Allegiant Air’s Airbus A319 aircraft may appear similar to the larger A320 due to their emergency exit configurations. Typically, an A319 would have two overwing exits, but Allegiant’s version features four, akin to the standard configuration of an A320. This modification allows for a higher passenger capacity in line with regulatory requirements.
Allegiant operates 34 Airbus A319s and 85 A320s. The A319 can hold up to 156 passengers in a single-class setup, while the A320 can accommodate up to 186. To manage more than 150 passengers on the A319, Allegiant uses a double overwing exit door design. Some of these planes were previously part of easyJet’s fleet and retain their dense seating arrangements.
The airline emphasizes its role as a travel company rather than just an airline. It connects smaller U.S. cities with major leisure destinations like Florida and Las Vegas. According to Allegiant Air, “Allegiant is more than an airline; it’s an innovative travel company dedicated to providing the best travel deals.”
Overwing exits are crucial for emergency evacuations, supplementing main cabin doors and offering alternative escape routes during emergencies like water landings. These exits feature inflatable slides or slide/rafts for quick evacuation.
According to GlobeAir, “Overwing exits are equipped with inflatable evacuation slides or slide/rafts to facilitate rapid evacuation and ensure the safety of occupants.” The placement of these exits ensures that they meet aviation regulatory standards from bodies such as the FAA and EASA.
Training for cabin crew includes regular drills on operating these exits efficiently during emergencies. Crew members must be prepared for pre-flight checks and coordinate effectively during evacuations.
Last year, Allegiant was recognized as North America’s best low-cost airline at the World Airline Awards. Gregory C. Anderson, Allegiant’s President, stated: “We are incredibly honored and proud to receive this award as it recognizes our unwavering dedication to our customers.”
