Sun Country Airlines Baggage Policy 2026: Fees, Sizes & Rules 

Sun Country Airlines charges $25–$55 for a carry-on bag and $30–$55 for a first checked bag, depending on when you purchase. The only free item is a personal item (max 17″ x 13″ x 9″) that fits under the seat. Buying bags at the time of booking always gets you the lowest rate.

Sun Country Airlines has built a loyal following among budget-conscious flyers particularly out of its Minneapolis–St. Paul hub by offering low base fares to 50+ U.S., Caribbean, Mexican, and Central American destinations. The trade-off? An à la carte pricing model where baggage fees can quietly double your ticket cost if you’re not paying attention.

What Is the Bag Policy for Sun Country Airlines?

Sun Country Airlines operates a strict à la carte baggage model. Every passenger gets one free personal item. Carry-on bags and checked bags both require a paid add-on. Fees are lowest at booking and increase as departure approaches sometimes by as much as $25 per bag.

There are no free checked bags or complimentary overhead bins for economy passengers, with limited exceptions for active-duty U.S. military and Sun Country Visa Signature cardholders.

How Many Bags Can You Take for Free on Sun Country Airlines?

Sun Country allows exactly one free bag per passenger: a personal item that fits under the seat in front of you. Nothing else no carry-on, no checked bag is included in the base fare. Any bag beyond your personal item requires a paid add-on.

Free personal item requirements:

• Maximum dimensions: 17″ x 13″ x 9″ (43 x 33 x 23 cm)
• Must fit completely under the seat in front of you
• Acceptable items: purse, laptop bag, briefcase, small backpack, or duffel

Note: Jackets, umbrella, diaper bags (beyond the infant allowance), and assistive devices do not count as personal items and require separate arrangements.

What Are Sun Country Carry-On Baggage Fees in 2026?

Sun Country carry-on fees range from $25 to $55 each way, depending entirely on when you purchase. The carry-on bag called an “Overhead” bag by Sun Country must fit within the airline’s specified dimensions. You cannot place a standard rolling suitcase in the overhead bin without paying.

Sun Country carry-on bag fees (one-way):

Important: These are one-way rates. A roundtrip with a carry-on bag costs $50–$110 total, just for the overhead space.

What Are the Carry-On Size and Weight Restrictions?

Sun Country carry-on bags must not exceed 24″ x 16″ x 11″ (61 x 40 x 30 cm), including handles and wheels, and must weigh no more than 35 lbs (16 kg). This is largely standard across U.S. carriers for dimensions, though the 35 lb weight cap is relatively strict compared to airlines that don’t weigh carry-ons at all.

Sun Country uses a sizer box at the gate. If your carry-on doesn’t fit, you’ll pay the gate rate of $55 per bag the most expensive option and it will be checked.

What Are Sun Country Baggage Prices for Checked Bags?

Sun Country checked bag fees vary by when you pay and how many bags you’re checking. The first checked bag costs $30–$55 each way; the second and third bags cost $45–$65 each way.

Sun Country checked bag fees   1st bag (one-way):

Sun Country checked bag fees  2nd and 3rd bags (one-way):

Real cost scenario: A family of four flying roundtrip from Minneapolis (MSP) to Phoenix (PHX), each checking one bag purchased at the time of booking, could pay approximately $35 per bag × 4 passengers × 2 directions = $280 in baggage fees alone. Waiting until the airport brings that total closer to $440.

What Is the Sun Country Baggage Weight Limit?

Sun Country’s standard weight limit for checked bags is 50 lbs (23 kg). The maximum accepted weight on most routes is 99 lbs; bags over 100 lbs are refused on all Sun Country flights.

Bags exceeding 50 lbs are subject to overweight fees, which are broken down in a tiered system one of the more granular structures among U.S. carriers.

Sun Country overweight and oversized bag fees:

Practical example: If you pre-purchased a checked bag for $35 at booking and your bag weighs 58 lbs at the airport, you’ll pay an additional $25 overweight fee bringing your total to $60 for that one bag, one way.

Route-specific restrictions:

• Bags over 70 lbs are not accepted on flights to or from Jamaica and Puerto Rico
• No bags over 100 lbs are accepted on any Sun Country flight

Sun Country Baggage Fees for Economy vs. Higher Fare Types

Sun Country operates an all-economy cabin with two seat categories: Standard and Best (front-of-cabin seats with extra legroom). Neither fare type includes complimentary checked bags or carry-on bags. Both are subject to the same baggage fee structure.

The meaningful distinctions are:

• Sun Country Visa Signature cardholders receive 50% off their first checked bag (pre-purchased online), and one traveling companion on the same reservation gets the same discount
• Active-duty U.S. Military receive two free checked bags (up to 100 lbs each) and one free overhead bag; oversized fees are waived on the first two checked bags (valid CAC with “Uniformed Services” required at check-in)

What Are the Policies for Special Items and Sports Equipment?

Sporting Equipment

Many common sports gear items can substitute for a standard checked bag and are subject to the same checked bag fees. These include:

• Ski or snowboard equipment (up to two skis plus boot bag)
• Golf equipment (bag, clubs, one pair of shoes)
• Hockey equipment (up to five sticks, bound together)
• Fishing equipment (two rods, boot bag, tackle box)
• Bowling and lacrosse equipment

Oversized sporting equipment subject to the $100 special item fee:

• Surfboards, wakeboards, kiteboards (max 5 feet in length)
• Scuba diving gear
• Bicycles (non-motorized only)
• Windsurfing equipment (max 5-foot mast)

Pets

Cats and small dogs may travel as carry-on baggage on Sun Country flights within the contiguous 48 U.S. states only.

• Pre-booked: $75 each way
• Walk-up request (subject to space): $100 each way
• Maximum of six animals per flight; reservations must be made through Sun Country Reservations

Service animals travel free with proper documentation.

Strollers and Car Seats

FAA-approved car seats and strollers both fly free of charge on Sun Country, whether checked at the ticket counter or gate-checked. Diaper bags (one per infant) are also free. Booster seats are not permitted onboard.

Musical Instruments

Small instruments that fit in the overhead bin or under the seat are subject to standard bag fees. Larger instruments (cellos, guitars, tubas) must be checked or you can purchase a bulkhead seat for the instrument to travel in the cabin with you.

How to Avoid Extra Baggage Fees on Sun Country: Practical Tips

1. Always buy bags at booking. The price difference between booking-time and airport rates can be $15–$25 per bag, each way. On a roundtrip with two bags, that’s potentially $60–$100 in unnecessary costs.

2. Weigh your bag at home before you leave. A standard 22″ rolling suitcase packed with clothes and shoes easily exceeds 50 lbs. Weigh it on a bathroom scale before your trip to avoid the $25–$125 overweight surcharge at the airport.

3. Use Sun Country’s baggage calculator. Before booking, use the fee calculator on Sun Country’s website (suncountry.com/bags-optional-services) to get the exact fee for your specific route. Prices vary slightly by flight.

4. Pack strategically on roundtrips. Fees apply each direction. If you’re traveling for a week, consider shipping items to your destination or packing a soft-sided bag inside your checked bag for souvenirs on the return.

5. Consider the Sun Country Visa Signature card. If you fly Sun Country regularly, the 50% first-bag discount can pay for itself quickly especially when traveling with a companion.

How Does Sun Country Compare to Other Airlines on Baggage Fees?

Sun Country’s first checked bag fees (when booked in advance) are competitive with major legacy carriers, and slightly less than some ultra-low-cost competitors at their highest pricing tiers.

Source: Trips with Tykes, 2026 airline baggage fee comparison

One important distinction: Sun Country’s overweight fee structure is more tiered than most competitors. Airlines like Spirit charge a flat $130 for any overweight bag between 51–100 lbs, while Sun Country scales from $25 to $125 depending on exact weight. For bags in the 51–60 lb range, Sun Country’s $25 surcharge is significantly cheaper.

The key gap most travelers miss: Sun Country charges for carry-on bags a policy shared with Spirit and Frontier but not with legacy carriers like Delta, American, and United, where overhead bin access is included even in basic economy.

How Strict Is Sun Country on Bag Size?

Sun Country enforces bag size at the gate using a physical sizer box. If your overhead bag doesn’t fit the sizer, it will be gate-checked and you’ll be charged the highest rate ($55 one-way). Gate agents have discretion, but Sun Country’s policy is consistent about enforcement during busy boarding periods.

For carry-on bags, the 35 lb weight limit is technically enforced, though travelers report it is not universally checked in practice. The dimensional limit 24″ x 16″ x 11″ is the harder constraint, and the sizer box is the definitive test.

Bottom line: Don’t assume your bag will pass. Measure it at home, particularly if it’s packed tightly or has external pockets that expand its profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Sun Country charge for personal items under the seat?
No. Sun Country allows one free personal item (max 17″ x 13″ x 9″) per passenger at no charge, provided it fits under the seat in front of you. Backpacks, purses, and laptop bags qualify.

Can I bring a carry-on and a checked bag on Sun Country?
Yes, but you must pay for both separately. Purchasing a carry-on at booking costs $25–$40; a checked bag costs $30–$45. You can bring multiple checked bags, though each incurs its own fee.

What happens if my carry-on doesn’t fit Sun Country’s sizer box at the gate?
Your bag will be gate-checked and you’ll be charged the gate rate of $55 one-way the highest possible fee. Measure your bag before travel to avoid this.

Does Sun Country have a weight limit for carry-on bags?
Yes. Sun Country’s overhead carry-on bags must weigh no more than 35 lbs (16 kg). The dimensional limit is 24″ x 16″ x 11″ including wheels and handles.

Are strollers and car seats free on Sun Country?
Yes. FAA-approved car seats and strollers check for free at the ticket counter or gate on all Sun Country flights. One diaper bag per infant also travels free.

Does Sun Country charge overweight fees incrementally or with a flat rate?
Sun Country uses an incremental overweight fee structure: $25 for 51–60 lbs, $50 for 61–70 lbs, up to $125 for 91–99 lbs. This is more granular than most airlines and can be cheaper for bags just slightly over 50 lbs.

Can active-duty military bring bags for free on Sun Country?
Yes. Active-duty U.S. military members receive two free checked bags (up to 100 lbs each) and one free overhead carry-on. Oversized fees are waived on the first two checked bags. A valid Common Access Card (CAC) with “Uniformed Services” is required at check-in.

How much does it cost to bring a pet on Sun Country?
Cats and small dogs travel for $75 each way if booked through Sun Country Reservations in advance. Walk-up requests at the airport cost $100 each way, subject to the six-animal-per-flight limit.

Do Sun Country baggage fees change for international routes vs. domestic?
According to Sun Country’s pricing data, fees are largely consistent across domestic and international routes. The primary variable is the route itself, which you can verify using Sun Country’s online baggage fee calculator.

Is the Sun Country Visa Signature card worth it for baggage savings?
For travelers who fly Sun Country roundtrip at least once a year and check one bag, the 50% first-bag discount can offset a significant portion of the card’s annual fee. The discount also extends to one companion on the same reservation, making it particularly valuable for couples or families.