Allegiant launches Las Vegas-Reno flights, goes head-to-head with Southwest

6 December 2012

By Tim O'Reiley

LAS VEGAS -- Allegiant Air will begin twice-a-week flights between McCarran International Airport and Reno-Tahoe International Airport on Feb. 1.

The new service comes with introductory one-way fares of $49.99, not including the various added fees that come with an Allegiant flight. On some days, the base fare rises as high as $73.99.

In launching this route, Allegiant will go head-to-head with Southwest Airlines, which now has a route monopoly. Southwest flies eight or 10 times a day, with the February calendar showing the lowest fare at $95.

The inaugural flight departs Reno at 3:30 p.m. and arrives in Las Vegas at 4:45 p.m. The flight will depart from Las Vegas at 1:30 p.m. and arrive in Reno at 2:50 p.m. It will go on Fridays and Sundays.

Allegiant will operate a MD-87 aircraft with 120 passenger seats for the flights.