It wasn't a football Saturday, but the crowd roared like it was greeting a football championship team back home.
Allegiant Flight 1403 touched down Wednesday in Gulf Shores to water cannons and cheering spectators -- a fitting tribute for the first-ever commercial flight to land at Gulf Shores International Airport.
"That was a cool plane to be on," said Beth Gendler, president & CEO of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism. "Some had homes here. Some are going on vacation. They are happy they don't have to spend nine hours driving here."
Never mind that many passengers were clad in Tennessee orange, a curious sight in a coastal area of Alabama that is still passionate for the Crimson Tide or Auburn Tigers.
Still, rivalry colors took a back seat to the moment's significance. On board were a mix of local officials and vacationers, all part of a milestone that's been decades in the making that adds a commercial air link connecting Alabama's Gulf Coast to cities across the country.
"What an amazing vacation destination it is in South Alabama," said Kristen Schilling-Gonzales, vice president of planning with Allegiant Air. "I'm sure the folks in upper Midwest will love the opportunity to spend the winters down here on the beaches where it's warmer."
The arrival of the first flight kicks off Allegiant Air's initial six destinations to and from Gulf Shores that includes direct connections to McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville and airports in and around Cincinnati, St. Louis, Houston, Kansas City, and Fayetteville, Ark.
Starting in October, the Las Vegas-based airline will add two new seasonal services from Gulf Shores to Appleton, Wis., and Des Moines, Iowa. The introductory fares for those two flights are priced at $59 one-way.
The plane that landed in Gulf Shores was an Airbus A320, the same type of single-aisle commercial airliner that is built about 50 miles away at the Airbus North American manufacturing facility in Mobile.
The low-cost carrier solely flies narrow-body planes. Their inventory includes a mix of Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft and Boeing 737 Max jets. The A320 planes have a maximum capacity of 180 passengers.
It's unclear how many passengers were on board the inaugural flights. Allegiant Air did not have an immediate count.
Allegiant Air's entry into Gulf Shores is the first time the low-cost airline, which has been operating for about 20 years, has flown from an airport in Alabama in about 17 years. Previously, Allegiant Air briefly operated flights from Huntsville International Airport, ending in 2008.
Schilling-Gonzales said that Allegiant Air's flights are all based on an economy configuration, which means there are no first-class sections or premium seating opportunities that are offered with other airlines.
The company does offer the possibility to upgrade seating for more legroom. According to an analysis by The Points Guy, a standard seat on Allegiant has about 30 inches of pitch (a measurement of legroom on planes) while a Legroom + seat has around 34 inches. Those additional options are typically found in the first row and exit row seats.
Seat assignments can be pre-booked online and can range from around $10 and up to $40.
Other fees assessed by the airline include:
Carry-on bags: A roll-board, garment, or tote bag that does not exceed 10 inches by 16 inches by 22 inches in size. The fee ranges from $10 to $75. Personal items (purse, briefcase, laptop computer, small backpack or small camera) are free. These items must be stored underneath the seat in front of you.
Checked bags: They are allowed up to four per passenger. Each checked bag can weigh up to 50 pounds. The costs are based on the bag's weight and size, often determined during the check-in process at the airport. The airline adds additional fees onto "overweight" bags starting at 51 pounds. For instance, a bag that weighs 51 to 70 pounds will cost an extra $50.
Priority Access: This is available for passengers who want to board the plane before general boarding. The fees are typically $11.50 to $17.50.
Food & Beverage: Allegiant offers snacks and drinks on board many flights, and the price range is $2 to $7.
Pet-in-Cabin: Allegiant accepts domestic cats and dogs only in the passenger cabin of the aircraft as long as they are in leak-proof carrier for flights within the 48 contiguous states. The fee is $50.
Bundles
Allegiant Air, as a discount carrier that assesses fees on almost everything, offers bundles aimed at reducing the costs.
Allegiant has three bundle fares: Allegiant Basic, Allegiant Bonus, and Allegiant Total. There are different luggage allowances and seat selections in each of these bundle fares. While only one personal item and a carry-on bag are allowed on Allegiant Basic, the Allegiant Bonus includes a checked bag or a carry-on bag (the choice of the bag depends upon the type of flight), and seat selection. Allegiant Total allows for priority boarding, a carry-on bag, one personal item and a checked bag.
Allegiant claims on its website that Bundles can save up to $114 per passenger. They are popular, the company says, because they help streamline the booking experience and save time and money.
"What is important for us is to offer customers the ability to customize their vacation," said Schilling-Gonzales. "If you're traveling with a large family, we're not charging extra so everyone can choose a seat assignment. If you fly with your spouse, you only have to pay for one checked bag. A lot of that is to keep the fees low."
For Gulf Shores, Allegiant Air's growing slate of flights represents a remarkable change in transportation for the Alabama Gulf Coast. The airport, which is also named after former U.S. Congressman Jack Edwards, was obtained by the city from the state in 1983.
Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft said a vision about operating commercial services from the airport began around 1988, when current Airport Authority Chairman Vic Roberts began his lengthy tenure with the organization.
"This vision has stayed strong," Craft said.
He credited federal and state investments in making the airport happen including the construction of a control tower, unveiled in 2021, and an expansion of the runways to accommodate commercial flights.
The two-gate terminal, which cost $8 million, is being financed through a $3 million loan by the City of Gulf Shores and about $5 million from former President Joe Biden Administration's signature policy proposal called the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
"What an amazing journey," Craft said. "Visions are really long term and take a lot of consistent efforts to get there."
Craft also credited new airport director Jesse Fosnaugh, who began at the airport in December, for providing the leadership to get the airport terminal's construction completed on time and the venue prepared for the flights.
Fosnaugh came to Gulf Shores after spending 18 years in airport management. He most recently was the deputy director at the Branson Airport in Missouri.
Allegiant Air announced in November its plans for flying out of Gulf Shores. At the time, the terminal was not yet under construction.
"None of this happens without Jesse being in place," Craft said.
Fosnaugh credited the Airport Authority and his staff for pushing to get the new facility operating in time for the first flight.
"The airport is designed as an extension f the community and its hospitality," he said. "This is the start of a new chapter and I'm ready to lead our team."
The airport's opening was also embraced by the mayors of Orange Beach and Foley, and officials urge residents in and around Baldwin County to utilize it for trips to Midwestern cities.
The airport's presence is mainly to accommodate travelers to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. The coastal beaches are, by far, the most popular tourist attractions in Alabama. According to state figures, the county attracts approximately 8 million visitors annually.
But officials hope that local residents will utilize the low-cost fares to visit Midwestern cities.
Said Gendler, "It's a new way for us, as residents, to get other places. We need to do that. The mountains outside of Knoxville are beautiful. Go do that."