$50 tickets, $4 water: Your guide to flying Allegiant now that Southwest is leaving BLI

Southwest will stop service from Bellingham on Aug. 4, leaving Alaska, Allegiant and San Juan Airlines as the only carriers operating out of Bellingham. But with San Juan only flying to its namesake islands, and Alaska only flying to Seattle from Bellingham, Allegiant is your only option if you want to leave the state.

Allegiant is a budget airline, and while that means its prices are relatively affordable, it also means it has some unique policies. Here’s what you need to know before you fly.

Wi-Fi and in-flight entertainment

You won’t find Wi-Fi or in-flight entertainment on Allegiant flights, according to the company’s website . If you want to watch a movie during your flight, you’ll need to download it in advance.

Snacks, drinks will cost you

If you want a snack or a drink on an Allegiant flight, you’ll have to pay for it. Water, sodas and juices are $4, according to Allegiant’s website , while coffee costs $5, and beers and seltzers cost $9.

On the snack front, chips and cookies cost between $4 and $5, while snack boxes range from $11 to $14.

Checked bags and carry-ons

You don’t get a free carry-on bag included with your ticket when you fly Allegiant. While the price of carry-ons varies depending on your route, they typically cost around $35 for flights out of Bellingham, according to Allegiant’s online baggage fee calculator . However, the price jumps dramatically if you purchase a carry-on after you’ve bought your ticket. It will cost you $70 to add a carry-on after buying your ticket, and $75 if you add a carry-on at the airport. So if you know you need a carry-on, make sure to add it to your reservation when you first buy your ticket.

The pricing structure is similar for checked bags, although they typically cost slightly more than carry-ons and additional fees apply for bags over 50 pounds.

You are allowed to bring one personal item on board free of charge. While it has to be 8 x 14 x 18 inches or smaller, most small backpacks, purses and briefcases are allowed.

Cancellation policy

If you cancel a trip within 24 hours of booking, Allegiant will give you a full refund . After that, if you cancel your flight, your payment will be turned into credit towards a future Allegiant flight, with a cancellation fee and booking fee taken out. Flights canceled within seven days of departure won’t be turned into credit.

You can also protect your trip for an additional cost that ranges between $29 and $43, depending on the flight. You’ll be covered from cancellation fees and if you cancel within seven days of your flight, but your refund will still be issued as Allegiant credit.

Cheap flights on Bellingham Allegiant flights

Now for the good news: Allegiant flights are cheap. If you book far enough in advance, you can find one-way fares in the $50 to $70 range pretty easily. Round trip tickets often carry additional discounts.

What about the electronic carrier fee?

Allegiant charges a $22 “electronic carrier usage charge” for flights booked online, and a similar fee for flights booked over the phone. However, the price displayed on the website includes the fee, so you won’t have to pay more than the advertised price.

Where does Allegiant fly from Bellingham?

Allegiant currently flies to six locations from Bellingham:

• Las Vegas

• Los Angeles

• Phoenix/Mesa

• Palm Springs (late fall through spring)

• Oakland (summer through early winter)

• San Diego (summer only)