LAS VEGAS, Nov. 6, 2026 — Allegiant says the 737 MAX 8 now suits it better than the smaller MAX 7, because of its premium products. On its third-quarter call, the company also updated progress on folding in Sun Country, whose acquisition closed May 13, 2026.
Fleet
- Why the MAX 8: President and CFO Robert Neal said the MAX 7 “seat cost just sort of loses pace with the MAX 8.” The MAX 8 suits Allegiant Extra and the upcoming Allegiant First.
- Order book:
- In October, Allegiant exercised six MAX 8 options for 2028 delivery.
- The firm Boeing order is now 56 aircraft. 22 had been delivered through Oct. 23.
- 74 options remain.
- MAX 7: the FAA certified it on Aug. 3, 2026.
- Outlook: about 20 MAX deliveries in 2027, for roughly 45 MAX in service by the end of 2027.
- Fleet size: 192 aircraft at quarter-end, including 22 freighters owned by its cargo customer.
Q3 2026 results
| Measure | Result |
|---|---|
| Revenue | $961.6M, up 19% pro forma |
| Capacity | About 6% lower |
| GAAP net loss | $15.2M ($0.56 per share) |
| Adjusted loss per share | $0.03 |
| Adjusted operating margin | 3.1% |
| Fuel price | $3.98 per gallon, up 55% |
| Q4 adjusted EPS guidance | $1.00–$1.50 |
The quarter included a $267M pilot retention bonus payment, about $200,000 per pilot according to the call. Pilot wages step up in early 2027.
Sun Country integration
- The synergy target is more than $140M a year by 2029.
- Gates and ground handling are being combined at several airports. Customers can now book across both carriers.
- The Twin Cities is the combined company’s largest base.
- Q4 capacity is roughly flat overall, with Sun Country scheduled service down about 10%.
- Single operating certificate and seniority integration timing: TBA.
- Investor Day: Dec. 7, 2026, in Las Vegas.
What it means for non-revs
- Sun Country’s roughly 10% cut in fourth-quarter scheduled flying means fewer open seats out of Minneapolis-St. Paul this holiday season.
- Allegiant’s flights are mostly low-frequency leisure routes, so a missed standby can mean days, not hours, to the next flight. Have a backup before you go.
- Employees at both carriers should watch Investor Day on Dec. 7 for integration milestones.
Sources
- AirlineGeeks — Allegiant Says MAX 7 Seat Cost ‘Loses Pace’
- The Motley Fool — Allegiant (ALGT) Q3 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
- Securities.io — Allegiant Q3 Loss Narrows as Pro Forma Revenue Rises 19%
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