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Allegiant Airlines starts charging for carry-on bags

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(BELLINGHAM) NEWS1130 – If you fly with Allegiant Airlines, watch what you pack for your trip.The company is going to start charging you for carry-on bags.

If you can cram your bag under the seat in front of you, you are in the clear. However, anything you stuff in the overhead bin is going to cost you up to $35.

“They want to see if they can get away it,” says Brad Davies with Virtually There Travel.  “They will do their test marketing and look at the number and then they’ll see if they still have a clear advantage.”

Allegiant is the second airline to charge for carry-on bags.

Spirit Air, which is also better known for cheap fares than luxurious flights, was the first.

Davies says the cost-cutting move could backfire on Allegiant.

“They’re taking their very loyal customers for granted, which in any business is dangerous,” he says. “It just gives clients one more opportunity to shop their business around.”

Davies doesn’t think the extra fee will make travelers angry enough to fly out of Vancouver instead of Bellingham, where flights are often cheaper.

The only good about the move that he can think of is it might cut down on line ups.

“It’s getting to the point now where if you’re boarding on Allegiant, guys are trying to stuff small pianos in the overhead bin and it takes forever to board the aircraft,” Davies said.  “As a consequence, they’re trying to get people to check their luggage.”

The policy kicks in Wednesday.

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