Only 36% Full: Allegiant Air's 11 Emptiest Routes Revealed [See Full List & Map]

Published Sep 22, 2026, 3:00 PM EDT James lives and breathes route development. Educated in Air Transport Management at Loughborough University and Cranfield University, James has a PhD in Airline Strategy and Economics. James was Market Opportunity Analyst at London Luton Airport and Chief Analyst at anna.aero. He taught airline strategy and economics to undergraduate and postgraduate students for five years and has worked closely with multiple carriers on route and market intelligence projects. He is based near London, UK. Allegiant Air is an ultra-low-cost carrier that focuses entirely on leisure markets, all of which are domestic. In September, OAG data show that the airline is the United States' tenth-largest domestic operator for flights. However, when seats for sale are considered, its higher-capacity Airbus A319s and A320s and Boeing 737 MAX 8s means it jumps to eighth place. A word about load factor, which is the subject of this article. It might be interesting to look at, but it is just one part of the performance puzzle. Usually, it should not be considered seriously without reference to other things. However, when they're exceptionally low, as with the routes mentioned here, they speak volumes. Furthermore, as Allegiant only focuses on point-to-point routes, the network contribution that they make, which may help them to stick around, does not apply. Allegiant's 11 Routes With The Worst Load Factors The following list is based on examining the carrier's results by using data from the US Department of Transportation (DOT). It is important to appreciate various things. First, the limitations of looking at load factors generally (see the earlier comments). Second, there are usually reasons why the results are what they are, some of which for Allegiant's worst-performing routes for load factor are outlined in the table. The data is based on the 12 months to June 2026, which is the latest month available. In this period, Allegiant's average load factor across the ULCC's full network was 84.3%. This is interesting in itself (its average fare to achieve that load was $60 each way, plus ancillaries and excluding taxes) but also in comparison to the following routes with substantially lower results. Load Factor (July 2025-June 2026 Only)* Route Round-Trip Passengers (July 2025-June 2026 Only)*** Comments 36.4% Orlando Sanford, FL to Columbia, SC** 11,676 Initially flown in 2009. Returned May 2025-April 2026. The route has been pulled 44.1% Punta Gorda, FL to New Orleans, LA 7,458 Flown November 2025-May 2026. The route has been cut 46.2% Knoxville, TN to South Bend, IN 4,495 Served June 2024-September 2025. The route has ended 46.4% Gulf Shores, AL to Houston Hobby, TX 3,232 Operated May 2025-August 2025. The route has been pulled 46.5% Denver, CO to Idaho Falls, ID 4,280 Flown May 2025-August 2025. The route has been cut 47.7% Tampa St. Pete, FL to Huntsville, AL 4,322 Flights began in March 2026. Still served 48.7% Newark, NJ to Flint, MI 3,974 Served June 2025-September 2025. The route has ended 51.9% Nashville, TN to Akron/Canton, OH 11,267 Operated February 2023-August 2026. No future flights are scheduled 52.1% Fort Lauderdale, FL to Columbus, SC** 16,057 Originally served in 2009. Returned May 2025-May 2026. The route has ended 52.5% Las Vegas, NV to Phoenix Mesa, AZ 5,810 Flown November 2011-March 2026. Flights are back next March 53.7% Washington Dulles, VA to Knoxville, TN 17,879 Launched May 2025. Still served * According to the US DOT ** Allegiant has pulled out of Columbus, SC *** According to the US DOT Loading map… Drag to explore Hang On: Knoxville To South Bend?! Allegiant occasionally gets accused of having a dartboard approach to network planning. Of course, that is not really the case, as it would have done good research for each route launch. That's the case even if it does not 'seem' like it, as with Knoxville to South Bend. Of course, no amount of insight and planning will mean that all routes will be successful or even meet basic expectations. All carriers have route churn, and Allegiant is no exception. Just ask Air Canada, which will cease flying to Singapore after only three years. Covering 370 nautical miles (685 km) each way, Knoxville to South Bend was a relatively short route. It was nearly half the distance of Allegiant's average stage length in the 12 months to June 2026 of 779 nautical miles (1,443 km). Flights existed until January 2025 and returned in May that year. In total, services existed for 13 months, with nine months having a load factor of less than 50.0%. Ouch. Allegiant From Newark To Flint Flights from Newark Liberty International Airport(EWR) to Flint existed between June and September last year. It was one of Allegiant's shortest-lived markets. US DOT data for June to September 2024 (the year before Allegiant arrived) shows that just 340 round-trip passengers flew, all of whom connected on the way, primarily in Chicago O'Hare. The average base fare was $240 each way (excluding add-ons and taxes). Nearly all new routes with nonstop flights increase local traffic, and EWR-Flint was no exception. Allegiant's arrival meant that round-trip passenger traffic between June and September 2025 rose to 4,172 (+1,127% year-over-year), albeit from a nearly nonexistent base. Of course, this was not only from the provision of nonstop flights, but also from a substantial reduction in base fare (just $49 one-way). Allegiant had 95% of the market and pulled out nearly as quickly as it arrived.