Sun Country Airlines
An American ultra-low-cost airline providing scheduled passenger, charter, and cargo services.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Sun Country Airlines is an American ultra-low-cost carrier headquartered at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport in Minnesota. Its principal business is scheduled passenger service, supported by charter flying and contracted cargo operations for Amazon Air. The airline serves leisure-oriented routes linking the Upper Midwest and other parts of the United States with destinations in Canada, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Many routes are seasonal, reflecting holiday, winter, and leisure demand rather than a uniform year-round network. The company was incorporated in 1982 and began revenue operations in January 1983 as a charter airline using a leased Boeing 727. Its early workforce included pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, and administrative staff, with several employees having previously worked for Braniff International Airways. Jim Olsen was an early founder and executive leader, while Joan Smith-Olsen directed inflight operations. Sun Country established its headquarters at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport and added scheduled passenger flights in 1995. The airline experienced two major bankruptcy periods. It suspended operations in 2001 after financial difficulties and was later acquired out of bankruptcy by Petters Group Worldwide and Whitebox Advisors in 2006. The collapse of Petters Group, whose owner was later associated with a large fraud scheme, combined with high fuel costs and the broader economic downturn to create renewed pressure. Sun Country entered Chapter 11 protection again in October 2008. The Davis family, owners of Cambria, acquired the airline in 2011 and supported its subsequent rebuilding. In 2017, former Allegiant executive Jude Bricker became chief executive. Under his leadership, Sun Country moved from a more traditional leisure airline model toward an ultra-low-cost structure, emphasizing an all-economy aircraft layout, ancillary charges, disciplined capacity growth, and point-to-point flying. The company was acquired by investment funds affiliated with Apollo Global Management in December 2017 and later entered the public markets, listing on Nasdaq under SNCY in March 2021. Sun Country expanded beyond passenger aviation through a strategic relationship with Amazon. Amazon acquired a minority interest in 2019, and Sun Country began operating cargo aircraft for Amazon Air in 2020. By 2024, its contracted cargo fleet had reached 12 aircraft; an agreement extending the relationship through 2030 provided for eight additional Boeing 737-800BCF aircraft, potentially bringing the cargo fleet to 20 aircraft. The airline also operates military, collegiate sports, professional sports, and casino-related charters. It became an official carrier of Major League Soccer in 2022 after providing team charter service since 2020. Allegiant Travel Company announced an agreement to acquire Sun Country in January 2026. The transaction was approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation and by the shareholders of both companies before closing on May 13, 2026. The planned combination places Sun Country operations, employees, aircraft, routes, charter activity, debt obligations, and cargo contracts within the Allegiant group. Sun Country and Allegiant Air were expected to continue operating separately while working toward a single operating certificate, with a significant operating presence retained in Minneapolis–Saint Paul.
History
Sun Country Airlines was incorporated on July 2, 1982, and received federal authorization to operate in January 1983. Its first revenue flight took place on January 20, 1983, between Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Las Vegas, using a Boeing 727 leased from Air Florida. The original operation was small, with 16 pilots, 16 flight attendants, three mechanics, and one office employee. Jim Olsen served as founder and as the airline's president, chief executive, and chief pilot; his wife, Joan Smith-Olsen, led inflight operations. Several early employees had worked for Braniff International Airways, which had ceased operations shortly before Sun Country began flying. By 1988 the airline was headquartered at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. It initially concentrated on charter flying, particularly leisure travel, before adding scheduled passenger operations in 1995. Financial problems eventually forced Sun Country to suspend operations in 2001. The carrier was acquired out of bankruptcy in 2006 by Petters Group Worldwide and Whitebox Advisors, and Stan Gadek, formerly associated with AirTran Airways, became chief executive. The second ownership period was difficult. Fuel prices rose sharply, the economy weakened, and Petters Group became the subject of an FBI investigation into a multibillion-dollar fraud scheme. In 2008 Sun Country furloughed pilots, reduced its seasonal schedule, cut some West Coast service, and introduced checked-baggage fees. Later that year, management sought substantial pay deferrals from employees. Petters Group founder Tom Petters resigned in September 2008, and Sun Country filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on October 6 of that year. The Davis family, owners of the Cambria hospitality company, purchased Sun Country out of bankruptcy in July 2011 for $34 million. Marty Davis became chairman. Zarir Erani was appointed president and chief executive in 2015, but was replaced in July 2017 after a period in which the airline repeatedly missed earnings expectations. His successor, Jude Bricker, had previously been an executive at Allegiant Air. Bricker led a strategic change toward an ultra-low-cost-carrier model, with simplified all-economy aircraft, unbundled services, ancillary fees, and a stronger focus on leisure and point-to-point markets. Apollo Global Management-affiliated funds acquired Sun Country in December 2017. During Apollo ownership, the airline introduced Sun Country Rewards in 2018, replacing the earlier Ufly program, and developed a separate cargo business. Amazon purchased a minority stake in 2019 and selected Sun Country to operate aircraft for Amazon Air. The first cargo flight took place in May 2020. The cargo relationship expanded during the following years, while the airline also maintained scheduled passenger service and charter contracts for the U.S. armed forces, college football teams, professional sports organizations, and casinos. Sun Country completed its transition to public ownership on March 17, 2021, when its shares began trading on Nasdaq under SNCY. Apollo later sold its remaining shares through a secondary offering in February 2025. A later agreement with Amazon extended cargo operations through 2030 and contemplated the addition of eight Boeing 737-800BCF aircraft. In January 2026, Allegiant Travel Company announced an agreement to acquire Sun Country for approximately $1.5 billion. The deal received U.S. Department of Transportation approval in April and shareholder approval in May before closing on May 13, 2026. The combined enterprise was planned to operate under the Allegiant brand, although Sun Country and Allegiant Air were to remain separate operationally while seeking a single operating certificate. Sun Country's chief executive Jude Bricker and chairwoman Jennifer Vogel joined the combined company's board, and Minneapolis–Saint Paul remained an important operating location.
- 2026
Allegiant acquisition closes
[1]Allegiant Travel Company completed its acquisition of Sun Country on May 13, with integration planned over time.
- 2025
Apollo exits
[1]Apollo Global Management sold its remaining Sun Country shares through a secondary public offering.
- 2022
Major League Soccer carrier partnership
[1]Sun Country became an official carrier of Major League Soccer after beginning league team charter work in 2020.
- 2021
Nasdaq listing
[1]Sun Country became publicly traded on Nasdaq under SNCY on March 17.
- 2020
Amazon Air cargo launch
[1]Sun Country began its Amazon Air cargo operation in May.
- 2019
Amazon investment and cargo agreement
[1]Amazon acquired a minority stake and arranged for Sun Country to operate cargo flights for Amazon Air.
- 2018
Sun Country Rewards introduced
[1]The airline launched Sun Country Rewards as the successor to its Ufly frequent-flyer program.
- 2017
Ultra-low-cost transformation
[1]Jude Bricker became chief executive and began repositioning Sun Country toward an ultra-low-cost business model.
- 2017
Apollo acquisition
[1]Funds affiliated with Apollo Global Management acquired the airline in December.
- 2011
Davis family acquisition
[1]The Davis family acquired Sun Country out of bankruptcy for $34 million.
Products and positioning
Ultra-low-cost, leisure-oriented airline with scheduled passenger, charter, and contracted cargo operations.
Passenger aviation · 1995
Scheduled passenger service
Sun Country's core passenger business provides scheduled, primarily leisure-oriented flights from its Minneapolis–Saint Paul base and other U.S. markets to destinations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Routes are often seasonal and are sold using an ultra-low-cost structure in which the base fare is separated from selected services and seating options.
Charter aviation · 1983
Charter services
The airline operates charter flights for the U.S. armed forces, NCAA football teams, professional sports organizations, Major League Soccer teams, casinos, and other contracted customers. Charter activity preserves an important part of the company's original business model and helps diversify revenue beyond scheduled leisure routes.
Air cargo · 2020
Amazon Air cargo operations
Sun Country operates Boeing 737 freighter aircraft for Amazon Air under a long-term contract. The cargo operation began in 2020 after Amazon acquired a minority stake in the airline. An agreement extending the relationship through 2030 provided for additional Boeing 737-800BCF aircraft, expanding the potential cargo fleet to 20 aircraft.
Frequent-flyer program · 2018
Sun Country Rewards
Sun Country Rewards is the airline's loyalty program, introduced in 2018 to replace the earlier Ufly program. It supports repeat travel and customer engagement across the scheduled passenger business.
Passenger ancillary service · 2017
Economy seating options
Following the move to an ultra-low-cost model, Sun Country shifted its aircraft to all-economy configurations and organized seating into three principal categories: Best, Exit Row, and Standard. The structure allows customers to select different levels of seat location and associated value while preserving a simplified cabin product.
Controversies
2008
Petters Group fraud crisis and Sun Country bankruptcy
Sun Country's owner, Petters Group Worldwide, became embroiled in an FBI investigation into a reported multibillion-dollar fraud scheme. The ownership crisis coincided with high fuel prices and economic weakness, and Sun Country filed for Chapter 11 protection in October 2008.
Marketing campaigns
- 2023World Airline Rankings recognition
North America
Sun Country was recognized as the best low-cost carrier in North America at the World Airline Rankings associated with the Paris Airshow.
Outcome. The recognition supported the brand's positioning as a competitive low-cost leisure carrier.
- 2022Major League Soccer official carrier partnership
United States
Sun Country formalized its relationship with Major League Soccer as an official carrier after operating charter flights for MLS teams since 2020. The partnership aligned the airline with sports travel and highlighted its charter capabilities.
Outcome. The airline gained an official sports partnership and continued to support team transportation.
Brand decisions
2026
Acquisition by Allegiant Travel CompanyM&ABackground
Allegiant sought to combine two leisure-focused U.S. airlines and acquire Sun Country's passenger, charter, cargo, aircraft, employee, and route operations.
Action taken
Allegiant agreed to acquire Sun Country for approximately $1.5 billion. The transaction closed on May 13, 2026, with integration toward the Allegiant brand and a single operating certificate planned over time.
Aftermath
Sun Country and Allegiant Air continued to operate separately during the integration process, while Sun Country's chief executive and chairwoman joined the combined company's board.
Transaction value. approximately $1.5 billion (Announced January 2026; closed May 13, 2026)
2021
Public listing on NasdaqOtherBackground
After private ownership under Apollo Global Management, Sun Country pursued access to public equity markets.
Action taken
The airline listed its shares on Nasdaq under the ticker SNCY on March 17, 2021.
Aftermath
Sun Country became a publicly traded airline while retaining Apollo as a significant shareholder until its later secondary offering.
2019
Diversify into contracted cargoStrategyBackground
Sun Country sought an additional revenue stream beyond seasonal passenger and charter markets.
Action taken
The airline accepted a minority investment from Amazon and agreed to operate cargo aircraft for Amazon Air.
Aftermath
Cargo flying began in 2020 and later expanded through an agreement running through 2030.
2017
Adopt an ultra-low-cost-carrier modelStrategyBackground
After a change in chief executive, Sun Country sought to improve profitability and reduce exposure to the volatility of traditional network-style airline operations.
Action taken
Under Jude Bricker, the airline moved toward all-economy aircraft, unbundled pricing, ancillary fees, and a more focused leisure network.
Aftermath
The strategy became the foundation for the company's later public-market and cargo expansion.
2008
Reduce capacity and add checked-baggage feesStrategyBackground
High fuel costs and weakening demand placed pressure on the airline's finances.
Action taken
Sun Country furloughed pilots, reduced its seasonal schedule, cut some San Francisco and Los Angeles service, and introduced checked-baggage charges.
Aftermath
The measures were followed by further financial stress and a Chapter 11 filing later that year.
Recent events
- 2026
Allegiant Travel Company agrees to acquire Sun Country[1]
M&A
Allegiant announced an agreement to acquire Sun Country and combine the businesses under the Allegiant brand while retaining a major Minneapolis–Saint Paul presence.
- 2026
Sun Country acquisition closes[1]
M&A · Leadership change
The Allegiant transaction closed after regulatory and shareholder approvals; the two airlines continued separately while pursuing a single operating certificate.
- 2022
Sun Country becomes an official Major League Soccer carrier[1]
Campaign · Other
Following team charter work beginning in 2020, Sun Country became an official carrier of Major League Soccer.
- 2021
Sun Country begins Nasdaq trading[1]
Other
The airline became publicly traded on Nasdaq under the ticker SNCY.
- 2020
Sun Country launches Amazon Air cargo operations[1]
Product launch
Sun Country began operating cargo aircraft for Amazon Air, adding a major business line alongside passenger and charter flying.
- 2019
Amazon Air takes a minority stake in Sun Country[1]
M&A · Other
Amazon acquired a minority interest and announced that Sun Country would operate cargo flights on its behalf.
Sources5 sources
- 1Sun Country Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
- 2Sun Country Airlines official websitesuncountry.com
- 3Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa Launches "MGM Direct To Borgata" Air Service From Up To 75 Departure Cities Into Atlantic Cityprnewswire.com
- 4Sun Country Airlines files for IPOflightglobal.com
- 5Tiny Sun Country Airlines' 'genius' decision to fly for Amazon couldn't save it from pandemic-related job cutsyahoo.com
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