Last Updated on July 2, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Sun Country Airlines, based in Eagan, Minnesota near Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, has flown travelers since 1982. What started as a charter operation has grown into an ultra-low-cost, scheduled-service carrier with flights across the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America — and in 2026, the airline entered a new chapter as part of a major industry merger. Here’s everything you need to know before you book.
Quick Answer
Sun Country Airlines is an ultra-low-cost carrier based in Eagan, Minnesota, flying Boeing 737s from its Minneapolis–St. Paul hub. Fares are cheap but unbundled — bags, seats, and snacks cost extra. In 2026, Sun Country was acquired by Allegiant Travel Company and will eventually merge into the Allegiant brand.
Key Takeaways
- Sun Country is an ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota, near its Minneapolis–St. Paul hub.
- Allegiant Travel Company closed its acquisition of Sun Country on May 13, 2026; the two brands currently operate separately while working toward a single certificate.
- Booking and check-in are handled online or via app, with check-in opening 24 hours before departure.
- There are no seatback screens — entertainment streams free to your own device, while full internet Wi-Fi may carry a fee.
- Food, drinks, seat selection, and bags are all a la carte, in line with the airline’s low-cost pricing model.
- Standard economy seats have 29 inches of pitch; “Best” seats offer about 34 inches, and exit rows up to 38-39 inches.
- Sun Country Rewards members earn points on every dollar spent, though the program is expected to eventually combine with Allegiant’s Allways Rewards.
Note: Allegiant Travel Company announced an agreement to acquire Sun Country for approximately $1.5 billion in January 2026; the deal received U.S. Department of Transportation approval in April 2026 and closed on May 13, 2026. Allegiant plans to eventually fold Sun Country’s operations into the Allegiant Air brand while keeping a significant presence at Minneapolis–St. Paul, though flight schedules, tickets, and loyalty accounts remain unaffected in the near term.
Sun Country is best known as a leisure-focused, ultra-low-cost carrier catering to vacationers seeking affordable options to popular holiday spots. Flying a fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft, it keeps base fares low by unbundling most extras — a model shared with carriers like Spirit and Frontier, though reviewers often note Sun Country includes a few more built-in comforts than the typical ULCC.
Sun Country operates a point-to-point route structure, allowing for direct flights between cities without layovers. This approach keeps operations simple and has helped the airline build a reputation for reliability and on-time performance, making it a straightforward choice for travelers who don’t need a lot of frills.
Booking and Check-in Process
The booking process is designed to be user-friendly. Travelers can search flights, compare prices, and book directly through Sun Country’s website or mobile app, filtering by departure time, duration, and price to find the best fit for their trip.
Sun Country frequently runs promotions and discounts through its site, giving budget-conscious flyers another way to save. Once a flight is booked, online check-in opens 24 hours before departure, letting passengers skip long airport lines. The online system also allows seat selection and add-on purchases like checked bags.
Passengers who prefer an in-person process can use self-service kiosks at the airport to print boarding passes and check luggage. Boarding itself follows a standard group system, with passengers who hold “Best” seats or priority boarding add-ons called first, followed by families with small children, then general boarding by group number.
Pro Tip: Because Sun Country’s a la carte pricing charges separately for carry-ons and checked bags, add any bags you’ll need at the time of booking — prices go up if you wait until check-in or the gate.
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Baggage Fees Overview
Like most ultra-low-cost carriers, Sun Country charges for nearly everything beyond a single personal item. A personal item (up to roughly 17 x 13 x 9 inches) is included with every fare. Carry-on bags and checked bags are both separate paid add-ons, and prices are lowest when purchased at booking rather than at the airport. Carry-on bags typically fall under a 35-pound weight limit, and checked bags are limited to about 50 pounds each, with maximum linear dimensions of 63 inches (length + width + height). Travelers who skip carry-ons and checked bags altogether — bringing only a personal item — get Sun Country’s cheapest possible fare.
In-flight Entertainment and Wi-Fi
In-flight entertainment on Sun Country Airlines skips seatback screens in favor of a free streaming service that passengers access on their own devices by connecting to the aircraft’s onboard network.
Skipping seatback screens in favor of device streaming keeps installation and maintenance costs down — savings that help Sun Country keep base fares low while still giving passengers movies, TV, and magazines to browse in flight.
Every passenger also receives a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage as part of the base fare. Full internet browsing, separate from the built-in entertainment library, may carry an additional fee and its speed can vary by route and altitude. Sun Country has said it expects to add satellite-based internet connectivity to its aircraft around 2027-2028, timed to a broader cabin refresh — so today’s Wi-Fi experience is likely to change in the next couple of years.
Warning: Don’t count on gate-to-gate Wi-Fi connectivity across the whole fleet — coverage and speed can be inconsistent, so download anything you’ll need offline before you board.
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Food and Beverage Options
| Option | Availability | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant | Available | – |
| Cafeteria | Available | – |
| Snack Bar | Available | – |
Food and drinks follow Sun Country’s low-cost model: beyond the complimentary non-alcoholic beverage, everything else is a buy-on-board purchase. The menu includes snacks like pretzels and cookies as well as heartier options such as sandwiches and salads, plus soft drinks, juices, and alcoholic beverages.
Passengers flying in “Best” seats receive a complimentary snack in addition to their drink. Travelers are also welcome to bring their own snacks onboard — a simple way to control both cost and taste on longer routes.
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Seat Comfort and Legroom
Sun Country’s Boeing 737 fleet uses an all-economy cabin with two seat types: Standard and “Best.” Standard seats have around 29 inches of pitch — tight on paper, though the slimline seat design means it feels closer to 31 inches in practice. Seats include a padded, adjustable headrest, and most rows have USB-A ports for charging.
“Best” seats, located at the front of the cabin, offer roughly 34 inches of pitch along with a movable headrest, extra recline, USB and standard power outlets, priority boarding, and a complimentary premium beverage. For the most legroom on the plane, exit-row seats in rows 14 and 15 offer up to 38-39 inches of pitch, though they lack a headrest and other Best-seat extras. Exit-row seating comes with FAA eligibility requirements, including a minimum age of 15 and the physical ability to assist in an evacuation.
Customer Service and Staff Friendliness
Customer service plays a real role in shaping the overall experience, and Sun Country has built a reputation for attentive, friendly crews. From check-in through arrival, staff are trained to assist with questions and support as needed, and many travelers report positive interactions with flight attendants who go the extra mile.
Support extends beyond the airport too, with phone and social-media channels available for questions or issues. While individual experiences vary, Sun Country’s approachable staff consistently show up as a strength in traveler feedback.
Loyalty Program and Benefits
Sun Country’s loyalty program, Sun Country Rewards, lets members earn 2 points per dollar spent on direct bookings and 1 point per dollar on third-party purchases, with points redeemable for future flights or upgrades (100 points typically equal about $1 in travel value). Members also get perks like priority boarding and access to special promotions, with additional benefits unlocking at higher tiers based on travel frequency and spending.
Note: Following the Allegiant acquisition, Sun Country Rewards is expected to eventually merge with Allegiant’s Allways Rewards program. No firm combination date had been announced as of mid-2026, and Sun Country Rewards continues to operate normally in the meantime.
Overall Conclusion and Recommendations
Sun Country Airlines remains a solid option for budget-conscious travelers who don’t mind paying a la carte for bags, seats, and snacks. Its booking and check-in process is genuinely straightforward, and while entertainment relies on personal devices rather than seatback screens, the free streaming library covers modern passenger expectations well.
Seat comfort is adequate for most travelers, with real upgrades available through “Best” or exit-row seating for anyone who wants more legroom. Customer service remains a consistent strength, and Sun Country Rewards offers worthwhile value for frequent flyers — at least until it eventually combines with Allegiant’s program.
The bigger story to watch is the Allegiant merger: while day-to-day flying hasn’t changed yet, travelers booking further out should expect the Sun Country brand, loyalty program, and route network to gradually shift toward Allegiant over the next couple of years.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sun Country Airlines?
Sun Country Airlines is an ultra-low-cost airline based in the United States, operating scheduled and charter flights to destinations across the U.S., Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
When was Sun Country Airlines founded?
Sun Country Airlines was founded in 1982 and began flight operations on January 20, 1983, with its first route between Sioux Falls and Las Vegas.
Where is Sun Country Airlines headquartered?
Sun Country Airlines is headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota, near Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport.
What type of aircraft does Sun Country Airlines operate?
Sun Country Airlines operates a fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft for its scheduled passenger flights.
What are the main hubs for Sun Country Airlines?
Sun Country’s main hub is Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, with focus cities including Portland, Nashville, Dallas-Fort Worth, St. Louis, Madison, and Providence.
Does Sun Country Airlines offer in-flight entertainment and amenities?
Yes. Sun Country offers free streaming entertainment to personal devices, a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage, optional internet Wi-Fi, and food and beverage options available for purchase.
What is Sun Country Airlines’ loyalty program?
Sun Country Rewards lets members earn points on flights and eligible purchases, redeemable for future travel. The program is expected to eventually combine with Allegiant’s Allways Rewards following the 2026 merger.
Is Sun Country Airlines being acquired by Allegiant?
Yes. Allegiant Travel Company closed its $1.5 billion acquisition of Sun Country on May 13, 2026. The two airlines currently operate separately while working toward a single operating certificate, and Sun Country’s brand and loyalty program are expected to eventually be folded into Allegiant.
Does Sun Country charge for carry-on and checked bags?
Yes. Only a personal item is included with the base fare. Carry-on and checked bags are separate paid add-ons, and prices are lowest when purchased at the time of booking rather than at the airport.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Sun Country Airlines — airline classification, Allegiant merger timeline, headquarters
- Sun Country Airlines Investor Relations: Our Story — founding history, business model
- Sun Country Airlines: In-Flight Experience — entertainment and amenities
- Twin Cities Business: Allegiant to Acquire Sun Country — merger deal terms and timeline
- Thrifty Traveler: Sun Country Airlines Review — seat pitch and cabin details