Weeks after taking the airline public in a successful initial public offering (IPO), Minnesota-based low-cost carrier Sun Country Airlines announced a major expansion Tuesday with a slew of new routes with new winter flights from its Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) hub to destinations like Turks & Caicos (PLS) and Grand Cayman (GCM) and brand new service to other Midwestern cities.
The list of Sun Country's 18 new routes gets to the core of why the tiny carrier went public during the midst of a pandemic: The airline wants to grow as travel picks back up, with more flights to carry winter-weary travelers and expand into underserved cities with little to no competition. Investors responded, sending shares soaring on the Nasdaq index on opening day in March.
In addition to new routes from Minneapolis to beach and sun destinations next winter, Sun Country is building roots in smaller cities across the Midwest. This summer, it will launch its first flights from Milwaukee (MKE). By winter, Sun Country plans to fly to Duluth (DLH), Rochester (RST), Green Bay (GRB), and Madison (MSN). Keep reading for a full list of all the new routes!
The airline already serves Duluth and Rochester, Minnesota – but that's with a novel shuttle service called Landline, which connects travelers to and from Minneapolis airport by land. Come this winter, both cities will have nonstop Sun Country flights.
“With more and more people excited to resume traveling, we’re thrilled to be able to offer them the opportunity to visit these incredible vacation destinations this winter,” Sun Country's Chief Revenue Officer Grant Whitney said in a statement. “We’re really proud to bring our brand of convenient, affordable travel to more cities in the Upper Midwest.”
Take a look at Sun Country's new, slimmer seats – and see what it's like to fly Sun Country during the pandemic!
Here's a look at all of Sun Country's new routes announced Tuesday.
New Flights from Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP)
Sun Country announced six new flights from its Minneapolis hub. One route, to Bozeman (BZN), is an extension of its previously operated service.
- Phoenix-Mesa (AZA): Four flights a week to the southeastern Phoenix area airport on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays starting Nov. 24, 2021
- Bozeman (BZN): Two flights a week on Thursdays and Sundays starting Dec. 16, 2021.
- Punta Gorda (PGD): Two flights a week on Mondays and Fridays starting Dec. 10, 2021.
- St. Pete-Clearwater (PIE): Four flights a week on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays starting Nov. 25, 2021.
- Grand Cayman (GCM): One flight a week on Saturdays starting Dec. 18, 2021.
- Turks and Caicos (PLS): One flight a week on Saturdays starting Dec. 18, 2021.
Sun Country Flights from Duluth (DLH)
- Fort Myers (RSW): Two flights a week on Mondays and Fridays starting Dec. 17, 2021.
- Phoenix (PHX): Two flights a week on Mondays and Fridays starting Dec. 17, 2021.
Sun Country Flights From Green Bay (GRB)
- Fort Myers (RSW): Two flights a week on Thursdays and Sundays starting Dec. 16, 2021.
- Phoenix (PHX): Two flights a week on Mondays and Fridays starting Dec. 17, 2021.
Sun Country Flights from Madison (MSN)
- Phoenix (PHX): Two flights a week on Thursdays and Sundays starting Dec. 16, 2021.
Sun Country Flights from Milwaukee (MKE)
- Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP): Two flights a week on Thursdays and Sundays starting Aug. 26, 2021.
- Las Vegas (LAS): Two flights a week on Thursdays and Sundays starting Aug. 26, 2021.
- Cancún (CUN): One flight a week on Saturdays starting Dec. 18, 2021.
- Fort Myers (RSW): Two flights a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays starting Dec. 15, 2021.
- Phoenix (PHX): Two flights a week on Thursdays and Sundays starting Dec. 16, 2021.
Sun Country Flights from Rochester (RST)
- Fort Myers (RSW): Two flights a week on Thursdays and Sundays starting Feb. 3, 2022.
- Phoenix (PHX): Two flights a week on Mondays and Fridays starting Feb. 4, 2022.
Bottom Line
Sun Country is expanding. And not just with more flights to and from its Minneapolis hub, but into smaller airports around the upper Midwest.
Very interested in these flights from MSP:
Punta Gorda (PGD): Two flights a week on Mondays and Fridays starting Dec. 10, 2021.
St. Pete-Clearwater (PIE): Four flights a week on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays starting Nov. 25, 2021.
A very clear focus on warm weather destinations. I did not even know that the Punta Gorda airport existed so close to Fort Myers. Should keep more pressure on Delta to offer decent flight prices to Florida from MSP.