Real ratings, real passenger stories, baggage fees, on-time performance — everything you need before you book.
📞 Call +1-888-217-8056 for Expert HelpSun Country Airlines is a Minneapolis-based ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota, with its main hub at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP). Founded as a leisure airline, it serves over 96 destinations across the United States, Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and Canada — primarily warm-weather getaway spots.
The airline operates an all-economy cabin with two seating tiers: Best seats (extra legroom, USB charging, priority boarding, complimentary premium beverage) and Standard seats (USB charging, complimentary non-alcoholic beverage, free in-flight entertainment via streaming on your own device). There is no traditional first class or business class.
Sun Country uses an unbundled pricing model — meaning you pay for the base fare, then add on bags, seat selection, and extras à la carte or through a bundle. This keeps base fares low but can add up quickly.
Before deciding whether Sun Country Airlines is right for you, let's look at how they perform across the major review platforms in 2026:
The picture is clear: Sun Country consistently scores low on consumer complaint platforms but slightly better on verified booking platforms like Kayak. The one consistent bright spot? Cabin crew friendliness.
Based on analysis of over 2,000 verified reviews across Yelp, Kayak, Tripadvisor, Trustpilot, BBB and PissedConsumer, here's a balanced breakdown:
Here's a sample of what actual travelers are saying across verified platforms:
"This is my go-to airline and I absolutely love it — I can fly anywhere out of MSP for next to nothing! The people working this airline are some of the kindest folks out there."
"I cannot get in touch with anyone at this airline. Sat on hold for 45 minutes with no answer. They offered me a voucher as if I'd want to fly with them again after my flight was delayed 8 hours with zero communication."
"Boarding and crew were great. Seats are terribly uncomfortable but the price was right. Everything went smoothly — great first experience flying with small children!"
"Our bags were left behind in Dallas. We arrived in Punta Cana without luggage and received zero communication for 4 days. When I finally got someone on the phone, they told me I could drive to the airport at 10:30pm to pick them up myself."
"I want to give a huge thank you to the wonderful woman working the Sun Country ticket counter at DFW around 5:00 AM. She was truly an angel. She went above and beyond to help us make our flight even at final call."
One of the most common sources of confusion — and frustration — in Sun Country Airlines reviews is the baggage and seat fee structure. Here's exactly what you need to know:
Sun Country uses a fully unbundled model. You pay for the base fare and then add what you need:
To simplify things, Sun Country offers two bundles: Standard and Best. The Best bundle includes all seat options, an overhead bag, a checked bag, no change fees, priority boarding, and 4× rewards points — worth considering for leisure travelers with luggage.
Standard seats feature 29–30 inches of legroom and USB charging. Best seats offer 34 inches of legroom, moveable headrests, extra recline, USB charging, AC power outlets, and preferred boarding. Seat selection is an add-on unless included in your bundle.
How does Sun Country stack up against other budget and leisure carriers for 2026? Here's a head-to-head comparison based on verified reviews and industry data:
| Feature | Sun Country | Southwest | Frontier | Allegiant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Fare (Budget) | ✔ Very Low | ✔ Low | ✔ Very Low | ✔ Very Low |
| Free Carry-On Included | ✘ Add-on | ✔ Yes (2 bags!) | ✘ Add-on | ✘ Add-on |
| Free Beverage Onboard | ✔ Non-alcoholic | ✔ Yes | ✘ Buy-on-board | ✘ Buy-on-board |
| In-Flight Entertainment | ✔ Free streaming | ✔ Free WiFi | ✘ None | ✘ None |
| USB Charging | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✘ Limited | ✘ Limited |
| Avg. Customer Rating | 1.8–6.8/10 | 3.5–7.5/10 | 1.5–5.5/10 | 2.5–6.5/10 |
| Crew Rating | ✔ 7.7/10 | ✔ 8.0/10 | 6.0/10 | 6.5/10 |
| No Change Fees | Best bundle only | ✔ Always | Add-on | Add-on |
| Skytrax Star Rating | 3-Star | 3-Star | 2-Star | Not Rated |
Bottom line: Sun Country offers better onboard amenities than Frontier or Allegiant (free beverages, streaming, USB charging) but lags behind Southwest on overall flexibility and customer satisfaction. If you're flying out of Minneapolis, Sun Country is your strongest budget option for nonstop leisure routes.
This is the biggest development in Sun Country Airlines history. Here's what it means for travelers:
If you have existing Sun Country bookings, your tickets remain valid. However, for any questions about how the merger affects your flights, it's worth calling ahead.
Based on patterns across thousands of real reviews, here's how to minimize risk and maximize value when flying Sun Country:
Baggage fees are consistently higher at the airport check-in counter. Always add your carry-on and checked bags during online booking or before check-in. The savings are significant.
Multiple reviews cite missing flights due to slow check-in lines, particularly during peak travel periods. The airline recommends 2 hours early — take this seriously at busy airports like MSP and DFW.
Reviewers consistently praise Sun Country's mobile app for smooth check-in and boarding passes. The app also provides faster access to flight status updates than waiting on hold.
If you're checking a bag and want flexibility, the Best bundle often pays for itself — it includes a carry-on, checked bag, priority boarding and no change fees. Run the math before booking bare-bones.
Given the high rate of complaints around cancellations and baggage issues in Sun Country reviews, third-party travel insurance is strongly advisable. It protects you from delays, missed connections and lost luggage.
Sun Country's model excels on nonstop leisure routes. Multiple reviews cite missed connections and rebooking nightmares when itineraries involve connections. Stick to nonstops where you can.
Sun Country's own hold times average 45+ minutes based on 2026 reviews. If you hit a snag, don't waste your vacation on hold — call our travel specialists who can often resolve issues faster.
After analyzing over 2,000 verified Sun Country Airlines reviews across Yelp, Kayak, Trustpilot, Tripadvisor, BBB and PissedConsumer, here's our honest conclusion:
Sun Country Airlines is best for: Budget travelers flying nonstop from Minneapolis–Saint Paul to warm-weather leisure destinations who prioritize price above all else, travel light or pre-plan baggage, and have a backup plan if something goes wrong.
Sun Country Airlines is not ideal for: Travelers who need reliable customer service, those flying to a must-attend event with no flexibility, anyone prone to baggage anxiety, or frequent flyers who value loyalty program depth.
The upcoming merger with Allegiant Air in 2026 creates uncertainty, but also the potential for improved routes and loyalty benefits. For now, fly Sun Country with clear eyes — enjoy the low fares and friendly crew, pack light, add bags online, and have our number saved just in case.