Sun Country Airlines remains a popular U.S. budget carrier in 2024, praised for rock-bottom base fares but often criticized for extra fees and service quirks.
Recent Sun Country Airlines reviews 2024 reveal a mixed picture: passengers enjoy affordable tickets and padded seats, but many cite delays, cancellations, and costly add-ons.
So, is Sun Country Airlines good? In the sections below, we break down ticket pricing, baggage rules, the booking process, in-flight experience, seat comfort, customer service, and punctuality based on recent customer feedback.
Sun Country Airlines Reviews: Ticket Pricing and Fees
Sun Country’s ultra-low-cost model means very cheap base fares, but travelers must pay separately for most extras. One Thrifty Traveler review notes the airline’s “tradeoff: Flyers can get low, low fares to many destinations… in exchange for higher fees for all the extras.
For example, seat assignments cost extra – typically $9–$13 for standard seats – and carry-on or checked baggage is never free (see below). Unlike some carriers, Sun Country also does not accept American Express on its website, so travelers must use another card.
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Base fares are often much lower than major airlines. One reported one-way fare was ~$89.
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Seat selection fees are modest (e.g., ~$9 for a middle seat, ~$13 for an aisle); otherwise, you’re randomly assigned a seat.
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Change fees can be avoided if you rebook early: Sun Country allows free changes made ≥60 days before departure (you only pay any fare difference).
Overall, ticket pricing is a strong positive in customer reviews – many note “very cheap” tickets for the route – but warn that the final cost can climb quickly after adding upgrades and bags.
Baggage Policy and Fees
Sun Country’s baggage rules are strict, with only one free personal item (under-seat bag); any larger carry-on or checked bag costs extra. In fact, one review calls Sun Country’s baggage policy “the most unreasonable I’ve ever encountered”. For a typical U.S. domestic round-trip, travelers report fees like these (one-way each way):
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Carry-on bags: ~$25–$40 if paid at booking, rising to $50 each way at check-in or $55 at the gate. (You must pre-pay to save: waiting until check-in doubles the price.)
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Checked bags: ~$30–$45 if added when booking, else $50–$55 each way later. A second checked bag is about $45–$65.
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Oversize/overweight: Additional surcharges can reach $20–$100 extra per bag (e.g. $60 more if a bag weighs 62+ lbs).
In short, “you can expect to pay a flat $50 fee each way to bring your carry-on bag” if you don’t pay at booking. Many customers lament these high baggage costs. For example, one passenger noted they paid a $55 carry-on fee and then never got their bag back – Sun Country lost it, offered only a refund of the fee, and provided no help retrieving the luggage. Such stories (“lost my bag” despite fees) are common in user reviews.
Booking & Check-In Experience
Sun Country’s booking process has improved but remains basic. Notably, the airline launched a smartphone app in May 2024, finally allowing check-in and boarding passes on mobile. This modernized tool makes it easier to manage reservations and add-ons.
The website and app are generally functional, but users note they lack some advanced features common to larger carriers. For example, Sun Country still uses a traditional site and simple seat map – you can buy upgrades or bid for better seats only after booking, via a system called “Bid for an Upgrade”.
A few tips gleaned from reviews: the cheapest seats are sold first, and add-ons (like the “change fee waiver” or rental cars) are aggressively upsold. Sun Country also participates in TSA PreCheck, so entering your Known Traveler Number expedites security.
On the downside, customer feedback points to occasional booking glitches: one traveler’s reservation was mysteriously changed a day early without notice, leaving them stranded at the airport with no flight. In general, Sun Country provides free changes up front if booked well in advance, but last-minute adjustments and refund policies can frustrate customers.
In-Flight Experience
Onboard, Sun Country feels more like a “middle-ground” low-cost carrier than the absolute cheapest option. Seating options: The airline offers three classes of coach seats. Standard seats have about 29″ pitch, which many reviewers find “tight but manageable”. You can pay extra for “Better” seats (a few more inches of legroom) or “Best” seats in front (adjustable headrest, 34″ pitch, and extra recline).
Exit rows even boast ~38″ of legroom on some planes. Importantly, all Sun Country seats recline (even if only 2″) and have noticeably thick padding. In practice, reviewers say the seats are surprisingly comfortable for a discount airline, with cushioning closer to mainstream carriers like Delta than the “plywood” feel of carriers like Spirit.
In-flight amenities: Unlike many low-cost airlines, Sun Country provides complimentary soft drinks on every flight (coffee, tea, juice, soda, etc.). (A ThriftyTraveler review emphasizes this: “Sun Country still provides complimentary drink service… with coffee, tea, juice, and soft drinks available to anyone”.) No free snacks are given, but a buy-on-board menu includes regional options (Minnesota-made beers, liquors, and snack packs). The prices are reasonable (e.g. $9 for a craft beer), and Best-seat passengers even get one free adult beverage with their upgrade.
Entertainment & power: There are no seatback screens. Sun Country uses a streaming system called AirFi, so you can watch movies/shows on your own device (for free).
However, note that Sun Country has no Wi-Fi service at all, so you can’t browse the web in flight. Battery power is sporadic: USB-A outlets are available in the Best seating rows, and only some planes have power ports elsewhere. Many customers suggest fully charging devices before flying.
Seat Comfort and Cabin
Overall cabin comfort rates are above other ultra-low-cost carriers. The interior is simple: six-abreast Boeing 737s with no first class or premium economy. But reviewers consistently say Sun Country’s slimline seats feel “more forgiving” and better-padded than the rigid chairs on Frontier or Spirit. In fact, one passenger summary put it this way: “legroom is tight but manageable, with far more comfortable and decently padded seats than its competitors sell at similar prices. The seat cushions and full-size tray tables (unlike Frontier’s small trays) contribute to an adequate comfort level.
Key cabin points from reviews:
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Legroom: 29″ on standard; 31″ effective due to slimline seats. Taller passengers say it’s okay for short flights.
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Recline: Every seat reclines (~2″), a feature that budget peers often omit.
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Extras: Every seat row has a mesh pocket for belongings and overhead bins for stowage. Notably, reviewers praise the headrests and power sockets in the “Best” seats at the front.
One reviewer concluded, “I’ve had worse seats flying with American Airlines” when describing Sun Country. In short, customers say that once aboard, the experience is closer to a standard carrier than an ultra-low-cost one.
Customer Service and Punctuality
Mixed service reviews: Sun Country’s customer support earns mostly low marks. Trustpilot (59 reviews) gives a TrustScore of only 1.5/5, with 82% one-star ratings. On social and review sites, stories of delays and unhelpful staff abound. For example, one recent reviewer described a canceled flight that left passengers on the tarmac for hours: “Sun Country was the worst airline we have ever flown with… DO NOT FLY WITH SUN COUNTRY!”. Another complained that booking a ticket and using the new app was impossible, and getting help by phone took forever.
However, it’s not all negative. Many official reviews note that flight attendants are generally friendly and that Sun Country actively emails or texts customers about schedule changes. The airline’s communications were praised by some as “quick” when delays occur. A distinguishing factor: because Sun Country flies popular routes multiple times per day (e.g., 3 flights MSP–PHX vs. Spirit’s 1), passengers often have backup options if their flight is disrupted.
Punctuality: On-time performance is a challenge. Data show only about 71% of Sun Country flights arrive on time, below the U.S. industry average (~77%). Customers frequently mention delays and cancellations in reviews. For example, one passenger reported their flight being delayed by 10 hours with no explanation. Another wrote about a canceled flight the day before departure; Sun Country rebooked them four days later (and offered only $25/day for hotel). The consensus: “frequent travel delays and gate changes can make Sun Country stressful” was a typical comment, while the ability to rebook on the next flight provides some cushion.
Sun Country customer experiences are thus polarized. Many satisfied travelers highlight comfortable seats and low fares, but an equal (or larger) number describe poor service when things go wrong. User reviews summed up: “Sun Country more than makes up for the slightly cheaper tickets with terrible performance and service”.
Bottom Line: Is Sun Country Airlines Good?
Sun Country delivers on its promise of cheap travel to leisure destinations, but it expects you to be a savvy, budget-minded flyer. In favorable Sun Country Airlines reviews 2024, customers praise the padded seats, free soft drinks, and the fact that you often save big compared to legacy carriers. Inside the plane, “the in-flight service with free drinks is much closer to Delta or American than to Spirit and Allegiant”, and the seat comfort is notably better than on many ultra-low-cost carriers.
On the flip side, nearly every review notes extra fees and the possibility of disruptions. Expect to pay for anything beyond a seat on the plane: baggage can almost double your fare, and other services (like seat selection or changes) cost extra. Reliability is a concern: Sun Country’s on-time rate is lower than average, and customer support is stretched thin. Many recent Sun Country customer experiences include complaints about flight cancellations, lost luggage, and difficult refund processes.
Who should fly Sun Country? Budget-conscious travelers flying to Sun Country’s seasonal sun destinations will often find unbeatable fares if they don’t mind a bare-bones experience. When the price is right, many reviewers say they’ll “gladly continue flying with Sun Country”. But if you need guaranteed on-time travel, free baggage, or premium amenities, Sun Country might not be the best choice. In short, is Sun Country Airlines good? It can be – for the right passenger. As one reviewer put it, “legroom is tight but manageable, with far more comfortable and decently padded seats than its competitors… and the in-flight service with free drinks is much closer to Delta or American”. The key is managing expectations: you get a low fare in exchange for a very no-frills journey.
