Allegiant offering ‘no fee’ flight changes amid coronavirus outbreak

Amid ongoing concerns regarding travel and the new coronavirus outbreak, Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air is reaching out to customers to assure them the airline is taking necessary steps to keep people safe on board its planes.

Allegiant Chariman and CEO Maurice Gallagher sent out an email blast to customers regarding the coronavirus, saying it has created an “environment of uncertainty.”

“The influx of new, daily developments in the news has brought many concerns and an environment of uncertainty,” Gallagher said in the email. “But I want you to understand that here at Allegiant, the health and safety of you and our team members remains the top priority in everything we do.”

Gallagher noted that the domestic airline doesn’t offer international service as many of it competitors do.

“Allegiant is a domestic airline with all nonstop flights and we do not have any international connecting flights,” Gallagher said. “Domestic airlines, unlike international carriers, have not had any restrictions placed on them.”

The airline is in regular contact with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, Department of Homeland Security/Transportation Security Administration, Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration as well as other agencies and is closely monitoring the situation and current guidance regarding travel.

Allegiant has not made any changes to its flight schedule, and customers will know immediately if any changes to a flight are made, Gallagher said.

Other major carriers, including Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Alaska Airlines are ramping up cleaning efforts in hopes of preventing the spread of the virus.

Southwest, McCarran International Airport’s largest carrier by volume, detailed its cleaning process in a news release Monday. The airline said that as of March 4 it has expanded the use of a hospital-grade disinfectant that had been used in planes’ restrooms to now be used throughout a plane’s interior.

“It will be used in the cabin, on elements in the flight deck and in the lavatory,” said Ryan Green, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Southwest in a statement. “This goes beyond the standard CDC guidelines.”

Allegiant and other carriers are also allowing travelers to alter their travel plans at no additional cost.

“If you would like to request a change to your travel plans at this time, you may do so without incurring a change fee,” Gallagher said.

Allegiant will either allow travelers to change flights or receive a voucher toward a future flight. Flight cancellations are not included in the travel plan change offer.

Delta and Alaska also announced they won’t charge flight change fees during varying time frames, while Southwest reminded customers it never charges customers a fee to change or cancel a flight.

“If your plans change or if you decide to postpone your travel, the funds used to pay for your flight can be applied to future travel as long as you cancel your reservation at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled departure,” Green said.

Despite concern among travelers, Allegiant has not seen a noticeable difference to flight reservations, according to spokeswoman Hilarie Grey.

“We have had many calls from customers asking about their options and some have made changes and booked flights,” Grey said. “But overall we have not seen a significant impact on booking.”

Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on Twitter.