Allegiant Wins Top Award as the Best Low-Cost Airline in North America at 2026 World Airline Awards

Allegiant earns its third straight Skytrax award as North America’s best low-cost airline while progressing with its Sun Country integration.

Rhea-AI Summary

Allegiant Travel Company (ALGT) has been named 2026's Best Low-Cost Airline in North America by Skytrax, marking its third consecutive win at the World Airline Awards in London.

The honor is based on a global passenger satisfaction survey with 24.8 million eligible entries from more than 100 nationalities, conducted from September 2025 to August 2026. The recognition comes as Allegiant continues integrating with Sun Country Airlines into a combined value-focused carrier operating nearly 200 aircraft and serving almost 175 cities.

Market Context

A prior customer-recognition announcement was followed by a -1.60% 24-hour move on Aug 6; this Skytr...

Analysis

A prior customer-recognition announcement was followed by a -1.60% 24-hour move on Aug 6; this Skytrax award adds recognition but reports no financial results.

Key Figures

Award streak: Third consecutive year Survey participation: More than 100 customer nationalities Eligible entries: 24.8 million +4 more

Award streak

Third consecutive year

Best Low-Cost Airline in North America

Survey participation

More than 100 customer nationalities

Skytrax passenger satisfaction survey

Eligible entries

24.8 million

Skytrax survey results

Survey period

September 2025 through August 2026

Skytrax passenger satisfaction survey

Combined fleet

Nearly 200 aircraft

Allegiant-Sun Country combination

Combined network

Almost 175 cities

Allegiant-Sun Country combination

Full integration

Next two years

Expected integration timeline

Historical Context

1 past event · Latest: Aug 06

1 event

1. Aug 06

   Customer recognition

   24h Move

   -1.6%

   Customer recognition announcement was followed by a negative 24-hour price reaction.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

operating certificate

1 terms

operating certificate regulatory

"working toward a single operating certificate and a unified customer experience"

An operating certificate is an official license from a government or regulator that allows a business to run a particular service or facility, such as a clinic, utility, transport route, or manufacturing plant. For investors it matters because the certificate is often required for legal operation and revenue generation—losing it is like a restaurant losing its health permit, which can stop income and create legal or cost risks.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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For third consecutive year, Allegiant takes first place for its exceptional service

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT) has been named 2026's Best Low-Cost Airline in North America by Skytrax, the international air transport rating organization, marking the third consecutive year Allegiant has won the award. The airline received the recognition today during Skytrax's World Airline Awards ceremony held in London, known throughout the industry as the "Oscars of aviation" for its recognition of outstanding customer service.

"Three years running is a reflection of the consistency our team members bring to every flight," said Greg Anderson, Allegiant's Chief Executive Officer. "As we grow, our commitment to delivering a seamless, comfortable and convenient travel experience for our customers hasn't changed, and this recognition tells us that focus is resonating with the people who matter most: our passengers."

To determine the winners, Skytrax conducted the largest airline passenger satisfaction survey in the world, with more than 100 customer nationalities participating and 24.8 million eligible entries counted in the results. The survey ran from September 2025 through August 2026.

"We congratulate Allegiant on this fabulous achievement by winning this third successive award as North America's Best Low-Cost Airline," said Edward Plaisted, Chief Executive Officer of Skytrax. "It is a very strong recognition from customers of Allegiant's service standards and customer-focused approach."

Founded with the mission to make air travel more accessible and convenient, Allegiant's unique business strategy continues to reshape the U.S. leisure travel industry. The airline's network of all-nonstop flights, serving communities often overlooked by other carriers, has been a key differentiator that separates Allegiant from the rest of the industry.

The award comes as Allegiant continues integrating with Sun Country Airlines, which received the same honor in 2023. The combination creates the leading value-focused airline in the United States, with a combined fleet of nearly 200 aircraft serving almost 175 cities. While the two carriers continue to operate under separate brands and booking systems during the integration period, Allegiant is working toward a single operating certificate and a unified customer experience across both networks, with full integration expected over the next two years. As that work progresses, Allegiant is applying the same standards of hospitality and service recognized by Skytrax to flight attendants, ground crews, and support teams across the combined airline.

This third consecutive Skytrax win adds to a growing list of accolades recognizing Allegiant's customer experience. The airline was ranked the #2 U.S. airline overall and the top-ranked value carrier in The Wall Street Journal's 2025 airline rankings, and was named among the top three U.S. airlines — and the #1 ultra-low-cost carrier — in J.D. Power's North America Airline Satisfaction Study. Together with the scale gained through the Sun Country combination, these honors reinforce Allegiant's position as one of the largest value-focused airlines in the country, built on a foundation of affordable, reliable, and increasingly recognized customer service.

"As we bring Sun Country into the Allegiant fold, awards like this matter because they're a customer verdict, not just ours," Anderson added. "It tells us the fundamentals – nonstop flights, friendly service, and fair prices – still work, even as we scale."

To learn more about the World Airline Awards, click here.

About Allegiant – Together We Fly™
Las Vegas-based Allegiant (NASDAQ: ALGT) is an integrated travel company with an airline at its heart, focused on connecting customers with the people, places and experiences that matter most. Through Allegiant Air and Sun Country Airlines, the company serves approximately 22 million annual customers across scheduled passenger, charter and cargo operations. Together, the airlines operate more than 650 routes serving nearly 175 cities throughout the United States and select international destinations. Allegiant is committed to providing affordable travel options, operational excellence and long-term value for customers, employees, communities and shareholders. For more information, visit Allegiant.com.

Media information, including photos, is available at http://gofly.us/iiFa303wrtF

Media Contact
Phone: 702-800-2020
 Email: mediarelations@allegiantair.com

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SOURCE Allegiant Travel Company

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

How did Skytrax determine Allegiant's Best Low-Cost Airline award?

The award is based on what Skytrax describes as the largest airline passenger satisfaction survey in the world, with more than 100 customer nationalities participating and 24.8 million eligible entries. The survey period ran from September 2025 through August 2026.

What is the status of Allegiant's integration with Sun Country Airlines?

Allegiant and Sun Country continue to operate under separate brands and booking systems during the integration period. Allegiant is working toward a single operating certificate and unified customer experience across both networks, with full integration expected over the next two years.