now an all-737 operator – specifically the 737-800. The carrier formerly flew the 737-700, but retired the type last year. Unlike its competitors, The airline also has a sub fleet of 737-800BCFs, which operate cargo flights for Amazon Air. In the future, Sun Country hopes to operate 737-900s for passenger flights. It offers service to more than 100 destinations in the following regions:

  • The US
  • Mexico
  • Canada
  • Central America
  • The Caribbean

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