Allegiant Air is ending its 17 year run at LAX. They are cutting their last two routes at the airport and will be flying from Burbank in 2026.
Allegiant Air, the Las Vegas based ultra low cost carrier announced that it will be leaving Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The airline will be ending its last two route pairings from LAX which are Los Angeles to Cincinnati and Los Angeles to Bellingham. The final Allegiant Air flight from LAX is scheduled for January 3rd, 2026.
According to AirlineGeeks.com, the sole reason for the departure is cost. LAX is expensive to operate from. Allegiant made the decision to serve the Los Angeles area through Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), which is the much cheaper option.
Burbank is located 32 miles north of LAX. Over the years Hollywood Burbank has become more popular amongst the airlines. It’s smaller, less trafficked, which makes it much easier for airlines to utilize. That fact alone also makes it a better passenger experience as well.
Allegiant isn’t the only airline moving away from LAX. Frontier has focused part of its Southern California presence from Ontario International Airport instead of LAX.
An Allegiant spokesperson put it plainly: “Burbank’s lower operating costs and streamlined gate and facility usage allows us to offer more attractive fares to our customers while creating a better working environment for our team members.”
For budget conscious travelers from LA, Allegiant’s move from LAX could have a mixed impact. On a map, Burbank isn’t too far away from Downtown LA. But in Southern California traffic, a 32 mile drive can mean hours stuck on the highway.
Los Angeles doesn’t have a robust transit system which also makes mass transit an issue to getting to BUR. For anyone living on the Westside, South Bay, or Orange County, having to travel to Burbank would be a tough sell compared to hopping on a Frontier flight from LAX.
Allegiant is betting that its loyal LA customer base will follow them to Burbank. This move to Burbank comes at a time when ULCCs are under pressure. Spirit has publicly acknowledged its financial struggles, and Avelo has already pulled out of the West Coast entirely. Frontier is also trying to change its business model by offering package-style deals to lure in folks beyond the ULCC market.
Allegiant is sticking with its core low-fare model, hoping its existing audience will make the drive to Burbank.
SoCal travelers are blessed because they have plenty of alternative options. There are many airports outside of LAX and BUR that also offer commercial flights.
Allegiant’s Burbank service might attract customers in the San Fernando Valley and Northern LA County, but less from those who live in the city.
By forcing long commutes and continuing their limited catalog of underserved destinations, Allegiant could struggle to replicate its output currently seen at LAX.
Allegiant’s decision to move to Burbank only magnifies the challenge of operating a ULCC in Southern California. While the shift to Burbank might be a more economic fit for the airline, the convenience factor for LA passengers is definitely questionable. We’ll find out soon if customers will make the trek to Burbank or seek other options closer to home.
