Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, Allegiant or American?

Allegiant: 22 × 16 × 10 in (56 × 41 × 25 cm). American: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). Allegiant allows the larger bag.

Do Allegiant and American include a carry-on on basic economy?

Allegiant: Fares include only a personal item. A carry-on is a paid add-on, cheapest at booking. American: Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra.

Which is more reliable, Allegiant or American?

In 2025 Allegiant arrived on time 74.5% of the time (0.5% cancelled) and American 72.7% (1.8% cancelled), according to U.S. DOT data.

Which cancels fewer flights, Allegiant or American?

In 2025 Allegiant cancelled 0.5% of its flights and American 1.8%, so Allegiant had the edge (U.S. DOT data).

Are Allegiant and American partners?

They aren't in the same alliance (Allegiant: none; American: oneworld), so miles and status generally don't transfer between them.

G4 vs AA · 2026 comparison

Allegiant vs American

Allegiant wins on a bigger carry-on, cheaper checked bags, a better on-time record and fewer cancellations; American wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare and a bigger personal item. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction

Allegiant

Wins 4 categories

A bigger carry-on
Cheaper checked bags
A better on-time record
Fewer cancellations

American

Wins 2 categories

A carry-on on its cheapest fare
A bigger personal item

Quick verdict

Allegiant wins on a bigger carry-on, cheaper checked bags, a better on-time record and fewer cancellations; American wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare and a bigger personal item. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: Allegiant: 22 × 16 × 10 in · American: 22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Allegiant: Costs extra on basic fares · American: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): Allegiant: $20–$50 · American: $45
On-time arrivals (2025): Allegiant: 74.5% · American: 72.7%

Side by side

	Allegiant	American
Bags
Carry-on size	22 × 16 × 10 in	22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Costs extra on basic fares	Included on every fare
Carry-on weight limit	None published	None published
Personal item	7 × 15 × 16 in	18 × 14 × 8 in
First checked bag (regular economy)	$20–$50	$45
Reliability
On-time arrivals (2025)	74.5%	72.7%
Flights cancelled (2025)	0.5%	1.8%
Network
Alliance	None	oneworld
Loyalty program	Allways Rewards	AAdvantage
Main hubs	LAS, SFB, PIE, AZA	DFW, CLT, ORD, MIA, PHL

Highlighted values are better for travelers. Fees are for U.S. domestic economy flights; on-time data is 2025 U.S. DOT figures for each airline's own flights.

Bags and fees

Allegiant allows a carry-on up to 22 × 16 × 10 in (56 × 41 × 25 cm), and American up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), so Allegiant's is roomier.

Allegiant charges for it on its cheapest fare, while American includes it on every fare.

Neither publishes a carry-on weight limit.

Personal items: 7 × 15 × 16 in (18 × 38 × 41 cm) on Allegiant, and 18 × 14 × 8 in (46 × 36 × 20 cm) on American.

A first checked bag on Allegiant costs $20–$50 on all Allegiant flights, and a first checked bag on American costs $45 on U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and short-haul international flights.

Basic economy

Allegiant (Base fare): Fares include only a personal item. A carry-on is a paid add-on, cheapest at booking.

American (Basic Economy): Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra.

On-time performance

In 2025, Allegiant landed 74.5% of its flights on time and cancelled 0.5%; American landed 72.7% on time and cancelled 1.8%. That makes Allegiant the more punctual of the two. The figures come from the U.S. DOT and count each airline's own flights, not regional partners.

Loyalty and where they fly

Allegiant is not in an alliance and American is in oneworld.

Loyalty programs: Allways Rewards (Allegiant) and AAdvantage (American).

Allegiant's main hubs are Las Vegas (LAS), Orlando Sanford (SFB), St. Petersburg–Clearwater (PIE), Phoenix–Mesa (AZA). American's are Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), Miami (MIA), Philadelphia (PHL). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Allegiant if you want…

a bigger carry-on
cheaper checked bags
a better on-time record
fewer cancellations
nonstops from LAS, SFB, PIE

Choose American if you want…

a carry-on on its cheapest fare
a bigger personal item
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from DFW, CLT, ORD

On a route both fly, the cheaper ticket isn't always the cheaper trip: add the bags you'll actually bring, and check the fare rules before you book.