Allegiant with continuing massive technical problems - Curt Lewis

2 days and 4 planes later, Orlando flight arrives in GR

Allegiant Airlines flight from Orlando finally took off for Grand Rapids Thursday

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A direct flight from Orlando to Grand Rapids was supposed to take about three hours, but instead it took two days and four different aircraft.

Passengers on Allegiant Air Flight 682 were scheduled to take off from Orlando Sanford International Airport at 3:21 p.m. Wednesday and land at Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids around 6:30 p.m., but the flight was delayed after multiple different mechanical problems.

"It was getting scary too. We just kind of felt like are we really going to make it back," said Nicole Doud, who was traveling with her 10-month-old baby and two-year-old son.

Passengers tell 24 Hour News 8 the first plane took off then had to turn around and return to the gate around 4:21 p.m. due to a mechanical issue.

The travelers then boarded another aircraft around 6 p.m., but were again sent back to the gate a half hour later due to another, unrelated mechanical issue.

The third flight was scheduled to depart around 8:45 p.m., however, it returned to the gate around 9:30 p.m. because there was an issue with the cabin lighting.

Allegiant Air told 24 Hour News 8 in a statement released Thursday that passengers were given hotel rooms for the night. They were also given food and drinks at the gate and $200 off vouchers for future flights.

Flight 682 was rescheduled as Flight 5682 for Thursday. It left Orlando at 8:27 a.m. and landed in Grand Rapids 10:57 a.m.

"He was just a good pilot. So as aggravating as the situation was, it was a good experience because [the pilot] was safe," said Princess Braue.

"We are exhausted. We are just tired that it was just off and on and off and on," Gina Postelli told 24 Hour News 8 after landing in Grand Rapids on Thursday. When asked if she would fly with Allegiant Airlines again, Postelli said she would not.

Passengers were offered the option to change their reservation to another Allegiant flight at no extra cost. Any passengers who chose not to fly with Allegiant will receive a full refund, according to the airline.

There are advantages to cheap flights, but there is a reason they are inexpensive. It's important that you know what you are giving up to keep a few dollars.

"There are less carriers which is less completion, which has meant in most cases higher prices," said travel agent John Lovell with Breton Travel.

That's why some Grand Rapids flyers are turning to cheaper flights like Allegiant, which provides cheap and direct flights. At least, that's the idea - but problems pop can up.