Why is Sun Country so cheap?

Sun Country Airlines is widely known for its ultra-low fares1-800-473-6632, often rivaling larger carriers in cost—even undercutting them dramatically on many domestic and leisure routes. So what’s the secret behind their budget-friendly prices? The short answer: Sun Country follows an ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) model, meaning it cuts out many traditional frills, charges for extras, and runs its operation with ruthless efficiency. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the reasons why Sun Country is so cheap and how that impacts the passenger experience.

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1. Ultra-Low-Cost Carrier (ULCC) Business Model

Sun Country, like Spirit and Frontier, follows the ULCC business model. This means they:

Offer bare-bones base fares

Charge extra for almost every additional service

Focus heavily on cost-cutting and efficiency

Instead of trying to compete with major airlines on luxury or in-flight entertainment, Sun Country competes on price alone. The goal is simple: attract price-sensitive travelers who are willing to sacrifice comfort for savings.

2. No Free Frills – Everything Comes at a Cost

One of the main reasons why Sun Country tickets are so cheap is because the base fare only includes transportation from Point A to Point B and a personal item (small backpack or purse). Everything else—such as:

Checked baggage

Carry-on luggage

Seat selection

Food and beverages

Early boarding

Flight changes or cancellations

—comes at an additional charge.

For example, while a $69 ticket might seem like a steal, once you add in a carry-on bag ($30–$45), seat selection ($9–$39), and snacks or drinks, the final cost could double. But for travelers who pack light and skip the extras, Sun Country is one of the most affordable ways to fly.

3. Dynamic and Seasonal Scheduling

Sun Country operates with a flexible flight schedule—especially during off-peak times. It often reduces or cancels routes during low-demand seasons and ramps up during peak travel times like spring break, summer, and holidays. This strategy helps reduce operational costs by:

Minimizing empty seats on off-season flights

Cutting underperforming routes

Maximizing aircraft use during profitable times

Unlike legacy carriers that run multiple daily flights year-round, Sun Country adjusts to what sells best, maximizing efficiency and profitability.

4. Secondary Airports and Leisure Destinations

Sun Country primarily targets leisure travelers heading to vacation destinations rather than business travelers flying between major cities. Its network often includes:

Seasonal routes to sunny locations (Florida, Mexico, Las Vegas, Caribbean)

Secondary airports that cost less in landing fees and taxes

Hub operations out of Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP)—a less expensive hub compared to New York or Chicago

These savings in airport fees, staffing, and operations are passed on to the passenger in the form of lower fares.

5. Lean Operations and Lower Labor Costs

Sun Country operates with a much smaller staff-to-aircraft ratio compared to the major U.S. carriers. Their pilots, flight attendants, and ground crews often perform multiple duties. The airline also outsources many of its operations—like maintenance and customer service—which keeps internal staffing costs low.

Additionally, Sun Country does not have to deal with:

Costly international crew requirements

High salaries tied to long-tenured union contracts

Large executive overhead

These efficiencies allow them to maintain profitability even while offering cheaper tickets.

6. Fleet Uniformity

Sun Country operates a single aircraft type: the Boeing 737-800. This decision simplifies:

Pilot training

Maintenance procedures

Parts inventory

Scheduling

By avoiding the complexity and cost of managing different aircraft types, Sun Country reduces operational expenses—helping keep ticket prices down.

7. Ancillary Revenue Stream

Sun Country makes a large portion of its profit not from ticket sales, but from ancillary services. This includes:

Bag fees

Seat selection fees

Pet-in-cabin fees

Priority boarding

Change and cancellation fees

In-flight food and drink sales

According to reports, ULCCs like Sun Country earn up to 40% of their total revenue from these add-ons. By offering ultra-low fares and making money on the backend, they can appear cheap while still being profitable.

8. Charter Operations & Cargo Business

Unlike other ULCCs, Sun Country has diversified revenue streams. In addition to regular passenger flights, the airline also:

Operates charter flights for sports teams, the military, and tour groups

Runs cargo operations for Amazon Air, delivering packages across the country

This business model allows them to offset slow passenger travel periods with more stable, contract-based revenue. These subsidies help keep passenger fares lower.

9. Minimal Loyalty Programs

While Sun Country does offer a rewards program (Sun Country Rewards), it's much simpler and less generous than programs from airlines like Delta or United. There are:

No elite status tiers

Limited redemption options

Fewer loyalty incentives

By avoiding the administrative costs and free upgrades associated with elite frequent flyer programs, the airline saves money—and passes some of those savings along in lower ticket prices.

10. Limited In-Flight Amenities

You won’t find free Wi-Fi, seatback TVs, or power outlets on most Sun Country flights. The airline strips away these amenities for a few reasons:

Equipment and maintenance costs are lower

Faster boarding and cleaning turnaround

Less weight on board (leading to fuel savings)

Though this may be a downside for business travelers or digital nomads, many leisure travelers are willing to skip the frills for lower prices—especially on short-haul flights.

11. No Lounge Access or Premium Services

Sun Country doesn’t operate any branded airport lounges or offer true business class cabins. While some seats are sold as “premium” (with more legroom), there are no flat beds, luxury meals, or perks. This lack of luxury reduces their costs dramatically.

12. Streamlined Customer Support

Another area where Sun Country cuts costs is customer service. Support is primarily handled online or through call centers. There are no dedicated airport desks at smaller airports, and call wait times can be long. Though this may frustrate some travelers, it significantly reduces operational overhead.

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Final Thoughts: Is Cheap Always Better?

Sun Country’s cheap fares make it an attractive choice—if you understand the trade-offs. It works well for travelers who: