Sun Country Airlines Bag Policy

So, you’ve booked a flight on Sun Country Airlines. Congratulations! You’re probably daydreaming about that beach, or that mountain trail, or that questionable all-you-can-eat buffet in Minneapolis. But then, reality hits: the bag policy. It’s the part of travel that feels like negotiating with a grumpy troll who lives under a bridge made of carry-on fees.

Let’s be real—Sun Country is the quirky, affordable cousin of the airline world. They’ll get you there cheap, but they have opinions about your luggage. It’s not a bad policy, really. It’s just… specific. Like a recipe that insists on using only one specific brand of mayonnaise.

The Freebie: Your Personal Item

First, the good news. You can bring one personal item for free. Yes, free. As in, zero dollars. As in, the airline is not currently trying to separate you from your wallet with a tiny crowbar.

What counts as a personal item? Sun Country says it must fit under the seat in front of you. Think: a small backpack, a purse, a diaper bag, or that “emotional support” bag of cheese curds you bought at the airport. The limit is 7 x 15 x 18 inches. That’s about the size of a very confident loaf of bread.

Here’s a surprising fact: If you can look at your bag and convincingly argue it’s a “purse,” you might get away with bringing a small horse. Do not try this. The gate agents have seen it all, and they are not amused by equine transportation.

The Carry-On: A Drama in One Act

Now, for the real star of the show: the carry-on bag. On Sun Country, it is not included in your base fare. Let that sink in. You pay for the seat, but the overhead bin is a VIP lounge that charges cover.

Sun country delayed flight policy photos - Lontgrouptravel.com

You have to pay for a carry-on. Yes, you read that right. It’s like buying a ticket to a concert and then discovering you have to pay extra to actually enter the building. But wait—here’s the twist: if you buy a Bundle fare (their upgraded seat + bag combo), the carry-on is included. So really, it’s a game of chicken. Are you a carry-on gambler?

The maximum size for a carry-on is 22 x 14 x 9 inches. That’s a standard airline size. The fee? Usually between $25 and $40 if you pay online. Wait until the airport, and it’s more like $50. That’s the “I’m-a-disorganized-lemon” tax. Don’t be that lemon.

A Quick Warning About Personal Item vs. Carry-On

This is where people get confused. You see a big backpack and think, “That’s a personal item!” Sun Country disagrees. If your “personal item” looks like it could host a small camping trip, it’s a carry-on. They have a sizer box at the gate. It is merciless. I once watched a man try to cram a duffel bag into it. The bag cried.

Here’s a joke for you: What’s the difference between a personal item and a carry-on on Sun Country? About thirty bucks and a very awkward walk of shame back to the ticket counter. Measure your bag before you leave. Your future self will thank you.

Sun Country Baggage Fees: Everything You Need to Know (2022)

Checked Bags: The Heavy Hitters

Need to bring a suitcase? The kind you have to sit on to close? That’s a checked bag. The first checked bag on Sun Country costs about $35 to $45 online. The second one is $45 to $55. It’s like paying for a pit stop on a road trip, except the pit stop is a dark, mysterious tunnel full of luggage handlers.

Here’s a surprising fact: The weight limit for a checked bag is 50 lbs. If you go over, you pay a penalty. It’s called an “overweight” fee, and it’s around $75. That’s the price of realizing you packed six hardcover books “just in case.” Surprise! Your vacation is now a literary weightlifting competition.

If your bag is over 70 lbs, it’s not going on the plane. It gets sent to a retirement home for overstuffed duffels. Seriously. The airline will refuse it. You will be left at the counter, holding a single sock and weeping.

Special Items: The Wildcards

Golf clubs? Yes, they count as a checked bag, but they have their own fee (around $35). Strollers? Free. Car seats? Free. Musical instruments? Prepare for a conversation. If your instrument is small, it might be a personal item. If it’s a cello, you might need to buy it a seat. Yes, a seat for your cello. It’s the only musician who will definitely not bother you about the in-flight movie selection.

Do You Have To Pay For Carry On With Sun Country at Nora Weeks blog

Also, you can bring a small cooler. A cooler. This is a certified Midwest moment. Nothing says “I’m going to visit Grandma” like lugging a plastic Igloo filled with leftover casserole onto a Boeing 737. Just make sure it’s not filled with liquids over 3.4 ounces, unless you want to explain to TSA why your tuna salad needs to be smuggled onto the plane.

The Final Wisdom

The golden rule of Sun Country’s bag policy is this: Do everything online. Buy your carry-on and checked bag when you book your ticket. The moment you step into that airport, the prices skyrocket. It’s like buying a hot dog at a baseball game—you know it’s a bad deal, but your hunger (or your luggage) has you cornered.

Another weirdly specific tip: Be nice to the gate agent. They have discretionary power. If you’re polite and your bag is only an inch too big, they might wave you through. If you’re rude, they will measure your bag so precisely that they might invent a new unit of measurement just to charge you extra. I’ve seen it happen. It was terrifying.

In summary: pack light, measure twice, and never, ever bring a 15-pound dictionary “for the beach.” And if you see someone trying to carry on a cooler full of cheese curds? Salute them. They are living the Sun Country dream, one free personal item at a time.