Allegiant and Sun Country Merger: What Changes for Passengers and When

Sun Country and Allegiant are now one company. Allegiant completed its takeover of Minneapolis-based Sun Country Airlines on 13 May 2026, creating a larger US leisure airline with 195 aircraft serving nearly 175 destinations. For now, the two airlines still fly separately, but Allegiant has said the Sun Country brand will eventually disappear once both airlines fly under a single operating certificate.

If you have a booking with either airline, nothing changes yet. This guide explains the deal, the timeline for combining the airlines, what happens to Sun Country Rewards and Allegiant Allways Rewards, and how to book in the meantime. Facts are checked against the sources listed at the end.

Allegiant Sun Country Merger at a Glance

Detail	What you need to know
Deal completed	13 May 2026
Deal value	About US$1.5 billion in cash and stock, including Sun Country’s debt
Combined fleet	195 aircraft
Destinations	Nearly 175
Leader	Gregory Anderson, Allegiant CEO
Sun Country brand	To be phased out after a single operating certificate, expected by early 2028
Bookings now	Separate: allegiantair.com and suncountry.com

The Deal in Numbers

• Value: about US$1.5 billion, including more than US$400 million of Sun Country’s net debt, valuing Sun Country at US$18.89 a share.
• Ownership: Allegiant shareholders own about 67% of the combined company and former Sun Country shareholders about 33%.
• Fleet: roughly 130 Allegiant aircraft plus about 65 Sun Country Boeing 737s, 20 of which fly cargo for Amazon Air.
• Savings target: about US$140 million a year within three years.
• Leadership: Allegiant CEO Gregory Anderson leads the combined company, Robert Neal is president and chief financial officer, and Sun Country CEO Jude Bricker joins Allegiant’s board.

Who Are Sun Country and Allegiant?

Sun Country Airlines

The Minneapolis airline has flown for more than four decades from its base at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. It serves destinations across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, with a strong focus on leisure travel from the Upper Midwest, especially in winter when Minnesotans head for the sun. Alongside scheduled flights, it runs charter flights and cargo flights for Amazon.

Allegiant Air

Allegiant Air is known for low fares on point-to-point leisure routes from smaller US cities to holiday destinations such as Florida, Las Vegas and Arizona. Many of its routes run only a few times a week, timed for leisure travellers rather than business trips. Allegiant sells a range of extras, from seats and bags to hotels and car hire, and has its own Allways Rewards loyalty programme.

The two airlines overlap less than you might expect. Allegiant concentrates on small and mid-sized cities, while Sun Country is built around one major hub, so the combined network gives travellers more choice rather than replacing one airline with another.

What Stays the Same for Now

Until the two airlines move onto a single operating certificate from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), they continue to fly separately. Allegiant said at completion that there would be no changes to flight schedules, reservation systems or travel plans for now. That means:

• Booking: keep booking on allegiantair.com or suncountry.com, or through your usual travel channels.
• Existing reservations: schedules, check-in and customer service stay with the airline you booked.
• Loyalty: Allegiant Allways Rewards and Sun Country Rewards remain separate, with extra benefits introduced step by step before full integration.
• Staff: operations employees keep their current roles, and existing labour agreements remain in place while new combined agreements are negotiated.

Sun Country Merger: When Will the Brand Disappear?

In July 2026, Allegiant’s vice president of network, planning and charters, Kristen Schilling-Gonzales, said that once the airlines fly under a single operating certificate, Allegiant will be the only brand. She estimated it would take 18 to 24 months to get that certificate, which points to the Sun Country name and its orange-and-blue livery being retired by early 2028.

There had been speculation that a Sun Country name might survive for flights from Minnesota and the Midwest, but the company has now signalled that it will not. For travellers, the practical change will come when bookings, check-in and loyalty move onto one system, which is expected to happen around the time of the single certificate.

What Is a Single Operating Certificate?

In the United States, every airline needs an air operator certificate from the FAA. It covers how the airline trains pilots and crew, maintains its aircraft and runs its operations. When two airlines merge, they usually keep flying under their own certificates at first, then combine their manuals, training, maintenance programmes and systems so they can fly under one.

That process takes time because safety regulators need to approve every change. It also involves negotiating combined agreements with pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and other staff, which is why the company estimates 18 to 24 months. Until then, the two airlines look and feel separate to passengers, even though they are owned by the same company.

How Airline Mergers Usually Affect Passengers

Recent US airline mergers give a good idea of what to expect. When Alaska Airlines bought Virgin America, the Virgin America brand was retired in 2019. When Alaska bought Hawaiian Airlines in 2024, the Hawaiian brand was kept, but the two airlines combined their loyalty programmes and moved towards a single flight code. Every merger is different, but some patterns are common:

• Little changes at first: for many months after a deal closes, passengers notice almost nothing.
• Systems switch overnight: the biggest change usually comes when reservation systems merge, which can cause short-term disruption.
• Loyalty programmes combine: points and status are normally moved into one programme, sometimes with changes to how they are earned and used.
• Networks are reshaped: overlapping routes may be cut, while new connections are added where the networks complement each other.
• Fares can change: less competition on some routes can push fares up, while new routes can bring more choice.

Merger Timeline

Date	Milestone
January 2026	Allegiant and Sun Country announce the merger
13 May 2026	Allegiant completes the acquisition after regulatory and shareholder approval
July 2026	Allegiant says the Sun Country brand will be phased out completely
Around 2027–2028	Expected single FAA operating certificate
By early 2028	Expected retirement of the Sun Country name and livery

What the Merger Means for Minneapolis

Minneapolis–Saint Paul has been the airline’s home for decades, and Allegiant has said it expects the airport to remain an important operating centre for the combined airline. For Twin Cities travellers, the key questions are whether the number of flights and destinations from MSP grows, and whether fares stay competitive once the Sun Country name disappears.

Delta Air Lines has a large hub at MSP, so a strong leisure airline there gives travellers an alternative, especially for winter sun trips to Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean. Watch for schedule announcements as the integration continues.

Baggage and Fees: What to Expect

Both airlines use a low-fare model in which the basic ticket covers your seat and a small personal item, and almost everything else costs extra. That can make them very good value if you travel light, but the total price rises quickly with bags, seats and other options.

• Carry-on bags: a full-size cabin bag usually costs extra on basic fares, so check before you go to the airport.
• Checked bags: fees are lower when you add bags during booking than at the airport.
• Seat selection: choosing a seat costs extra; if you do not mind where you sit, you can skip it.
• Bundles: fare bundles that include bags and seats can be cheaper than buying each extra separately.
• Price comparisons: always compare the total trip price with other airlines, including all the extras you need.

Our Allegiant Air guide has the latest baggage and fee details for Allegiant flights.

Winter Sun From the Midwest

For many travellers in Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Dakotas, the main reason to fly the airline from Minneapolis is winter sun. Routes to Florida, Arizona, Mexico and the Caribbean are especially busy from December to March, and fares rise around school holidays.

• Book early for peak weeks: Christmas, New Year and spring break flights sell out quickly.
• Be flexible with days: many leisure routes do not fly every day, so adjusting your trip by a day or two can save money.
• Check winter weather: snow and ice can delay departures from the Midwest, so allow extra time for onward plans.

Charter and Cargo Flights

Part of the combined airline’s business is not scheduled passenger flying at all. The fleet includes 20 Boeing 737s that fly cargo for Amazon Air, and both airlines run charter flights for groups such as sports teams, tour operators and other organisations. These businesses help keep aircraft busy outside the peak holiday seasons, which supports the low-fare scheduled network.

What Happens to Sun Country Rewards and Allways Rewards?

For now, the two loyalty programmes remain separate. Keep earning in the programme of the airline you fly, and keep using your current account for redemptions. The airlines have said extra benefits will be introduced step by step before full integration, but no date has been given for a merged programme.

• Keep your accounts active: check expiry rules so you do not lose points during the transition.
• Watch your email: any changes to the programmes will be announced to members first.
• Do not move points early: wait for official instructions before trying to combine balances.

Flying From Smaller US Cities

Allegiant built its business by flying from smaller cities that big airlines often overlook, such as regional airports in the Midwest, the South and the Mountain West. Instead of connecting through a hub, passengers fly non-stop to a holiday destination, often on just a few days a week. That model can save hours compared with connecting through a large hub, and it often uses smaller, less crowded airports.

The trade-off is frequency. If a route only flies twice a week, a cancellation can mean a long wait for the next flight. Plan important trips with a little flexibility, and consider travel insurance that covers delays and cancellations.

How the Combined Airline Compares With Other US Low-Cost Airlines

The US low-cost market has changed a lot in recent years. Spirit Airlines has been through financial restructuring, Frontier and Breeze continue to expand, and Southwest started charging for checked bags in 2025. The merged airline will be one of the larger leisure-focused airlines in the country, with a particular focus on holiday routes rather than business travel.

• Network: strong in small and mid-sized cities and at Minneapolis, with many seasonal routes.
• Fares: low base fares with paid extras, similar to other ultra low-cost airlines.
• Extras: hotels, car hire and holiday packages can be booked alongside flights.
• Frequency: fewer daily flights than the big network airlines on most routes.

If you value frequent flights and connections, a network airline may suit you better. If you want a cheap non-stop flight to a holiday destination, the combined airline is likely to be one of your best options.

What to Do If Your Flight Is Cancelled or Changed

Under US Department of Transportation rules that took effect in 2024, airlines must give you an automatic cash refund if they cancel or significantly change your flight and you choose not to travel or accept an alternative. That applies to both airlines in the group, just as it does to other US airlines.

• Check your options: the airline will usually offer a new flight, but you can choose a refund instead if you prefer.
• Keep records: save emails, receipts and messages about the change.
• Know the difference: a refund returns your money, while a travel credit can only be used for future flights.
• Ask about extras: if you paid for bags or seats and do not travel, ask for those fees to be refunded too.

Holiday Packages and Extras

One of the features that sets Allegiant apart is the range of holiday extras sold alongside flights, including hotels, car hire and activities. Combining several parts of a trip in one booking can be convenient and sometimes cheaper, but compare the package price with booking each part separately before you decide. Read the change and cancellation terms for each part of a package, because hotels and car hire often have different rules from the flight.

Is Travel Insurance Worth It?

For leisure routes that only fly a few times a week, travel insurance can be good value. A policy that covers delays, missed connections, cancellations and lost baggage can save a lot of stress if something goes wrong. Check what is covered before you buy, including whether the policy pays out for airline schedule changes and how long a delay must last before you can claim. Many credit cards also include some travel protection when you pay for the flight with the card.

Booking Tips During the Transition

1. Book directly with the airline that operates your flight, so changes and refunds are easier to manage.
2. Save your confirmation email and booking reference in a safe place.
3. Check your booking a few days before you travel for schedule changes.
4. If a flight is changed significantly or cancelled, check the options offered, which can include rebooking or a refund.
5. Keep your loyalty number on every booking so you do not miss out when programmes combine.
6. Compare fares with other airlines on the same route, including all extras.

You can compare fares across airlines on the FlightSelects flight search.

7 Essential Tips for Sun Country and Allegiant Passengers

1. Use the right website: manage your booking on the website of the airline on your confirmation.
2. Add bags when you book: both airlines charge for carry-ons and checked bags on basic fares, and bags cost less when added at booking.
3. Check your seat: seat selection is usually an extra, so decide whether it is worth paying for.
4. Keep your loyalty account: continue using your current programme until a merged one is announced.
5. Watch for schedule changes: as the networks combine, some routes and times may change.
6. Compare the total price: include bags, seats and other extras when comparing with other airlines.
7. Pack power banks in your cabin bag: see our power bank rules guide.

Sun Country FAQs

Facts checked in October 2026 against AirlineGeeks on the completed acquisition, AirlineGeeks on the brand phase-out and WCAX on the deal. Check with your airline before you travel.