Sun Country adds 10 new routes, 8 of which will go head-to-head vs. Delta
Fast-growing budget carrier Sun Country Airlines remains in expansion mode, announcing 10 new summertime routes — including two to new international destinations — as it extended its booking schedule past Labor Day in 2024.
All of the new routes are seasonal and will be from Sun Country's main hub at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), where the Minnesota-based carrier has shown an increasing propensity to take on Delta Air Lines. Delta also operates a busy hub at MSP, often putting the two carriers into direct competition in the Twin Cities market.
Eight of Sun Country's 10 new routes will go head-to-head with Delta, even to smaller destinations like Billings, Montana, and Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for my free biweekly Aviation newsletter from TPG.
The only two new Sun Country routes that will avoid Delta are the airline's new flights from MSP to Oakland, California, and Syracuse, New York. Sun Country will be the only carrier flying nonstop on those routes.
The new international cities joining Sun Country's route map are Toronto and Montreal, which will be served with two flights a week from early June through late August. Sun Country will compete directly with both Air Canada and Delta on those routes.
Sun Country says the new routes will give it "nonstop service from MSP to 98 distinct markets in 2024."
It also comes as the carrier has been increasingly willing to take on Delta, which dominates passenger traffic at MSP, for leisure traffic.
A low-cost remake: Sun Country's CEO is building a 'civilized' budget carrier
"We're trying to turn Minneapolis into a two-airline market," CEO Jude Bricker said last year at the Skift Aviation Forum in Dallas. "If you pay with your own money, you fly with Sun Country. If you fly on a corporate contract, you fly Delta."
"Sun Country prides itself on being the leisure airline of choice for MSP customers," Grant Whitney, senior vice president and chief revenue officer for Sun Country, added in a statement detailing the new routes. "We have more than doubled our nonstop destinations for customers flying out of MSP in the last five years and we are thrilled to offer these unique new offerings spanning the continent from Quebec to New Mexico."
Sun Country is seeking to carve out a solid No. 2 position in the Twin Cities, where its leisure-oriented focus will make it a top choice for cost-conscious travelers. Sun County's effort goes beyond its inevitable competition with Delta. Back in 2021, Sun Country appeared to retaliate against low-cost rival Allegiant when the carrier tried to grow its footprint in MSP.
Budget carrier battle: Sun Country appears to retaliate against Allegiant
Elsewhere, Sun Country will tweak its service in Houston, switching its base there from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to the smaller William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). IAH is dominated by United Airlines, but Sun Country faces another dominant carrier at Hobby, where Southwest accounts for the vast majority of flights.
News of Sun Country's latest routes came as it extended its booking schedule through Sept. 10. A full list of the new routes is below.
Sun Country's new Canada routes
Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
- Service begins June 21 and runs through Aug. 26. There will be two weekly flights on Fridays and Mondays.
- Nonstop competition includes Air Canada and Delta Air Lines.
Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ)
- Service begins June 13 and runs through Aug. 25. There will be two weekly flights on Thursdays and Sundays.
- Nonstop competition includes Air Canada and Delta Air Lines.
Where to next? Exciting new airline routes from September 2023 and beyond
Sun Country's new US routes
Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) in New Mexico
- Service begins June 19 and runs through Aug. 21. There will be two weekly flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
- Nonstop competition includes Delta Air Lines.
Billings Logan International Airport (BIL) in Montana
- Service begins June 19 and runs through Aug. 28. There will be two weekly flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
- Nonstop competition includes Delta Air Lines.
Boise Airport (BOI)
- Service begins June 19 and runs through Aug. 21. There will be two weekly flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
- Nonstop competition includes Delta Air Lines.
Grand Rapids Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in Michigan
- Service begins June 13 and runs through Sept 1. There will be two weekly flights on Thursdays and Sundays.
- Nonstop competition includes Delta Air Lines.
Missoula Montana Airport (MSO)
- Service begins June 26 and runs through Aug. 24. There will be two weekly flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
- Nonstop competition includes Delta Air Lines.
Oakland International Airport (OAK) in California
- Service begins May 23 and runs through Sept 1. There will be two weekly flights on Thursdays and Sundays.
- There is no nonstop competition.
More: Sun Country Airlines stretched to 'seams' with rapid growth
Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) in New York
- Service begins June 6 and runs through Sept 1. There will be two weekly flights on Thursdays and Sundays.
- There is no nonstop competition.
Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, D.C.
- Service begins April 18. There will be two weekly flights on Thursdays and Sundays.
- Service increases to four flights per week on June 12 with the addition of flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
- Service ends Sept. 8.
- Nonstop competition includes Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.
Related reading:
- When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
- The best airline credit cards
- What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app