Based at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) in Minnesota, Sun Country Airlines is an American low-cost carrier that also carries freight for Amazon.

Founded in January 1983 with a bunch of former Braniff International pilots and staff, Sun Country Airlines started operations with a single Boeing 727-200.

Knowing there was a gap in the leisure market following the demise of Braniff in 1982, the aptly named Sun Country Airlines teamed up with MLT Vacations to offer charter and leisure flights from Minneapolis. In 1986 Sun Country expanded leasing a Douglas DC-10 from Northwest Airlines and used the plane for flights between Minneapolis and the popular gambling destination of Las Vegas, Nevada. Now growing further, Sun Country acquired a second Boeing 727 to fly Minneapolis-based sports teams around the country.

Sun Country Douglas DC-10
Photo: Sun Country

Sun Country began offering scheduled passenger flights

In the early 1990s, Sun Country was sold to the Mark Travel Group and, to remain competitive, began offering regularly scheduled passenger flights. Destinations from Minneapolis/ St. Paul included:

  • Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
  • Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
  • Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
  • Washington National Airport (DCA)
Sun-Country-Livery_01-1500x844
Photo; Sun Country

At the same time as it was expanding its list of destinations within the United States, Sun Country also increased its number of seasonal flights to Florida, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Now looking to modernize its fleet, Sun Country placed an order with Boeing for some 737NG aircraft.

Competition from Northwest and 9/11 forced Sun Country to suspend flights

Fiercely competing with Northwest Airlines for its share in the upper Midwest market, Sun Country was forced to suspend operations following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001. Gradually, Sun Country restarted flights and began seasonal charters to California, Nevada, Florida, and Mexico. In 2006 the airline was sold to the Petters Group Worldwide, and despite a promising start, it got into trouble again in 2008, facing higher fuel costs and the housing market's collapse.

In 2008 Sun Country filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after the FBI discovered that its owner Tom Petters had taken part in a massive financial fraud. Sun Country Airlines emerged from Chapter 11 protection in 2009 with a fleet of 14 Boeing 737-700 and 737-800 aircraft.

Sun Country makes its money during the cold Minnesota winter

Throughout its history, Sun Country has focused on offering flights during the winter from the frozen north to sunny destinations. To take advantage of increased demand, it has a deal with Transavia Netherlands. During the winter, Transavia sends planes to Minnesota, and Sun Country sends some of its aircraft to Amsterdam in the summer.

Currently, according to the aviation data and statistics website ch-aviation, Sun County's fleet is made up of the following aircraft:

  • 1 x Boeing 737-700
  • 41 x Boeing 737-800s
  • 12 x Boeing 737-800BCFs

In December 2019, Amazon bought a minority stake in the airline with plans for some of Sun Country's planes to be repainted in Amazon Air livery. Sun Country's business model has always been heavily focused on flights to winter leisure destinations. The deal with Amazon was intended to help stabilize revenue during the off-season.

Sun Country operated its first cargo flight for Amazon Air in May 2020. On March 21, 2021, Sun Country became a publicly listed company on the NASDAQ and trades under the symbol SNCY.

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