Sun Country Airlines in 2026: Baggage Fees, Best Bundle, and When Private Charter Makes More Sense

Sun Country Airlines operates as one of the most visible ultra-low-cost carriers in the United States, flying millions of passengers to warm-weather destinations each year. But in 2026, with an unbundled pricing model that charges separately for nearly every amenity, the gap between an advertised fare and the actual trip cost can catch travelers off guard. Here is what you need to know before you book.

Key Takeaways

Sun Country Airlines is a Minneapolis-based ULCC that keeps base fares low but charges separately for carry-on bags, checked bags, seat selection, and priority boarding. The airline serves over 100 destinations across the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America using an all-economy Boeing 737 fleet.

• Sun Country charges for overhead bag storage unless it is included in a bundle. Checked bags have a 50 lb weight limit, and baggage fees are higher at the airport check-in counter than online. Buying extras at booking can save significant money versus paying at the gate.

• The best bundle offsets many of these costs by packaging a checked bag, carry-on, any seat type, priority boarding, and change fee waivers into a single price. For travelers who need multiple add-ons, it frequently beats purchasing each service separately.

• Frequent flyers, executives, and groups with bulky equipment may find that a private jet charter platform like Jettly delivers better value once all Sun Country fees, delays, and schedule limitations are factored in. Jettly offers transparent, all-in pricing and on-demand schedule flexibility.

• The Allegiant Air acquisition, completed in May 2026, adds uncertainty to Sun Country's route network, fee structures, and loyalty program through late 2026. Travelers should compare options carefully before committing.

Read on for concrete fee examples, booking tips, and a side-by-side look at Sun Country's economy model versus on-demand private jet travel.

Sun Country Airlines Overview 2026

Sun Country Airlines is an ultra-low-cost carrier based at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP Terminal 2). The airline operates a hybrid model combining scheduled passenger flights, charter flying, and cargo operations using a largely uniform Boeing 737 fleet — primarily 737-800s with some 737-900ERs entering service.

In early 2026, the network covers roughly 90–100 destinations with direct flights to leisure hot spots like Las Vegas, Orlando, Cancun, Punta Cana, and multiple cities in Florida, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and Canada. Sun Country Airlines focuses heavily on seasonal vacation routes, scaling schedules up during winter and spring break weeks.

The cabin is all-economy with three seat options: Standard, Exit Row, and Best seats. There is no first class. Sun Country uses an unbundled pricing model, meaning base fares are low but add-ons can increase total cost substantially. Baggage fees, seat upgrades, and bundle sales generate nearly $295 million in ancillary revenue annually, according to Sun Country's 2025 financial filings.

How Sun Country's Unbundled Pricing Really Works

"Unbundled" means the fare only covers transportation and one small personal item that fits under the seat in front of you. Almost everything else is à la carte.

Major chargeable extras include:

• Advance seat selection (Standard, Exit Row, or Best seats)

• Overhead bag (carry-on stored in the overhead bin)

• First and second checked bags

• Oversized or overweight luggage surcharges

• Priority check-in and preferred boarding

• Same-day change fees and trip flexibility

Sun Country offers these options during the booking flow, but travelers who skip those screens often face surprise charges later. A carry-on bag typically costs around $30–$40 each way when purchased online. Wait until the airport counter, and the price jumps to $55 plus a $10 gate-handling fee.

The result: a $49 base fare can easily double or triple on a round-trip once you add one overhead bag and one checked bag per direction.

Sun Country Baggage Fees: Carry-On vs Checked Bags

Baggage fees are one of the biggest drivers of total trip cost on Sun Country Airlines, especially for families with small children or sports travelers hauling equipment.

Personal item (free): One under-seat bag is included. Under-seat bags must fit under the seat in front of you — roughly 17 × 13 × 9 inches. Think small backpack, purse, or laptop case. Anything larger counts as a paid carry-on.

Overhead carry-on: Maximum dimensions around 24 × 16 × 11 inches. Sun Country charges for carry-on bags unless included in a bundle. Expect to pay $25–$40 at booking, $50 after booking, or $55+ at the gate.

Checked bags: Standard weight limit is 50 lb and size limit is around 62 linear inches. First checked bag runs roughly $30–$40 online. Second checked bag is typically $45–$60. Overweight items (51–70 lb) incur a $75 surcharge; oversized bags over 62 linear inches cost around $100 extra.

Fee Type	At Booking	After Booking	At Gate
Carry-on bag	$25–$40	~$50	$55 + $10 handling
1st checked bag	$30–$40	~$50	$55 + $10 handling
2nd checked bag	$45–$60	~$60+	Higher + handling

Add baggage online to save on fees. Sun Country's baggage calculator helps estimate costs for your specific route before you confirm a fare.

Inside the Sun Country "Best Bundle" and Other Fare Options

Sun Country sells two bundles — Standard and Best — that package popular extras at a lower combined price than buying each service separately.

Standard bundle (roughly $66 per direction, per traveler) includes a Standard seat selection, one under-seat personal item, either a carry-on or checked bag (not both), and priority check-in. The Standard bundle includes one under-seat item and priority check-in, making it suitable for light packers on short trips.

Best bundle (roughly $124 per direction, per traveler) includes any seat type, one carry-on plus one checked bag, no change fees outside close-in windows, preferred boarding, and boosted rewards points. The best bundle includes a checked bag and priority boarding, covering the most common extras in a single purchase.

Practical example: A family of four flying MSP to Orlando, each needing one checked bag, would pay $120–$160 in baggage fees alone if purchased separately at booking. The best bundle for all four travelers would cost more upfront but includes seat selection, carry-on, and flexibility — potentially saving $100–$200 round-trip versus stacking individual add-ons.

Frequent leisure travelers who do not fly enough for elite status should compare bundles on each trip. For high-stakes or time-sensitive journeys, comparing these costs with private charter options and understanding how much a private jet really costs may reveal better value.

Seats, Legroom, and Priority Check-In on Sun Country

Sun Country Airlines offers three seating options: Standard, Exit Row, and Best. None qualify as premium by legacy airline standards, but the differences matter on longer routes.

Standard seats have 29–30 inches of legroom and USB charging at most seats. Sun Country offers free non-alcoholic beverages onboard, and passengers can stream in-flight entertainment on their own device via the airline's Wi-Fi portal. Sun Country also sells snacks and alcoholic beverages onboard. Recline is minimal.

Exit Row seats offer nine additional inches of legroom compared to Standard seats, giving taller passengers meaningful relief. Recline may be limited, and travelers must meet safety responsibilities. Exit Row costs more than Standard but less than Best.

Best seats provide 34 inches of extra legroom and USB charging, along with AC power outlets and preferred boarding. Passengers in Best seats receive a complimentary premium beverage. These seats sit near the front of the aircraft for faster deplaning.

Priority boarding is available for an additional fee or included with bundles and Best seats. At congested airports like MSP, Dallas, or Phoenix, this can shave 20–30 minutes off your departure routine.

Comparing Sun Country to Allegiant Air and Other ULCCs

Sun Country Airlines and Allegiant Air both operate as ULCCs targeting leisure travelers, but they differ in onboard experience and corporate trajectory.

Similarities: Both airlines rely on unbundled fares, emphasize warm-weather destinations, and generate substantial revenue from ancillary fees. Neither offers a traditional first or business class.

Sun Country's relative strengths: Free non-alcoholic beverages, complimentary streaming entertainment to personal devices, and a more standardized Boeing 737-800 fleet. Kayak gives Sun Country Airlines a score of 6.8/10, and cabin crew friendliness scores 7.7/10 on Kayak.

Where Sun Country struggles: Sun Country's on-time arrival rate was 72% in 2025. The airline holds a 1.8/5 rating on Yelp, and Trustpilot rates Sun Country Airlines at approximately 1.5/5. Passengers report hold times averaging over 45 minutes when trying to speak with customer service — a pattern many describe as zero communication during disruptions, leaving travelers terribly uncomfortable during cancellations or delays.

The Allegiant factor: Allegiant announced and completed its roughly $1.5 billion acquisition of Sun Country in May 2026. For now, booking systems, loyalty programs, and policies remain separate. But gradual changes are expected as integration continues. The combined airlines could operate over 650 routes, but integration brings the risk of schedule shifts, fee harmonization, and route cancellations. Travelers should monitor announcements through Sun Country's acquisition FAQ page.

When choosing between ULCCs, compare total trip cost — fares plus baggage fees, seat selection, and bundles — not just the advertised price.

When Budget Airlines Stop Making Sense: Private Jet vs Sun Country

For most holidaymakers, the experience of flying Sun Country is a reasonable deal, but those exploring private options should first understand the full range of affordable aircraft rental choices and the cheapest private aircraft options available beyond traditional airlines. But for executives, high-net-worth families, or time-sensitive travelers, the delays, baggage uncertainty, and rigid schedules of ULCCs carry real costs.

Sun Country sells seats on fixed schedules with limited flexibility. A private charter aircraft platform like Jettly provides on-demand access to entire aircraft, custom departure times, and transparent, all-in pricing with no hidden baggage fees, and stands out among leading private and charter airlines for its real-time booking and transparency.

Use case 1: A C-suite team needs a same-day MSP–New York–MSP round trip for meetings. Sun Country's fixed schedules and 72% on-time rate make this risky. A midsize private jet departs on the team's schedule, avoids TSA lines, and returns the same evening.

Use case 2: A family group of six flying Minneapolis to Scottsdale with golf bags. Sun Country's oversize and overweight surcharges, combined with checked bag fees for six passengers, could easily reach $500–$800 round-trip. A private charter with generous baggage allowances eliminates those fees entirely, whether booked as a shared charter flight or a full private charter.

Private jets depart from smaller FBO terminals, skip security lines, allow late schedule changes, and can reach regional airports that Sun Country and Allegiant Air do not serve — reducing total door-to-door travel time significantly, especially when you work with top private jet charter companies experienced in complex itineraries and understand one private jet flight cost in detail.

How Jettly Simplifies Private Charter Compared to Traditional Airlines

Jettly is designed for travelers who want a digital, transparent alternative to both ULCC complexity and legacy jet membership programs, positioning itself as a flexible NetJets alternative for frequent private fliers who may also be comparing how NetJets works as the industry leader.

The platform offers online and app-based airport search with instant pricing for thousands of routes. Travelers can compare multiple aircraft types — light jet, midsize, heavy jet, turboprop - and use tools like Jettly’s jet card flight cost estimator without committing to long-term jet cards or fractional ownership.

For travelers accustomed to Sun Country's fee stacking, Jettly's value proposition is straightforward: one transparent price covers fuel, handling, taxes, and baggage, and tools like its private jet charter cost estimator and guides that break down a single flight’s cost make it easy to understand pricing up front. No carry-on surcharges, no gate fees, no 45-minute hold times.

Jettly offers both pay-as-you-go charter and private jet membership tiers, such as its world-class jet card programs,s that can reduce per-flight costs, provide dedicated support, and sometimes include discounted empty-leg flights. Every operator on the platform complies with FAA Part 135 (or equivalent international standards), and aircraft and crews are vetted for safety and operational certification.

Tips to Minimize Costs and Stress on Sun Country Flights

For travelers who will still fly Sun Country, these steps help avoid common pitfalls; and for travel creators or consultants, Jettly’s ULTRA high-ticket affiliate program can even turn those private charter referrals into an additional revenue stream by teaching audiences how to get a seat on a private jet easily:

• Add bags online at booking. Sun Country's baggage fees are higher at the airport check-in counter. Pre-purchasing carry-ons and checked bags during booking saves $15–$25 per bag versus the gate price.

• Arrive at least 2 hours before departure at busy airports like MSP, Dallas, or Phoenix. Peak-season lines at Terminal 2 can run long, especially during holiday week travel.

• Download the Sun Country app for mobile boarding. Enable alerts for gate updates, boarding time changes, and schedule adjustments. This reduces dependence on call centers with long hold times.

• Set a price alert for specific flights. Fares and bundle prices fluctuate by route and availability. Booking early generally locks in lower prices.

• Book nonstop flights to avoid missed connections. Sun Country's nonstop flights between MSP and destinations like Orlando, Las Vegas, or Cancun reduce the risk of delays cascading into missed onward travel.

• Consider travel insurance for cancellations and delays. With a 72% on-time rate, disruptions are not unusual.

• Compare the best bundle vs. à la carte extras for every trip. And for mission-critical journeys where delays or lost bags carry high personal or financial costs, compare private charter costs through Jettly before finalizing.

FAQ: Sun Country Airlines, Baggage Fees, and Private Charter Options

How much should I budget for Sun Country baggage fees on a typical round-trip?

A traveler flying MSP to Las Vegas round-trip in 2026 with one carry-on and one checked bag should expect total baggage fees in the $80–$150 range if purchased online. At the airport or gate, that figure can climb past $200. Always add baggage during booking to pay the lowest available price.

Does Sun Country charge extra for golf clubs and other sports equipment?

Standard-sized golf bags, skis, and snowboards generally count as checked luggage under the 50 lb and 62 linear-inch limits. Oversize or overweight items incur surcharges—es - typically $75 for overweight and $100 for oversized. Items exceeding 80 linear inches or 100 lb may not be accepted. Check Sun Country's latest sports equipment policy before you travel.

How will the Allegiant Air acquisition affect Sun Country routes and fees?

As of late 2026, the $1.5 billion acquisition is in early integration stages. Existing tickets remain valid under current Sun Country rules. Any major changes to baggage fees, bundles, routes, or schedules will be communicated by the airlines and may take months to roll out. Travelers should monitor both carriers' websites for updates.

When does it make more sense to book a private jet instead of flying Sun Country?

Private charter typically makes more sense for time-critical business trips, multi-city itineraries in a single day, groups of 4–8 with high baggage needs, or flights to airports Sun Country does not serve. Jettly's instant pricing makes it easy to combine route search with cost comparison against multiple Sun Country tickets plus fees.

Where can I learn more about private charter as an alternative to Sun Country Airlines?

Explore Jettly's charter options and instant pricing tools at https://www.jettly.com. The platform lets you compare aircraft categories, estimated flight times, and all-inclusive costs, and even follow step-by-step guides on how to buy a seat on a private jet before deciding whether to fly commercial or private. Ready to experience private travel on your terms? Request a quote and see how the numbers compare.

Conclusion

Sun Country Airlines offers a budget-friendly option for leisure travelers who prioritize low base fares and fly to popular warm-weather destinations. However, its unbundled pricing model means fees for baggage, seat selection, and priority boarding can add up quickly, especially for families or travelers with extra luggage. The recent acquisition by Allegiant Air introduces some uncertainty around future routes and fee structures.

For travelers seeking flexibility, convenience, and transparent all-inclusive pricing, private jet charter platforms like Jettly present a compelling alternative. Jettly provides instant pricing, on-demand access to a wide range of aircraft, and eliminates hidden fees and long wait times. Whether for business trips, family vacations, or time-sensitive travel, Jettly simplifies private aviation with technology-driven booking and membership options.

Ready to experience private travel on your terms? Explore flight options or request a quote at https://jettly.com/. Learn more about Jettly’s private jet charter costs and discover the best private jet charter companies. For detailed insights on aircraft choices, visit our guide to private jets.