Sun Country AirlinesSY

Sun Country Airlines is a Minnesota-based hybrid low-cost carrier headquartered at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. Founded in 1983, the airline has evolved from a charter operator into the 10th largest airline in the United States by passengers carried, serving over 100 destinations across the United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Unlike traditional legacy carriers or pure ultra-low-cost carriers, Sun Country operates a unique hybrid model that combines scheduled passenger service with charter operations and cargo flights for Amazon. This diversified approach allows the airline to offer competitive fares while maintaining better service standards than typical ULCCs. The airline operates an all-Boeing 737 fleet with 44 passenger aircraft and 20 freighter aircraft.

Sun Country is not a member of any airline alliance. In January 2026, Allegiant Travel Company announced plans to acquire Sun Country in a $1.5 billion merger, expected to close in late 2026.

Personal Item (Free)

Dimensions: 17" x 13" x 9" (43 x 33 x 23 cm)

• Must fit under the seat in front of you
• Included on all fares at no charge
• Examples: Small backpack, purse, laptop bag, small duffel

Carry-On Bag (Overhead Bin) - Fee Required

Unlike legacy carriers, Sun Country charges for overhead bin bags on all fares.

Dimensions: 24" x 16" x 11" (61 x 41 x 28 cm) including handles and wheels Weight limit: 35 lbs (16 kg)

When Purchased	Price
At booking on SunCountry.com	$25-40
After booking (online, phone, airport)	$50
At the gate	$55 + $10 handling = $65

Checked Baggage

Size limit: 62 linear inches (158 cm) - length + width + height Weight limit: 50 lbs (23 kg)

Bag	At Booking	After Booking	At Gate
1st bag	$30-40	$50	$55 + $10 = $65
2nd bag	$45	$60	$65 + $10 = $75
3rd bag	$45	$60	$65 + $10 = $75

Overweight & Oversized Fees

Weight	Fee
51-70 lbs (24-32 kg)	$75
71-100 lbs (33-45 kg)	$150
Over 100 lbs	Not accepted

Size	Fee
63-80 linear inches	$25+ (as of Sept 2025)
Over 80 linear inches	May not be accepted

Military Benefits

Active U.S. Military personnel receive 3 free bags (2 checked + 1 overhead) when presenting a valid Common Access Card (CAC) with "Uniformed Services" designation at the airport.

Credit Card Discount

Sun Country Visa Signature cardholders receive 50% off the first bag when purchased online before the flight.

Special Items

Item	Fee	Notes
Golf clubs	Standard bag fee	Counts as 1 checked bag
Skis/snowboard	Standard bag fee	Counts as 1 checked bag
Car seat	Free	Gate-check available
Stroller	Free	Gate-check available
Wheelchair	Free

Fees as of January 2025. Prices vary by route. Always verify at suncountry.com/help-center/bags-and-seats before traveling.

Sun Country operates an all-economy cabin with three seat types, offering more comfort than typical ultra-low-cost carriers.

Standard Seats

• Seat pitch: 29 inches (slimline seats make this feel closer to 31 inches on legacy carriers)
• Seat width: 17 inches
• Configuration: 3-3
• Power: USB ports at most seats
• Entertainment: Free streaming via AirFi to personal devices

Standard seats are adequate for Sun Country's typical leisure routes. The slimline seat design maximizes usable legroom despite the tight pitch on paper.

Best Seats (Extra Legroom)

• Seat pitch: 34 inches (5 extra inches vs standard)
• Seat width: 17 inches
• Power: AC power outlet at each seat
• Perks: Complimentary premium beverage, priority deplaning
• Location: Front of cabin
• Pricing: $15-65+ depending on route and demand

Best seats are worth considering for flights over 2-3 hours. The extra legroom, power outlet, and included drink provide good value at the lower end of the price range.

Exit Row Seats

• Seat pitch: 38 inches (9 extra inches vs standard)
• Location: Rows 14 and 15
• Requirements: Must be able to assist in emergency evacuation
• Pricing: Similar to Best seats ($15-65+)

Exit row seats offer the most legroom on the aircraft but require passengers to meet FAA requirements for emergency exit row seating.

Entertainment

Sun Country uses AirFi, a free wireless entertainment system streaming to personal devices:

• Movies, TV shows, games, and music
• Minnesota Travel Guide content
• No seatback screens - bring your own device
• No internet access (entertainment only)
• Download content before your flight if you need offline entertainment

Food & Beverages

Complimentary:

• Non-alcoholic beverages: Caribou Coffee, apple juice, cranberry juice, orange juice, Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, ginger ale, club soda, tonic water, water

For Purchase (credit card only, no cash):

Item	Price
Beer (Minnesota craft - Fulton)	$9
Wine	$9
Spirits (Prairie Organic, Crooked Water)	$9
Snacks (Dot's Pretzels, Wiley Wallaby, etc.)	$3-6
Bites Box / Bistro Box	$9
Hometown Flavor Bundle (MN drink + snack)	$1 discount

Sun Country partners with Minnesota and Midwest brands for an authentic local experience. The airline offers free Bloody Mary or margarita mix with liquor purchases.

Best Seat Premium Beverage

Best seat passengers receive one complimentary premium beverage (beer, wine, or spirits) as part of their upgrade.

Booking

1. Book directly on SunCountry.com - Bags are cheapest when purchased at initial booking, and you'll have easier access to changes and customer service.

2. Compare total cost with bags - Sun Country's base fares look attractive, but add overhead and checked bag fees before comparing to legacy carriers. Delta often includes carry-on from MSP.

3. Watch for sales - Sun Country runs frequent promotions, especially for seasonal routes. Sign up for email alerts.

4. Consider Best seats on longer flights - The extra legroom, power outlet, and free premium drink can be worth $15-30 on flights over 3 hours.

At Booking

5. Always add bags during initial purchase - The $25-40 at-booking price can jump to $50+ after booking and $65 at the gate.

6. Check the Sun Country credit card - The 50% first bag discount and 25,000-point welcome bonus can be valuable for frequent Sun Country flyers.

Before Your Flight

7. Check in at exactly 24 hours - Seat assignments for those who didn't select are made at check-in.

8. Download entertainment - AirFi streams entertainment to your device, but there's no internet. Download movies/shows before your flight for offline viewing.

9. Weigh your bags at home - Sun Country enforces the 50 lb limit. Overweight fees start at $75.

At the Airport

10. Use Terminal 2 (Humphrey) at MSP - Sun Country operates from the smaller, less congested terminal at Minneapolis-St. Paul.

11. Arrive early during peak season - Sun Country serves many leisure routes with seasonal surge traffic. Allow extra time during holidays and spring break.

12. Bring an empty water bottle - Free beverages are available onboard, but fill up after security to stay hydrated.

Earning Value

13. Stack credit card bonuses - The Sun Country Visa earns 3x on Sun Country + additional bonus with Plus status = up to 8x points on Sun Country purchases.

14. Use points for bags and upgrades - Redeeming 100 points = $1 toward any Sun Country purchase, not just flights.

15. Book car rentals through Sun Country - Earn 2x points per dollar on Avis and Budget rentals.

Know Before You Go

16. No Wi-Fi for internet access - Sun Country's AirFi is entertainment-only. Plan accordingly if you need to work.

17. Seasonal schedules vary significantly - Sun Country adjusts capacity based on leisure demand. Routes available in winter may not operate in summer and vice versa.

18. Allegiant merger pending - If the merger closes in late 2026, expect potential changes to routes, rewards, and policies.

Fees and policies as of January 2025. Verify at suncountry.com before booking.