Another budget airline adds first class: Allegiant's seats to debut in 2027

Another budget airline is diving headfirst into first class.Allegiant Air this week announced it's joining the wave of discounters embracing "premium." The Las Vegas-based carrier will launch a new first-class cabin beginning in 2027.Tickets are expected to go on sale in the coming weeks.The new seats appear to be right on par with what you'd expect in a domestic first-class seat — spacious recliners, calf rests, cocktail trays and extra storage.But for Allegiant, this move marks a dramatic shift from how it's done business in the past.ALLEGIANT AIRThe airline has long offered a true budget airline experience: no-frills cabins, cheap fares and add-on fees for everything else. Its true calling card: a unique route network between underserved cities and vacation destinations.Airlines race to embrace 'premium'Across the industry, though, carriers — including low-cost airlines — have been racing to build up their premium offerings.Frontier Airlines and JetBlue are each preparing to debut domestic first-class cabins by the end of this year. And Southwest Airlines admits it's thinking hard about airport lounges.Frontier Airlines Airbus A321 taxis at San Francisco International Airport (S...