I'm so annoyed I added this new location to Yelp! As a Jacksonville resident, needless to say, I was quite ecstatic about Allegiant Air coming to JIA, continuing my patronage (I've flown Allegiant out of Sanford, FL with no issues), and Allegiant providing more flight options and new routes. As soon as the opportunity presented itself, I booked my first flight out of JIA. However, after this week's unfortunate experience, I have to know... Is this the new normal? Was my excitement premature and unwarranted?
I was scheduled to leave JAX to MEM, May 27th on Allegiant Air nonstop flight #657 at 5:56PM.
At 10:15AM I was alerted that the flight was delayed and would be leaving at 6:46PM. With that, I took no issue. Delays happen, I get it.
When in route to the airport at 4:50, I received the alert that the flight had been delayed again. This time until 9:36PM, now that alert dealt more of a blow! Thank God, I was in route and hadn't already parked and checked in. Anyhow, I killed time and worked out the 3 hour delay, and moved on with life.
With no new alerts, and everything seemingly good, I made it to the airport around 8:05PM and prepared for departure. Upon arrival at the gate, I knew there was an issue. Although many celebratory balloons welcoming Allegiant to the air-borhood were present, it was also packed with customers, unhappy customers. The prior Cincinnati flight hadn't yet boarded and it was considerably past departure time. However, not my flight, not my issue-- Or so I thought. While waiting, I became more concerned and deduced that both flights (Cincinnati and mine) were using the same gate, so if Cincinnati had issues, so did I! No one told me this, these were just thoughts. As I was over an hour early for my flight, I decided to think positively. Things could work themselves out, right? Well, they didn't. Was I doomed from the start or what?
At 9:36PM, departure time, I was still sitting at the gate with no sign of a boarding call, an empty customer service desk, and no explanation whatsoever. At this point, Allegiant has failed me thrice in an eight hour period. Again, I fly often and I understand that things happen, but come on.
I wish it had stopped there, but it didn't. We finally boarded around 9:46PM and, adding insult to injury, the plane was piping hot. We sat with no air for roughly 45 minutes. And now for the fatal blow. At 10:03PM, while sweating on the hot plane, I received my final text alert of the day that said we were now delayed at until 10:10PM. Which was still inaccurate as we did not depart until more like 10:35PM and I didn't land until 11:15PM (central time).
What originally started as a 6:41PM nonstop arrival turned into a 11:15PM landing. I could have flown ANY other airline's itinerary and landed in Memphis at least 4 hours prior to my Allegiant landing. I can confirm this as my social media friends tried to help by sending alternative flight solutions to end my misery when I posted the second delay of the day.
Being new to the area, and realizing that first impressions are lasting, how could you allow such shoddy service during your JIA debut?
Sincerely,
Disappointed in Jacksonville! read more