Sun Country Airlines

Sun Country Airlines is an ultra-low cost airline in the United States. Based at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport with headquarters on airport property, Sun Country operates to about 140 destinations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. The airline also has significant charter operations and is a contract cargo operator for Amazon Air.<ref name="AmazonAir" />

History

File:Sun Country Airlines Logo 1998.svg

One version of Sun Country's early logo.

File:12ce - Sun Country Airlines DC-10-15; N153SY@MIA;31.01.1998 (5198220700).jpg

A Sun Country McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10 at Miami International Airport in 1998.

Early years and bankruptcies (1983–2008)

Sun Country was incorporated on July 2, 1982.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It received its certificate of public necessity and convenience from the Civil Aeronautics Board on January 17, 1983.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The company began offering charter service and the first revenue flight was on January 20, 1983, from Sioux Falls to Las Vegas, using a Boeing 727 aircraft leased from Air Florida.<ref>12 pilots grounded by Braniff shutdown start own airline, Sioux Falls (SD) Argus-Leader, 20 January 1983</ref><ref>Ex-Braniff crew part of new charter airline, Minneapolis Star Tribune, 13 January 1983</ref> The airline's original staff consisted of 16 pilots, 16 flight attendants, three mechanics, and one office person. Several of the original employees previously worked for Braniff International Airways, which ceased operations on May 12, 1982.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":1">Template:Cite news</ref> The company's founder and first President/CEO was Captain Jim Olsen, who also acted as Chief Pilot. His wife, Joan Smith-Olsen, acted as Chief Flight Attendant and Head of Inflight Operations.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 1988, its headquarters were on the grounds of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport.<ref>"World Airline Directory." Flight International. March 26, 1988. 117.</ref> In 1995, Sun Country began offering scheduled flights from Minneapolis to several major cities. In 2001, the company suspended operations due to financial troubles.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2006, the airline was acquired by Petters Group Worldwide and Whitebox Advisors.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>

Following the replacement of interim CEO Jay Salmen by Stan Gadek, former CFO of AirTran Airways, Sun Country was nearly finished by the major recession of 2008 and the revelation that Petters Group Worldwide was operating a $3.25 billion Ponzi scheme.<ref name="fraud">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The airline furloughed 45 of its 156 pilots and scaled back its summer schedule due to rising fuel costs. Sun Country indicated it had hoped to get up to $50 million in loans or other financial help from the state of Minnesota and the airports commission.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In September 2008 the carrier reduced, and in some cases eliminated, flights to San Francisco and Los Angeles. It also began charging for the first checked bag.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At the end of September, Gadek called for a 50% pay deferral to all remaining employees. Tom Petters resigned after an FBI probe discovered that the airline had suffered financial fraud on a massive scale.<ref name="fraud" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The airline filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time on October 6, 2008.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Rebuilding and Davis brothers ownership (2011–2017)

In July 2011, Sun Country was bought out of bankruptcy for $34 million by the Davis family, owners of Cambria, a Minnesota-based countertop company.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Cambria CEO Marty Davis became chairman.

In 2015, the Sun Country board hired Zarir Erani as president and CEO.<ref name=Erani>Template:Cite news</ref> The airline had a net income of $27 million in 2015, followed by a 41% drop to $16 million in 2016.<ref name=Erani />

In July 2017, after more than a year of missed monthly earnings projections, Davis replaced Erani as interim President and CEO, with Erani moving to other duties within the Davis family of companies.<ref name=Erani /> Jude Bricker, previously of Allegiant Air, was appointed as CEO one week after Erani stepped down.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> As part of its strategy, Sun Country had begun to move toward being a "no-frills" airline.<ref name="Apollo">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Apollo Global Management ownership (2017–2025)

On December 14, 2017, the Davis brothers announced they would sell the airline to funds affiliated with New York Based Apollo Global Management for an undisclosed amount.<ref name="Apollo Release">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On December 17, 2019, Amazon Air bought a minority stake in Sun Country from Apollo, with plans for the airline to operate cargo flights under the Amazon Air brand.<ref name="AmazonAir">Template:Cite news</ref> As Sun Country's passenger model is heavily leisure-focused, this deal is designed to help stabilize revenues during non-peak seasons. In December 2019 Sun Country announced it would begin operating cargo flights for Amazon. Sun Country initially operated ten cargo jets for Amazon Air.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The airline operated its first cargo flight for Amazon in May 2020.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On March 17, 2021, Sun Country became publicly listed and traded on the NASDAQ under the ticker SNCY.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

As of June 2024, Sun Country's cargo fleet operated under contract with Amazon Air had grown to 12 airframes. On June 20, 2024, Sun Country and Amazon Air announced an extension of their contract to 2030. Under this new contract, Amazon Air will transfer an additional eight 737-800BCF aircraft to Sun Country, increasing the airline's cargo fleet to 20 airframes.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Early 2025, Apollo Global Management sells remaining stock in Sun Country and exits the airline.

Corporate affairs

Business trends

Recent key figures for Sun Country Airlines Holdings, Inc. (which include the passenger operations of Sun Country Airlines and its cargo business for Amazon Air) are (years ending December 31):

	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018		2019	2020	2021	2022
Revenue ($m)	202	239	308	361	410			518	560	197	385	701	401	623	894
Net profit after tax ($m)	1	11	4	15	2	2	27	16	28	25.9	Template:Ifsubst style="color:red">−0.4	46	Template:Ifsubst style="color:red">−3.9	81.2	17.7
Number of employees (at year end)						1,312			1,889	1,549		1,532	1,699	2,181	2,510
Number of passengers (m)						1.6	1.9	1.8	2.5	2.6		3.6	1.7	2.7	3.6
Passenger load factor (%)		70				72.6	80.2	78.5	80.4	82.4		82.5	64.9	74.7	83.5
Number of aircraft (at year end)						19			26	30		31	43	48	54
Notes/sources	<ref name="clear" />	<ref name="clear" /><ref name="ranking2018">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	<ref name="clear" />	<ref name="clear" />	<ref name="clear" />	<ref name="BTS" /><ref name="DoT">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="clear">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	<ref name=Erani /><ref name="BTS" /><ref name="DoT" />	<ref name=Erani /><ref name="BTS">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="radar">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="IPO2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	<ref name="Prospectus" />	Template:Efn<ref name="Prospectus" />		<ref name="Prospectus" />	Template:Efn<ref name="Prospectus">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	<ref name=":0" />
Template:Notelist

Services

Sun Country previously offered two classes of service with First Class and Economy seats, but when the airline was sold to Apollo Global Management, it became an ultra-low-cost carrier with aircraft operated in an all-economy configuration. Sun Country now offers three variations of economy seats: Best, Exit Row, and Standard.<ref>The Sun Country Airlines Baggage Rules, Retrieved August 13, 2021</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Sun Country Rewards, the airline's frequent-flyer program, was established in 2018, replacing an older program called Ufly.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2023, Sun Country was named the best low-cost carrier in North America at the Paris Airshow's World Airline Rankings.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Destinations

citation

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Rank	Airport	Passengers	Market share (%)
1	Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota	1,425,100	10.11%
2	Las Vegas, Nevada	172,180	0.73%
3	Fort Myers, Florida	154,740	2.98%
4	Orlando, Florida	143,120	0.66%
5	Phoenix, Arizona	138,130	0.64%
	Other markets	999,460	0.13%

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:As of, Sun Country Airlines flies to 81 destinations and operates more than 100 routes throughout the Caribbean, United States, Canada, Mexico and Central America.<ref name="SunCountryDest">Sun Country Airlines | Destinations, suncountry.com</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Many Sun Country destinations are seasonally served as demand grows and falls throughout the year.

The airline additionally provides charter service for the United States Armed Forces<ref name="history fundinguniverse">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and NCAA football teams.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The airline has provided charter service to Major League Soccer teams since 2020 and became the league's official carrier in 2022.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Sun Country has a number of casino charter contracts.

Interline agreements

Sun Country also has interline agreements with the following airlines:<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• China Airlines
• Condor
• Emirates
• EVA Air
• Hawaiian Airlines
• Icelandair

Fleet

Current fleet

File:Sun Country Airlines B737-800.jpg

Sun Country Boeing 737-800 wearing the newest livery

File:Amazon Prime Air (Sun Country Airlines) Boeing 737-84P(BCF) N7901A approaching JFK Airport.jpg

Sun Country Boeing 737-800BCF operated for Amazon Air, with Sun Country titles behind the cockpit windows

Template:As of, Sun Country Airlines operates an all-Boeing 737 Next Generation fleet composed of the following aircraft:

Sun Country Airlines fleetTemplate:Cn

Aircraft	In service	On order	Passengers				Notes
			F	Y+	Y	Total
Passenger fleet
Boeing 737-800	43	—	–	30	156	186
	1	—	76	–	–	76	VIP charter configuration.
Boeing 737-900ER	1	4	TBA				First aircraft was delivered second-hand from Oman Air in 2024.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>
Template:AnchorCargo fleet
Boeing 737-800BCF	15	5	Template:Abbr				Aircraft operated for Amazon Air.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Total	60	9

Historical fleet

citation

CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Aircraft	Total	Introduced	Retired	Notes
Boeing 727-200	42	1983	2002
Boeing 737-700	9	2008	2023
McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10	6	1993	1998
McDonnell Douglas DC-10-15	4	1994	2001
McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30F	2	1995	1997	Leased from Gemini Air Cargo.
McDonnell Douglas DC-10-40	1	1986	1991	Transferred to Northwest Airlines.

See also

• Air transportation in the United States

External links

• Template:Official website