Sun Country Carry-On Rules: Sizes, Fees & Tips (2026)

Sun Country Airlines is a Minnesota-based ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) operating leisure-focused routes primarily from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), with seasonal service to sun destinations across the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Like Frontier, Spirit, and Allegiant, Sun Country uses an unbundled fare model — the base ticket price covers your seat only, and virtually everything else, including overhead bin carry-on access, costs extra.

Understanding Sun Country's carry-on policy before you book is critical. Getting caught at the gate with an unpaid carry-on can cost significantly more than purchasing the allowance upfront.

Sun Country Carry-On Allowance at a Glance

Item	Dimensions	Weight	Fee
Personal item (included free)	Fits under seat in front	None	Included
Carry-on bag (overhead)	24 × 16 × 11 in (61 × 41 × 28 cm)	No limit	Paid add-on required

The Base Fare: What Is and Is Not Included

Sun Country's base fares — often marketed simply as the lowest available fare — include:

• Your seat on the aircraft
• One personal item that fits under the seat in front of you (a small backpack, purse, laptop bag, or similar)

The base fare does not include:

• Overhead bin carry-on access
• Checked luggage
• Seat selection
• In-flight food or drinks
• Changes or cancellations

This is the ULCC model in practice. Sun Country's low headline fares compete directly with Spirit and Frontier for price-sensitive travellers who plan to travel light. If you need more than a personal item, you will pay extra.

Personal Item Rules

The personal item that comes free with every Sun Country fare must fit under the seat in front of you. Sun Country does not publish a specific maximum size for the personal item, but the standard airline under-seat space is roughly 18 × 14 × 8 inches (46 × 36 × 20 cm). A laptop backpack, small daypack, or handbag will generally qualify.

Critically, the personal item must go under the seat — not in the overhead bin. If you place your personal item in an overhead bin, ground staff may reclassify it and charge the carry-on fee.

Carry-On Bag Size Limit

When you purchase carry-on access, your bag must not exceed:

• 24 inches long × 16 inches wide × 11 inches deep
• 61 × 41 × 28 cm

There is no published weight limit. The dimensions allow a standard carry-on rolling suitcase or large soft-sided bag. Most mainstream carry-on luggage sold in the US will fit within these dimensions — check the specific measurements on any roller bag before travel.

Sun Country does not operate sizers at the gate as uniformly as some carriers, but agents may ask oversized bags to be checked, which adds fees. Measure your bag before travelling.

Carry-On Fees and When to Buy

Sun Country's carry-on fee is dynamic and increases as departure approaches:

• At booking (online): Lowest price — typically in the $25–$45 range depending on route
• After booking (via manage booking): Moderate price — slightly higher than booking price
• At check-in (online): Higher price
• At the airport / gate: Highest price — can be $50–$65 or more per bag

The consistent advice: add carry-on access at the time of booking if you know you need it. The gate is the worst time to pay. Sun Country's website and app make it straightforward to add a carry-on to your booking at any point before the gate.

Prices also vary by route. Longer routes and more popular leisure routes (Cancun, Las Vegas, Hawaii) tend to carry higher bag fees than shorter domestic hops.

Priority Boarding and Carry-On Strategy

Sun Country offers priority boarding as an add-on purchase. If you have a carry-on and are not in the first boarding group, overhead bin space may be limited by the time you board. Purchasing priority boarding alongside your carry-on access reduces the risk of running out of overhead bin space and being asked to check your carry-on at the gate.

Passengers who purchased Burst Seats (exit rows, front cabin seats) typically board in the first groups and have better overhead bin access.

What If the Overhead Bins Are Full?

If you board with a paid carry-on add-on and the overhead bins are full, Sun Country will gate-check your bag to your destination at no additional charge. Gate-checked bags are returned to you at the jet bridge after landing, not at the baggage carousel.

Sun Country Seating and Bundles

Sun Country sells bundles that combine multiple add-ons. If you need a carry-on, seat selection, and other services, check whether a bundle offers better value than buying each add-on individually. Bundle availability varies by route and availability.

Restricted Items

Standard TSA and FAA rules apply on all Sun Country flights:

• Liquids: 3-1-1 rule — containers up to 3.4 oz (100 ml) in a single 1-quart clear bag
• Lithium batteries and power banks: Must be in carry-on, not checked luggage. Power banks over 100 Wh require airline approval; over 160 Wh are prohibited.
• Sharp objects, firearms: Checked luggage only, with proper declaration
• Oversize or overweight items: Must be checked with appropriate fees

Tips for Sun Country Passengers

Budget the full cost at booking. When comparing Sun Country's base fare against Southwest, Delta, or United fares, add in your expected carry-on and seat selection fees. The total cost may be comparable — or Sun Country may still be cheaper. Either way, know your true fare before committing.

Pack into your personal item. If you can fit everything into a small backpack or personal item, you ride for the base fare. Many Sun Country leisure travellers on weekend trips do exactly this, saving $40–$65 each way.

Use a luggage scale at home. While Sun Country has no carry-on weight limit, it's good practice to stay aware of bag weight for comfort during travel and to avoid exceeding any threshold Sun Country introduces in future policy updates.

Check the carry-on fee before the gate. Log into your booking online before arriving at the airport. Adding the carry-on online is always cheaper than paying at the gate.

Consider checked baggage math. On some Sun Country routes, a checked bag may cost only marginally more than a carry-on add-on. If you are packing more than fits in a carry-on, checked baggage may offer better value per item.

The Bottom Line

Sun Country Airlines is a lean, leisure-focused ULCC where carry-on overhead bin access is not included in the base fare. The allowed bag measures 24 × 16 × 11 inches with no weight limit. Always add carry-on access at booking — gate fees are significantly higher. A personal item fitting under your seat rides free with every ticket. Pack smart, buy early, and Sun Country's low base fares make sense for budget-conscious leisure travel out of Minneapolis-Saint Paul and other Sun Country hubs.

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Carry-on rules are subject to change. Always verify current policy at suncountry.com before travel.