Sun Country Airlines is an American low-cost airline headquartered in the Minneapolis-St. Paul suburb of Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Sun Country uses nearby Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport as its main hub, and flies scheduled and charter flights from the new Humphrey terminal of that airport to destinations in the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... IATA airline designators, sometimes called IATA reservation codes, are two-character codes assigned by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to the worlds airlines in accordance with the provisions of Resolution 762. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with ICAO airline code. ... Most airlines employ a distinctive and internationally recognised call sign that is normally spoken during airband radio transmissions as a prefix to the flight number. ... An airline hub is an airport that an airline uses as a transfer point to get passengers to their intended destination. ... Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (IATA: MSP, ICAO: KMSP) is the largest and busiest airport in the five-state upper Midwestern region of Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. ... In the airline industry, a focus city is a location that is not a hub, but from which the airline has flights to at least several destinations other than its hubs. ... DFW redirects here. ... Membership cards of FFP This article is about airline frequent flyer programs. ... A holding company is a company that owns enough voting stock in another firm to control management and operations by influencing or electing its board of directors. ... Petters Group Worldwide is a privately-held company based in Minnetonka, Minnesota in the United States. ... Mendota Heights is a city in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States. ... Capital Saint Paul Largest city Minneapolis Area  Ranked 12th  - Total 87,014 sq mi (225,365 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 400 miles (645 km)  - % water 8. ... A Chief Executive Officer (CEO), or Chief Executive, is the highest-ranking corporate officer, administrator, corporate administrator, executive, or executive officer, in charge of total management of a corporation, company, organization or agency. ... A Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a corporate officer responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of the corporation. ... Boeing 737-200 of low-cost Irish airline Ryanair A low-cost carrier (also known as a no-frills or discount carrier) is an airline that offers low fares but eliminates most traditional passenger services. ... Mendota Heights is a city in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States. ... Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (IATA: MSP, ICAO: KMSP) is the largest and busiest airport in the five-state upper Midwestern region of Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. ... “West Indian” redirects here. ...

The great majority of Sun Country's routes either arrive in or depart from Minneapolis-St. Paul, but the airline also offers periodic charter service from smaller Midwestern cities, such as Fargo, North Dakota and La Crosse, Wisconsin, to leisure destinations such as Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nevada. The Midwest is a common name for a region of the United States of America. ... Location in North Dakota Coordinates: Country United States State North Dakota County Cass County Founded 1871 Mayor Dennis Walaker Area    - City 98. ... Location in the state of Wisconsin Coordinates: , Counties La Crosse County Government  - Mayor Mark Johnsrud Area  - City 57. ... For further information, see Las Vegas metropolitan area and Las Vegas Strip. ... Laughlin at night, with the Colorado River in foreground Laughlin is a census-designated place (CDP) in Clark County, Nevada, United States. ...

Sun Country operates a fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with an average age of about four years. Onboard, Sun Country offers first and coach class products. First Class features 2-2 leather seats with automatic recline, audio entertainment, and hot meals. In coach, there is leather 3-3 seating, audio entertainment and hot sandwiches on every flight. The Boeing 737 is the worlds most popular short to medium range, single aisle, narrow body airliner. ... An Italian sandwich. ...

Sun Country continues to take delivery of additional aircraft from Boeing as it expands and begins to create a focus city at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), with service to Mexico and other resort destinations. The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA, TYO: 7661 ) is a major aerospace and defense corporation, originally founded by William Boeing. ... DFW redirects here. ...

Sun Country was among the first airlines to operate out of the new terminal D at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, which officially opened on July 23, 2005. is the 204th day of the year (205th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

History

Origins

After the shutdown of Braniff International Airways in 1982, a small group of Braniff employees led by Captain Jim Olsen, the current chief operations officer, approached Twin Cities tour operator MLT Vacations about dedicating a Boeing 727-200 to the tour operator's leisure destinations. Previously the tour operator had occasionally utilized a Braniff Boeing 727-200 overnighting at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport for charters to leisure destinations. In June of 1982, an agreement was signed to start a new airline, Sun Country. MLT Vacations owned 51% of the company, with the pilots and flight attendants owning the remainder. An Air Florida Boeing 727-227 Advanced aircraft that had been destined for delivery to Braniff as N484BN was secured for the start-up. Braniff International Airways was an American airline that existed from 1928 until 1982. ... A chief operating officer (or COO) is a corporate officer responsible for management of day-to-day activities of the corporation. ... A map of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. ... Sun Country 727 The Boeing 727 was, for a very long time, the most popular jet_liner in the world. ... Air Florida Flight 90 This article discusses the 1971-1984 airline. ... The Boeing 727 is a mid-size, narrow-body, three-engine commercial jet airliner. ...

Sun Country's original staff consisted of sixteen pilots, sixteen flight attendants, three mechanics and one office person. The company's first flight was January 30, 1983 from Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Las Vegas. In the early days of the company, employees completed numerous tasks in order to lower costs. Flight attendants stocked liquor kits and prepared meals while pilots updated manuals and assisted in catering. The entire group assisted in cleaning the aircraft exterior and interior. On time performance was 98% the first year, due to the young age of the aircraft and quality mechanics. Sun Country was profitable after six months of operation. In addition, no debt was accumulated in the succeeding years as the company financed all growth from internal funds. is the 30th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... Sioux Falls (IPA: [su fɑlz]) is the largest city in the U.S. state of South Dakota, and the county seat of Minnehaha County. ...

In 2007, Station Agents still assist in all areas of flight, including ticketing, gate work, upgrades, reservations, customs, weights and balances, aircraft security and supervisation of ramp services.

Expansion and collapse

Slow and deliberate expansion through the 1980s created steady profits for the company. In 1986, the company put into service its first wide-body aircraft, a 380 seat DC-10-40 leased from future competitor Northwest Airlines. The aircraft's intercontinental range enabled the company to fly international charters and also accommodate high demand on the company's popular Minneapolis to Las Vegas route that the Boeing 727 fleet could not handle. Biman Bangladesh Airlines McDonnell Douglas DC-10 The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 is a three-engined long-range airliner, with two engines mounted on underwing pylons and a third engine at the base of the vertical stabilizer. ... Northwest Airlines (NYSE: NWA), occasionally known as NWA, is an American airline headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota near Minneapolis-St. ... This article is about the city in Minnesota. ...

Sun Country also provided ad-hoc charter lift to civic organizations, corporations, sports teams and virtually any other group that wanted to charter an aircraft. In 1989, Sun Country became a member of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF). Many charters were flown in support of the Desert Storm effort in 1990-91. For their efforts in supporting the operation, 130 of the company's employees were recognized by the United States Air Force. The Civil Reserve Air Fleet is a unique and significant part of the United Statess mobility resources. ... See also: 2003 invasion of Iraq and Gulf War (disambiguation) C Company, 1st Battalion, The Staffordshire Regiment, 1st UK Armoured Division The Persian Gulf War was a conflict between Iraq and a coalition force of 34 nations led by the United States. ... The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the United States armed forces and one of the seven uniformed services. ...

After reaping record profits of $9.7 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1991, the airline acquired additional Boeing 727 and DC-10 aircraft. Additional tour operators chose Sun Country as their air carrier, and an emphasis was placed on flying from the Midwest to Las Vegas, Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean. is the 181st day of the year (182nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... The Boeing 727 is a mid-size, narrow-body, three-engine commercial jet airliner. ... Biman Bangladesh Airlines McDonnell Douglas DC-10 The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 is a three-engined long-range airliner, with two engines mounted on underwing pylons and a third engine at the base of the vertical stabilizer. ...

In the mid 1990s, the Mark Travel Group, lead by Bill LaMacchia Jr., acquired Sun Country and began changing the focus of the small niche-market airline. Much of the 1990s were a tough period for the airline, as an aging and over-worked fleet coupled with record demand stretched the airline to its limits. New management began an aircraft refurbishing program designed at improving the experience of Sun Country's passengers. As the DC-10 aircraft aged and required expensive maintenance, the airline gradually reduced the fleet, ultimately retiring the final DC-10 in early 2001. As major airlines became more sophisticated in managing their seat inventories, the demand for tour charter flying fell off. In June 1999, the management of Sun Country launched a major transformation from a charter carrier into a scheduled airline. New service from Minneapolis and Milwaukee was announced to destinations around the nation, including Los Angeles, Seattle, Detroit, Washington, DC, and Phoenix. The airline also announced a frequent flyer program, Smile Awards, which offered frequent travelers free flights among other benefits. In 2000, Sun Country announced plans to replace its entire fleet with new Boeing 737 next-generation aircraft, with deliveries beginning in 2001. As Sun Country reinvented itself, heavy competition from local incumbent carrier Northwest Airlines and the events of 9/11 caused a precipitous drop in traffic and revenue. Contrary to its tradition of financial success and profitability, by the summer of 2001 the airline was bleeding money. After fighting to stay operational by cutting flights, destinations, and planes, the company finally closed its doors on December 8, 2001. Biman Bangladesh Airlines McDonnell Douglas DC-10 The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 is a three-engined long-range airliner, with two engines mounted on underwing pylons and a third engine at the base of the vertical stabilizer. ... This article is about the city in Minnesota. ... This article is about Milwaukee in Wisconsin. ... Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ... City nickname Emerald City City bird Great Blue Heron City flower Dahlia City mottos The City of Flowers The City of Goodwill City song Seattle, the Peerless City Mayor Greg Nickels County King County Area   - Total   - Land   - Water   - % water 369. ... Motto: Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus (We Hope For Better Things; It Shall Rise From the Ashes - this motto was adopted after the disastrous 1805 fire that devastated the city) Nickname: The Motor City and Motown Location in Wayne County, Michigan Founded Incorporated July 24, 1701 1815  County Wayne County Mayor... Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United... Nickname: Location in Maricopa County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: , Country United States State Arizona Counties Maricopa Incorporated February 25, 1881 Government  - Type Council-Manager  - Mayor Phil Gordon (D) Area  - City  515. ... The Boeing 737 is the worlds most popular short to medium range, single aisle, narrow body airliner. ... Northwest Airlines (NYSE: NWA), occasionally known as NWA, is an American airline headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota near Minneapolis-St. ... The date that commonly refers to the attacks on United States citizens on September 11, 2001 (see the September 11, 2001 Attacks). ... is the 342nd day of the year (343rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ...

Rebuilding

During bankruptcy, Sun Country lost the vast majority of its 727 fleet, and four recently delivered 737 aircraft: 737-8Q8 N800SY, N802SY, N803SY, and the lone 737-7Q8 to come on the property, N710SY. However, the company retained its operating certificate. In the following months, a local group of investors organized as MN Airlines, LLC purchased the remaining assets in bankruptcy court and began anew. Longtime employees noted that those first months in 2001-2002 harkened back to the beginning days of Sun Country in 1982 and the "can-do" spirit of the company's workforce. Operating certificate is a category of license issued by a government agency allowing an individual or company to provide a controlled type of service. ...

Emerging from bankruptcy, Sun Country standardized its fleet on the Next-Generation Boeing 737-800. The airline initially operated combined charter-scheduled services from Minneapolis to Laughlin, Nevada's casinos, and gradually added more charter destinations as finances allowed. Soon, new scheduled service was announced, focusing on Florida, Mexico, and the West Coast. The Boeing 737 is the worlds most popular short to medium range, single aisle, narrow body airliner. ... Official language(s) English Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Largest metro area Miami Area  Ranked 22nd  - Total 65,795[1] sq mi (170,304[1] km²)  - Width 361 miles (582 km)  - Length 447 miles (721 km)  - % water 17. ...

In a symbolic return to success, Sun Country acquired new aircraft in 2004 and 2005 and was profitable in 2004. To honor the company's roots and history, in 2004 Sun Country named new 737-800 N807SY "The Spirit of Braniff". This plane was the focus of the 2005 "Mid-Continent/Braniff Airways" Reunion held on September 24, 2005 in the Sun Country Hangar at MSP. 350 former Braniff and Mid-Continent employees attended. is the 267th day of the year (268th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

On October 31, 2006, the airline announced that its acquisition by Petters Group Worldwide and Whitebox Advisors, previously announced in July, had been completed.^[1] is the 304th day of the year (305th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Petters Group Worldwide is a privately-held company based in Minnetonka, Minnesota in the United States. ...

Sun Country VIP Club and Ufly

In 2004, Sun Country announced a new frequent traveler program entitled the Sun Country VIP Club. This program is unique in the fact that it does not offer flyers miles or points; rather it grants them the right to airline tickets at the price of $39 plus 10 cents per mile traveled for domestic travel, or $89 plus 10 cents per mile for international travel. These VIP Tickets are available up to one day in advance of travel. Membership costs $99 plus either $12 per month for an individual or $17 per month for a family.

In addition to the VIP-only fares, members receive first class boarding, security and check in Minneapolis and other cities. Lastly, Sun Country VIP members have access to a hotel reservation system which contains over 60,000 hotels worldwide.

In July 2007, Sun Country announced its first traditional frequent flyer program named "Ufly." "Ufly" offers 5 points (coach) or 7 points (First Class) for every one-way. 20 points are being awarded for first-time signers. Once 100 points is reached, flyers are eligible for one free ticket with no restrictions.

The Program is similar to Southwest's "Rapid Rewards" program.

All VIP members were automatically enrolled upon introduction.

Destinations

Main article: Sun Country Airlines destinations

Sun Country Airlines currently flies to 29 destinations throughout the Caribbean, United States, and Mexico. Of these destinations, 14 are served year-round. Recently, Sun Country announced new seasonal service to Tucson, Arizona, and West Palm Beach, Florida. The new seasonal service will begin on December 16 for TUS, and December 17, 2007 for PBI, increasing Sun Country's destination count to 31. Destinations of Sun Country Airlines -- Operated by MN Airlines, LLC North America United States, U.S. Territories, Canada, and Mexico Acapulco Anchorage, Alaska Cabo San Lucas Cancun Cozumel Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas Focus City Denver, Colorado Fort Lauderdale, Florida Fort Myers, Florida Harlingen, Texas Houston, Texas Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo Las Vegas... “West Indian” redirects here. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Nickname: Location in Palm Beach County and the state of Florida. ...

Fleet

As of August 2007, Sun Country Airlines has 9 aircraft in its fleet, comprised of only Boeing 737-800s. Two more aircraft maybe delivered in 2008. ^[2] 737 in new Boeing Colors. ...

Seasonally, Sun Country leases additional aircraft to and from transavia.com. As of October 2006, 6 additional aircraft are being leased. Categories: Corporation stubs ... A North American Airlines Boeing 757 parked at the Rafael Hernández Airport, with Fed Ex and Tradewinds jets nearby. ... transavia. ...

Brand new 737-800 aircraft, N810SY was delivered in July of 2007, and N811SY was delivered in August of 2007.

As of August 2007, Sun Country's average fleet age was 3.8 years old. ^[3]

N807SY, N808SY and N809SY are the three main aircraft that fly to DFW airport from MSP. DFW serves Anchorage, Cancún, and Puerto Vallarta. Sun Country's newest aircraft, N810SY, is currently flying from MSP to LAX or SFO.

References

Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 304th day of the year (305th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... A press release (sometimes known as a news release or press statement) is a written or recorded communication directed at members of the news media for the purpose of announcing something claimed as having news value. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Sun Country Airlines
• Sun Country Airlines Route Map
• Sun Country Airlines Fleet
• Sun Country VIP Club
• Sun Country VIP Prices
• Braniff Airways history