Battle of the Budget Airlines: Which Ultra-Low-Cost Carrier is Best?

Flying on a budget often means sacrificing comfort, flexibility, and even reliability. But which ultra-low-cost airline offers the best overall experience?

Travel expert Jeb Brooks took on the challenge of flying Allegiant, Frontier, and Spirit Airlines back-to-back to compare them in key categories: pricing, seating, onboard service, and more.

Here's how these three major budget carriers stacked up.

The Journey: Three Airlines in Three Days

The itinerary for this challenge was ambitious:

• Day 1: Allegiant from Punta Gorda (near Fort Myers) to Cincinnati
• Day 2: Frontier from Cincinnati to Denver
• Day 3: Spirit from Denver to Las Vegas

To keep the comparison fair, Brooks and his travel companion booked similar fare types on each airline. They pre-selected seats near the back, paid for a carry-on bag, and opted for early boarding to facilitate filming.

With all add-ons included, the total costs for two passengers were:

• Allegiant: $291
• Frontier: $275
• Spirit: $250

Now, let’s break down the experiences on each airline.

Allegiant Airlines: Budget Travel at a Cost

Ground Experience

Allegiant operates mainly out of smaller, secondary airports to keep costs low. The flight departed from Punta Gorda Airport, about 30 minutes north of Fort Myers. While this can be convenient for some travelers, smaller airports often mean fewer amenities and limited flight options.

One major drawback was Allegiant's lack of communication during a three-hour flight delay. Passengers waited over two and a half hours before receiving any official update from the airline.

Onboard Experience

The cabin was configured in a 3-3 seating arrangement, with basic, non-reclining seats. Legroom was tight, but personal items fit under the seat.

Seat dimensions:

• Seat pitch: 24 inches
• Legroom: 11 inches
• Shoulder width: 15 inches

Allegiant does not offer any in-flight entertainment or Wi-Fi, so passengers need to bring their own.

Buy-on-Board & Pricing

Passengers can purchase drinks and snacks via the Allegiant Airlines app. Brooks and his team ordered two gin and tonics and a bag of Doritos for $23.96, making Allegiant the most affordable of the three airlines when it came to in-flight purchases.

Final Thoughts on Allegiant

• Pros: Cheapest in-flight food and drink prices, efficient boarding.
• Cons: Poor communication about delays, tight seating, no Wi-Fi.

Frontier Airlines: The Bare-Bones Budget Experience

Ground Experience

Frontier’s pricing model is similar to Allegiant’s—low base fares with plenty of upcharges. Unlike Allegiant, Frontier operates from larger airports, but passengers must print boarding passes in advance or pay $20 at the counter.

Boarding was smooth, but an aircraft swap resulted in last-minute seat changes, leading to confusion among passengers. The crew’s handling of the situation was less than friendly.

Onboard Experience

Like Allegiant, Frontier features a 3-3 seating configuration, but its seats were even more basic, with tiny tray tables that made it difficult to work or eat comfortably.

Seat dimensions:

• Seat pitch: 24 inches
• Legroom: 11 inches
• Shoulder width: 14 inches

No in-flight entertainment or Wi-Fi is available on Frontier flights.

Buy-on-Board & Pricing

A similar purchase of two gin and tonics and Pringles cost $26.98, making Frontier the most expensive for onboard snacks and drinks.

Final Thoughts on Frontier

• Pros: Affordable base fare, wide route network.
• Cons: Most uncomfortable seats, unfriendly crew, no in-flight entertainment or Wi-Fi.

Spirit Airlines: The Best of the Worst?

Ground Experience

Spirit had the most organized and transparent ground team of the three airlines. Though the flight was delayed due to high winds in Las Vegas, Spirit’s ground crew provided regular updates. This level of communication set Spirit apart.

Onboard Experience

Spirit's standard economy seats are similar to the other two airlines, but they had one extra inch of legroom, making them slightly more comfortable.

Seat dimensions:

• Seat pitch: 24 inches
• Legroom: 12 inches
• Shoulder width: 15 inches

Unlike Allegiant and Frontier, Spirit offers Wi-Fi. Passengers can choose between a browsing-speed option and a streaming-speed option, but Brooks found that both speeds were essentially the same, making the cheaper option the better value.

Buy-on-Board & Pricing

Spirit's food and beverage menu was nearly identical to Allegiant and Frontier. Their order of two gin and tonics and a bag of Cheez-Its cost $25.50—mid-range in terms of pricing.

Final Thoughts on Spirit

• Pros: Best legroom of the three, Wi-Fi available, best communication from staff.
• Cons: Delays still a possibility, seats still basic.

The Verdict: Which Ultra-Low-Cost Airline is Best?

To determine a winner, Brooks compared the three airlines across five categories:

Overall Winner: Spirit Airlines

While none of these airlines are luxurious, Spirit Airlines came out on top due to its combination of slightly better seating, available Wi-Fi, and the most organized customer service. Allegiant had the friendliest crew and cheapest food, but poor communication hurt its score. Meanwhile, Frontier ranked lowest, offering the most uncomfortable seats, highest onboard prices, and the least friendly service.

However, the real lesson from this experience? Ultra-low-cost carriers work best for those who plan ahead, pack light, and manage their expectations.

Would you fly with one of these budget airlines? Let us know in the comments!

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