As someone who’s spent thousands of hours in the air reviewing dozens of budget airlines, from the tarmac at Minneapolis-St. Paul to tucking into the tight seats of low-cost carriers across the U.S., Sun Country Airlines has always intrigued me. It’s not as infamous as Spirit, nor as headline-grabbing as Southwest, but it fills a unique niche: affordable leisure travel with a Midwestern backbone.
I’ve flown with Sun Country across multiple seasons, routes, and booking classes. If you’re wondering whether it’s genuinely a budget-friendly option, or a stripped-down gamble, I’ve put together everything you need to know based on real-world flights, government data, pricing analysis, and customer feedback.
Let’s break it down.
What is Sun Country Airlines?
Sun Country Airlines is a U.S.-based ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The airline operates scheduled passenger services, charter flights, and cargo transport under a hybrid model. It focuses primarily on leisure routes, flying to warm-weather destinations across the U.S., Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
- Headquarters: Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
- Founded: 1982
- Fleet Size: 54 aircraft (as of 2024), mainly Boeing 737-800s
- Destinations: 80+ including seasonal and charter operations
- Business Model: Ultra-low-cost with optional add-ons (seats, bags, etc.)
Sun Country was once a full-service airline but pivoted to the ULCC model in 2018 under new leadership. This shift allowed them to compete on price with Spirit, Allegiant, and Frontier while using a more flexible route structure.
Is Sun Country a Budget Airline?
Yes, Sun Country is an ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC). The airline keeps its base fares low by unbundling services, meaning you pay separately for carry-ons, checked bags, seat selection, and onboard amenities.
When comparing base fares on popular leisure routes (e.g. MSP–LAS, MSP–PHX), Sun Country routinely undercuts legacy airlines by 25–40%, and matches or beats Spirit and Frontier by a few dollars.
Base Fare Comparison on Similar Routes (One-Way Averages)
| Airline | Avg Base Fare (USD) | Carry-on Included | Seat Selection Fee |
| Sun Country | $79 | No | Yes ($15–$45) |
| Spirit Airlines | $68 | No | Yes ($10–$40) |
| Southwest | $99 | Yes | No |
Sun Country uses a dynamic pricing model, so prices vary significantly depending on route demand and timing. But in general, they’re among the cheapest, if you don’t mind the extras.
How Comfortable is the Onboard Experience?
Comfort is not Sun Country’s strong suit. The airline uses Boeing 737-800s configured with dense seating to maximize revenue per flight. Standard economy seats offer:
- Seat Pitch: 29 to 31 inches
- Seat Width: Approx. 17.3 inches
- Seat Types: Standard, Exit Row, Preferred (extra legroom)
On most of my flights, the seating felt tighter than Delta or Alaska, but on par with Spirit. Exit row and “Preferred” seats improve legroom slightly, around 34 inches of pitch, but they cost $25–$65 depending on the flight.
Amenities Overview
- In-Flight Entertainment: None
- Wi-Fi: Not available
- Power Outlets: None
- Food/Drinks: Buy-on-board only, limited menu
The airline removed seatback screens and Wi-Fi to reduce weight and maintenance costs. If you fly Sun Country, bring a power bank and pre-loaded entertainment.
What Are the Baggage Fees and Rules?
Sun Country’s baggage fees are among the most complex and potentially expensive among budget airlines. They follow the ULCC playbook: personal items are free, but everything else costs extra, and the earlier you buy, the better.
2024 Baggage Fee Chart (One-Way)
| Baggage Type | Paid During Booking | Added Later | Paid at Airport |
| Carry-On Bag | $30–$45 | $50 | $60 |
| First Checked Bag | $30–$45 | $50 | $60 |
| Overweight/Over-sized | $100+ | $100+ | $100+ |
- Personal Item: Free (must fit under seat)
- Carry-On: Max 24 x 16 x 11 inches
- Checked Bag: Max 50 lbs, $100 surcharge if overweight
What I’ve learned is this: never wait until airport check-in to pay for bags. You’ll pay nearly double what you’d pay online.
Is Sun Country Reliable and On-Time?
According to 2023 U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) data, Sun Country’s on-time arrival rate hovered around 78%, slightly below the industry average of 81%.
Performance Stats (2023)
| Metric | Sun Country | Industry Avg |
| On-Time Arrival Rate | 78% | 81% |
| Cancellation Rate | 1.60% | 1.20% |
| Mishandled Baggage Rate | 4.5 per 1,000 | 3.9 per 1,000 |
Much of the variance stems from weather impacts at its MSP hub, which is prone to snow and storm delays. In my experience, most flights operate smoothly, but expect delays during winter and peak holidays.
How Does Sun Country Handle Customer Service?
Customer service is the Achilles’ heel of many ULCCs, and Sun Country is no exception. I’ve personally dealt with long hold times, limited rebooking flexibility, and inconsistent communication.
- Customer Support: Phone, email, live chat (no 24/7 service)
- Trustpilot Score (2024): 2.2/5
- Better Business Bureau (BBB): B+ rating
- Common Complaints: Delayed refunds, poor rebooking support, unexpected fees
- Positive Reviews: Friendly flight attendants, helpful gate staff
Sun Country does not offer automatic rebooking for cancellations caused by weather or operational issues, passengers must proactively reschedule. That puts pressure on travelers during irregular operations.
Who Should Fly Sun Country?
Sun Country makes sense if you’re a leisure traveler looking for low fares and don’t need frills. Based on hundreds of reviews and personal experience, the ideal passenger profile includes:
- Vacationers on flexible schedules
- Families traveling with one checked bag
- Travelers flying from or through MSP
- Those who don’t require Wi-Fi, lounges, or business perks
Not Ideal For:
- Business travelers with tight timelines
- Passengers who dislike a la carte pricing
- Anyone expecting full-service amenities
What Are the Pros and Cons of Flying Sun Country?
Pros
- Low base fares: Often $20–$50 cheaper than legacy airlines
- Seasonal routes: Great for vacation getaways (e.g. Cancun, Punta Cana)
- Direct flights from MSP: Strong network for Midwest travelers
- Reliable fleet: Operates Boeing 737-800s with good safety records
Cons
- Many extra fees: Seat, bag, and boarding add-ons can double your fare
- No Wi-Fi or IFE: Bring your own entertainment
- Customer support gaps: Limited rebooking and refund support
- Tight seating: Not ideal for tall passengers
How Does Sun Country Compare to Other Low-Cost Airlines?
| Feature | Sun Country | Spirit Airlines | Frontier Airlines | Southwest Airlines |
| Free Carry-On | No | No | No | Yes |
| Free Checked Bag | No | No | No | Yes (2 bags) |
| Seat Selection Included | No | No | No | Yes |
| Inflight Wi-Fi | No | No | No | Yes |
| Cancellation Flexibility | Low | Low | Low | High |
Southwest clearly dominates on flexibility and inclusions, while Sun Country competes closely with Spirit and Frontier in price. The main difference is that Sun Country still offers assigned gates and more traditional boarding at MSP, which often feels less chaotic.
Final Verdict: Is Sun Country Worth It?
Yes, if price is your top priority and you plan ahead.
Sun Country Airlines provides a legitimate low-cost travel option for budget-conscious flyers, especially from the Midwest. You’ll need to accept trade-offs: no entertainment, extra fees for nearly everything, and limited service when things go wrong.
But if you:
- Book early
- Add bags and seats in advance
- Travel during non-peak seasons
- Have flexible travel plans
Then Sun Country can offer a surprisingly smooth and wallet-friendly experience.