If you don’t live in Minnesota, nor travel there frequently, it’s entirely possible you’ve never heard of it....I think Sun Country is the last airline in the US that is truly regional
@@Paul_Lucas Several years ago they did have scheduled seasonal service to the London Gatwick with a stop in Newfoundland for fuel. It wasn't popular and just didn't work with a 737. Never heard of anything in Asia though.
Yep, operated for a couple of summers if I recall, maybe 7-10 years ago. Apart from that they’ve definitely never had any scheduled flights to Europe, and don’t now. Never operated scheduled flights to Asia.
Keep it up, Paul. Such a breath of fresh air from the usual business-or-first-class-only, omg-you-guys-I'm-like-so-devastated-to-tell-you-this-but-**Airlines-doesn't-give-you-a-20-minute-complementary-massage-in-their-lounge-like-that-other-airline-did-so-I-guess-I'm-never-flying-them-first-class-again-pffffff stuff.
MeMeBigBoy I think Sam Chui has a nice attitude though, and he does fly on smaller planes that don’t have first class on his channel. There is one other RU-vidr who is pretty entitled though.... don’t want to say his name out of respect and a desire to stay out of drama.
WarpFactorFive I have a feeling I know who you're on about. Yes, Sam doesn't have the worst attitude but Paul is the most humble flyer I've ever watched on RU-vid.
@@samlauer8855 look at the next weeks forecast. boston gets up to 48 and minneapolis gets up to 20 for a high. and minneapolis is southern minnesota. northern minnesota gets to -50 every winter.
Sun Country also does a lot of charter flights, especially for sports teams. Just a few months ago I photographed that same 737 named after Lake Minnetonka landing to pick up my university's football team when they had an away game.
I flew Sun Country First Class round trip a bunch of times from MSP to Las Vegas for work and vacations 10-12 years ago. The planes were 727-400's then, a little on the worn side, but comfortable and reliable. The First Class bathroom left a lot to be desired. Being 6'2", I couldn't stand up straight or anything close to it for that matter. I literally had to lean back, aim and hope I hit the bowl! lol I always fly early in the morning, we had little breakfast snacks and full hot lunches on all the flights. Free drinks of course (so many of them on a New Years Eve week flight to 'Vegas that I had to switch to soda I was getting so loaded, my glasses didn't sit empty for too long...we had great stewardesses, the 2 who of us who were in First Class that day!). Also, having access to the First Class lines through the metal detectors at McCarran was great, especially after big merchandise shows down there. Almost no waiting. The round-trip fare then was under $500 (the first time I flew First Class was after getting a $50 upgrade when I checked in, another $50 upgraded my return flight too after I joked about paying for that at the same time). Delta and the rest were $800-1000 for First Class. The only problem I had with Sun Country was they had no Frequent Flyer program, they started some sort of "Preferred Flyer" program for $9.95 a month about the time I stopped going to 'Vegas.
I think you made a good point when you said they are firing themselves into the cutthroat world of US Travel.. Being from the UK I'd never actually heard of this airline before, but it seems like a decent enough company! The meals were a nice touch and it really is a lovely livery! Reminds me a little bit of the old "MyTravel" livery with the blue and orange! I'd love to check this airline out in the future but its kinda sad there is no first class! Only a couple more trip reports left now.. which is sad! Definitely looking forward to the Amtrak report! That can't come soon enough!! Happy travelling! :)
Funny to see a video about this airline. Last week I saw them for the first time at Boston Logan Airport and I couldn't really find a good video about them. So thank you Paul! 😀
I used to love Sun country, then they decided they were going full budget-carrier mode which essentially meant that I was likely to no longer use them, and finally, they stranded a planeload of passengers in Mexico when MSP airport was shut down the last weekend of their "season" flying to Mexico, and refused to send a plane the next day to bring the passengers home. After THAT stunt, there is exactly zero chance I'll ever fly with them again. Keep up the good work, Paul, love the videos.
I’m flying Sun Country for the first time this summer and I’m nervous to fly because of all these things that have been going wrong with planes. But this helps a lot
I've flown Sun Country a couple of times, once LAX-MSP-BOS and once MSP-PDX and both times had wonderful experiences. As an economy carrier, I think they do pretty well and I have always found their staff and crew to be friendly and efficient, from buying tickets over the phone (Australia to Minneapolis) to get around credit card transaction headaches, to checking bags at perhaps one of the quietest and friendliest airline desks I've ever encountered. Their down-home sensibility is very attractive and with their pricing I'm very happy to get what I pay for! You were lucky to get the tail and of their first class but I don't think I'm sad to not have the choice now. Cheers!
I was an avid Sun Country customer and was in their frequent flyer program (UFly). They were the only airline I would fly, but with all the changes they have made including losing the First Class, I have now become a big Delta fan.
Sun Country.. WAS.. the best. Cheap coach tickets on wing it sales, then upgrading to first for super cheap, under a normal coach ticket elsewhere. Broke my heart the last time on the airline to find out they went full budget airline was so great. First I lost AirTran first class, now Sun Country as well.
Josiah Benjermin Thomas they’re completely different now and do not have first class anymore. Go on yelp and read their reviews before you book with them - they’re a scam now.
Sun Country did at one point done seasonal weekly flights to Stansted and later on to Gatwick. However the flights both ways had to make a refuelling stop in Gander, since they were using their 737-800s for such a long journey. Not surprisingly, the flights to Stansted and Gatwick didn’t last very long.
Yeah, I flew the Stansted one back in 2010. It was interesting crossing the ocean in a 737, but even if they still had that, I wouldn't go out of my way to do it again.
Nice video. I live in St. Paul and have flown them several times to Cozumel Mexico. I like their planes, friendly staff, and the fact they are in Terminal 2 Humphrey. I would fly them again. Sun Country has changed hands several times recently, so hopefully the new owners support the great Minnesota base and employees. I think they have a bright future. Think of the way Southwest began. I think they are on the right path and can do great. I do like their planes and the livery. And you also get the Minnesota nice staff. They are hard working and dedicated people. Nice video.
I've flown Sun Country Airlines > San Diego to Minneapolis St.Paul Minnesota , They Used To Fly Minnesota To St.Louis Missouri on night flights back to Minnesota on full moon flights the moon light off the lakes was awesome .
I wasn't aware Sun Country even had first class. They were all coach for many years. I guess they've decided to return to their roots. I used to fly them quite regularly back in the 80's and 90's. Their fleet was all 727s and DC-10s. As much as I like DC-10s, the Sun Country DC-10s in all coach/economy had like 9,000 people (exaggerating) on them with absolutely no leg room. The takeoff rolls were long, the planes always shuddered upon rotation, and the landings weren't very subtle. Their 727s had suprisingly good leg room for the all coach configuration and were very comfortable and smooth. There were exceptions but the DC-10s were usually on the MSP-LAS flights and the 727s were usually on the MSP-LAX flights.
Hey Paul, I am 17 years old and live in Switzerland. It also means a lot to me to watch your videos, I never miss a single one :) I never flew a different airline than Swiss but I will start to study at the Icelandic Filmschool in Reykjavik next summer. So I will for sure travel BA, Easyjet, SAS and Icelandair a lot :) Greetings, Samuel
Sweet! I've not flown the airline, but you passed over a lot of my old stomping grounds. And the first time I flew into Boston-Logan (from NYC), it was quite foggy on the approach. Unbeknownst to myself, the tall ships were converging into Boston for an event that very day. We suddenly popped out of the fog over the Harbor and I was was quite astonished and disoriented to see it filled with old sailing ships. Had we gone through a time warp in that fog?! What a treat! :D
Thank you so much for reviewing some of our US domestic airlines. I took my first plane ride in over 35 years, from South Bend, IN to Phoenix, AZ, all on Delta Airlines. My connecting flights were in Detroit and Minneapolis. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience on all these newer aircraft, Airbus A-321, Boeing MD-90 and Bombardier CRJ-200, all first time planes for me.
Love seeing you in the Midwest, Paul. Hope we treat you well, cheers! I surprised my dear sweet mother with an upgrade on her flight from MSP back to Florida and she said they made her feel very special and important.
As of April 2021 Sun Country Airlines has been purchased by another Boeing 737 operator Southwest Airlines and all Sun Country aircraft will be repainted and upholstered in Southwest Airlines format by May and Southwest will expand their presence at MSP. Also at 2:25 it’s A McDonell Douglas DC-10 not an MD-11 no winglets or middle landing gear assembly.
That juice is almost certainly lingonberry. If you’ve ever been to Sweden, it’s the cranberry-looking stuff they serve with most meals. Tastes a lot like cranberry too. Very good as a jam or as a side with any kind of meat dish. You don’t see it much in North America, but if you do it will probably be here in Minnesota as we have a very strong Swedish/Norwegian influence.
@@pwbmd yep, that, along with Swedish chocolate, meatballs, a special type of cookie, and frozen Norwegian fish are the food items I stock up at in IKEA
I saw my house as you flew over the Boston area!! Absolutely love your channel, this video was super cool since I doubt I’ll ever get a chance to fly that airline.
Last time I flew them was in the 90's. MSP-ORD, RT. I think the ticket was like 120$. I had to go through a travel agent as they called Sun Country a charter airline. The aircraft was a B727. It was great service but the plane was visibly worn out. Upon landing back into ORD, the overhead compartments literally shook as if they were going to fall from the ceiling. It also had red and orange fabric and yellowed wall panels in kind of a flannel pattern. Overall it just was a cheap way for a college kid like me to do a weekend visit while doing my schooling at Worsham in Chicago. I'm glad to see they've survived and expanded.
Seriously can’t get enough of your trip reports Paul. I really hope your big announcement in January is not about you wanting to shut this channel down or something 🙏 I honestly get such an enjoyment and motivation to travel from your videos. Please please PLEASE keep it up bro.
You asked for ideas about that beverage served with your coffee. I believe it was Ligonberry which would connect to Minnesota’s Swedish and Norwegian immigrant heritage
Fed-Ex MD-10-30 You can tell by the additional landing gear in the center that it's not a MD-10-10, but it has no winglets so it's not an MD-11. Unless you're talking about the one already on the ground, that one IS an MD-11.
You're welcome for the subscribing - we are always here for you to enjoy your journeys and support your fantastic reviewing ^v^ honestly I loved this one especially, just a quiet, "homely" type flight with spectacular views and your friendly commentary to match. I also do love it so much when airlines and other transport operators name their vehicles something special, and the idea of naming them after lakes (also Frontier's animal planes you reviewed earlier) is cool! Awesome video Paul :)
I actually live near Minneapolis-St. Paul and fly out of there about once a month. Never have flown out of terminal 2 and have never flown Sun Country (flown Delta, United, American, and Air Canada out of MSP). I personally would never think to fly Sun Country as I hear a lot of complaints. However I do have to say that was a pretty good deal for your flight. Sun Country also doesn't have optimal flight schedules and an adequate destination portfolio to fulfill my needs. In other words they're not catering to my type of coustomer. Like you say they serve warm weather destinations at affordable rates. As I rarely go to a destination that would be a direct flight (even on Delta) I need an airline that provides optimal scheduling for connecting flights. I do have to give Sun Country credit for having a more diverse portfolio of "warm weather" destinations than Delta such as their destinations in California and the southeast. Personally I don't think of Sun Country as an airline that represents Minnesota; I mean its name is Sun Country. I would've said the now defunct Northwest Airlines is the Hometown Carrier.
Sun Country was recently purchased by some bogus company that decided to make a ton of unnecessary changes to the airline. It isn't as great as it once was
I concur. Last flew them Feb '18 MSP-MAZ. They were going through all their crew & vendor changes, etc. Weren't sure we'd fly. We were mid-forward to MAZ, where seat space was tolerable, return was aft - A LOT less space. :-( Our family has had horrible luck with Spirit (out of MPS T2) & will NEVER fly them again nor recommend them to anyone. I primarily fly Delta (purchased Northwest). It's had its moments. Best wishes & thank you Paul!
Now they are also flying for Amazon which is another way to diversify their earnings. They eventually want to have around 50 to 60 planes and fly to even more destinations. Perhaps that entails a new hub or focus city as there is only so much they can do with MSP terminal 2.
@@ps4peace I’d like to say I have had more than a normal amount of issues with Delta, and mainly the bag transfer system when connecting at ATL. I’d say SWA, JB, AK, and UA are the way to go!
What you said: Their check-in is across from the door. What I heard: Their chicken is across from the door. 😂😂😂 Hearing is not my strong-suit. Thank you for your awesome reviews!! Been looking forward to trying this airline.
Paul< Came across this video today. I live in Minneapolis. Sun Country used to be a favorite of mine to fly to Las Vegas for very reasonable fare. If you flew on or close to your birthday Sun Country would upgrade you for FREE to 1st class. It happened to me twice and I was trilled. Also if you checked into the airport early and first class was available, you could upgrade for a 100.00. Always made me happy. Now that they are a no frills airline like Spirit. I would rather fly Delta!
Nice vid! I worked ground for Sun Country when you flew to BOS. Recognize some of the guys! As far as how it’s been since it all went economy, it was rough at first, but has since added free WiFi (entertainment only, movies shows, etc), USB power plugins, multiple destinations added, and new interior in some aircraft. I no longer work there, but I’m still work at MSP and usually fly with them when I can. Again, nice video!
My first ever flight at 10 years old was on Sun Country, i was told a charter flight, from MSP to LAX. Went with a small group to help decorate Rose Parade floats! wouldv'e been '91 and if my memory serves correct, the livery then was white with yellow stripes. Also, tiny known fact; there is an unmarked (unremarkable) lookout tower in the MSP airport to watch planes better than at a gate.
Ah I used to work at Stansted and Sun Country used to operate a flight to Minneopllis every Saturday using a 737.. This is going back several years ago (2010/2011) but the flight used to make a stop over on the east coast of Canada,I think it could of been Halifax (I could be wrong!) But like Air Asia they ended up going to Gatwick. None the less great video Paul. Enjoy your adventures around the world!
So funny, their first class was just like it was on the old PSA airlines back in the 70’s. Used to fly it all the time up and down the west coast and to Reno NV. We loved it. I didn’t realize they still had 1st class on those small airplanes and low budget airlines? Wish they would keep it going.
Enjoyed your review, my wife is one of many ex Sun Country Employees. They are as bizarre internally as they are to the consumer. Thanks for posting. My son and I were flying out of MSP the same day you were here on AA MSP-MIA.
Interesting, I have seen Sun Country aircraft in my many travels to Las Vegas and Phoenix but never knew much about them. I figured they were some sort of leisure carrier. This gave me some insight as to what they are all about. Surprised they had a first class product.
sun country did some charters to Trinidad and Tobago in the west indies. I must say they are a very good airline . I have had the pleasure of working for them through the service provider .
Another great flight Paul. Although they are ditching 1st class I liked the comment about a home-grown style airline like Sun Country which hasn't been swallowed up by one of the major carriers. More power to them and the cold breakfast looked great! Looking forward to your flight to Washington DC...one of my favorite cities in the USA and make sure you visit the Flight Museum at the Smithsonian while you are there! Its sensational!
Paul, great video as always! ...you shouldve gone to the aircraft viewing area at MSP it is really cool, it is situated in middle of the field so you get a good view of the runways, also that Sun Country and Southwest terminal 2 at MSP always seems to be empty :)
I've not flown on SY in a long time. They pulled out of my most frequent routes. The old configuration and business model suited you well, Paul. The new one puts them in a near-Spirit/Frontier level of service. The locals aren't too thrilled about these changes, but what can we do? Fly Delta...or Southwest...perhaps? As always, great review, Paul!
I flew on the Lake George in that exact same seat a few years ago LAX-MSP a few years ago. I loved their first class service. It used to be you could upgrade for $49, then later for $99 in the last 24 hours before takeoff.
Sun Country first class was a great bargain. It averaged about $120 more per leg, but you got those big seats up front, a nice little meal and a freshly baked cookie served warm for dessert. Plus free cocktails that seemed to be unlimited. I wish they at least still had a "big front seat" offering like Spirit. I hate being crammed into a 3x3 seat.
Looks like this flight took you pretty close to my neck of the woods (Albany, NY). We have an "International" airport here but I don't think I've ever seen one scheduled. Its pretty light on amenities too. Biggest feature in the airport is the only Chick-fil-A within 100 miles or so. Too bad it's past security.
Sun Country flies over here in PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA also. I am a flight-simmer, and I collect real-life pilot wings. I received a pair of sun country wings from a pilot on break there.
We just flew Sun Country from MSP to PIE (always between 50-60 bucks one way) and let me tell you it is so much more convenient than flying to/from Tampa!!! Smaller airports is way to go.
In September 2020 my wife and I flew Sun Country from MSP to LAX and it was entirely coach by then. Quality was definitely a step down from Delta or United but the cost was more than worth it. For a low-cost carrier it was much better than Spirit Airlines.
From a Minnesotan, Sun Country used to be great. Excellent service, direct routes, etc., but that was the past. A couple of years ago, the owners sold the airline to a private equity group, which quickly began doing what private equity firms do best (cut costs, everywhere, regardless on the impact on service, maximize profits). I can no longer recommend flying them any more than any other budget American carrier (Spirit, Frontier, etc.). They used to be a cut above these budget carriers, but their current management seems to be hell bent on stooping to the lower levels of the typical American budget airlines.
Just started watching your videos and I really enjoy them. I thought it was hilarious that you touch the door frame for good luck as I always do that as well. I thought I was the only one who did that !
Paul Spomer yea, especially because the “Mall Of America” and the celebrity hotel is right next to the airport. I could understand why the people complain though, it’s really loud hearing 4 engines go over your head.
I remember them flying out to Las Vegas from Minneapolis, Chicago and St Louis years ago. Then they reorganized and stopped the cheap flights into Las Vegas. They were cheaper than Southwest.
