What Sun Country Airlines has committed to in writing when your flight is delayed or cancelled, summarized from its customer service plan, contract of carriage and tarmac delay plan. Most of these commitments apply only when the cause is within Sun Country's control.
The short version
- A meal voucher only after a controllable delay of 4 hours or more, later than most airlines.
- A hotel when available for controllable overnight delays, but not in the city where your trip started.
- Rebooking on Sun Country only, possibly from a nearby airport. No other airlines.
Sun Country at a glance
For delays and cancellations within Sun Country's control.
| Rebooking on Sun Country | Yes, at no cost |
|---|---|
| Rebooking on another airline | No |
| Meals | Yes, after 4 hours |
| Hotel for an overnight delay | Yes, with conditions |
| Transport to the hotel | Yes |
| Credits, points or vouchers | None committed |
| Cash compensation | No |
When the delay or cancellation is Sun Country's fault
These commitments apply when the cause is within the airline's control, such as maintenance, crew or its own systems. See controllable vs. uncontrollable delays.
Rebooking on Sun Country
Rebooked on the next available Sun Country flight at no additional cost, if requested. The next flight may originate from a nearby alternate airport.
For uncontrollable situations, re-accommodation on the next available flight is the only thing offered. Customer service plan dated January 22, 2025.
Rebooking on another airline Not committed
Not offered. The contract of carriage states that in no event will Sun Country reimburse a passenger for travel purchased from another carrier.
Contract of carriage updated January 1, 2026. If Sun Country cannot provide acceptable alternative transportation it refunds the unused value.
Meals
Meal voucher redeemable at any establishment that sells food and accepts the vouchers, for controllable delays of 4 hours or more.
Not provided for uncontrollable situations. Contract of carriage: for mechanical delays exceeding 4 hours (domestic) or 8 hours (international), limited expenses are reimbursable only with itemized receipts.
Hotel
Hotel accommodations provided when available if a flight is delayed for a reason within Sun Country's control and overnight accommodations are needed. In rare cases Sun Country may instead reimburse reasonable overnight accommodation expenses.
No lodging when the delay takes place in the originating city on the reservation. Itemized receipts required for reimbursement. Not provided for uncontrollable situations.
Transport to and from the hotel
If ground transportation to and from the provided overnight accommodations is not available, Sun Country reimburses reasonable ground transportation expenses.
Itemized receipts between the airport and hotel required.
Credits, points or vouchers Not committed
Sun Country's customer service plan does not commit to travel credits or vouchers for delays or cancellations.
Cash compensation Not committed
No cash compensation. The contract of carriage states Sun Country has no liability for delays, misconnections or cancellations beyond a refund of the unused value.
Contract of carriage updated January 1, 2026. The customer service plan states Sun Country assumes no responsibility for personal or business expenses resulting from a delay, cancellation, missed connection or schedule change.
When the cause is weather or air traffic control
For disruptions outside Sun Country's control, expect rebooking on Sun Country's own flights and little else: the meal, hotel and compensation commitments above generally do not apply. Ask anyway about discounted hotel rates, and check whether your own trip delay cover pays. If you are not sure the cause really is weather, see how to check.
Refunds
Whatever the cause, if Sun Country cancels your flight, or delays or changes it significantly (three hours or more domestic, six or more international), and you choose not to travel, you are entitled to a refund to your original form of payment under US rules. You do not have to accept a credit instead. See the DOT refund rule.
Tarmac delays
- Passengers get the opportunity to deplane before a tarmac delay at a US airport exceeds 3 hours (domestic flights). Exceptions: the pilot-in-command determines deplaning would jeopardize safety or security; air traffic control advises that returning would significantly disrupt airport operations; or a departing flight begins returning to a disembarkation point within the time limit. Sun Country will make every reasonable effort to comply in the event of a diversion to any US airport.
- Passengers get the opportunity to deplane before a tarmac delay at a US airport exceeds 4 hours (international flights).
- Adequate food and potable water no later than 2 hours after the start of the tarmac delay.
- Operable lavatory facilities, adequate medical assistance if needed, and comfortable cabin temperatures maintained using the aircraft APU. Passengers kept informed when the tarmac delay exceeds 30 minutes, with subsequent updates thereafter. Plan coordinated with Airport Operations, TSA and CBP where applicable.
- Sun Country's tarmac delay plan does not provide any passenger compensation for tarmac delays.
These match the federal rules. See tarmac delay rules.
How to use this at the airport
- Ask the gate agent what is causing the delay, and note the answer.
- Ask for what Sun Country commits to, by name. Many commitments are only provided on request. Here is what to say.
- If you pay for something yourself that Sun Country commits to cover, keep the receipts and claim afterwards. If it refuses, see how to file a complaint with the DOT.
Sources
Summarized from Sun Country's published documents, last checked October 2, 2026. Airlines update these documents, so check the current version before you rely on a specific detail.
- assets.ctfassets.net/2aov1ouggrmn/6inH1oQfSO8nZwyv2La9qF/f3c098bd2573a3224dc9632435f50b0a/SCA-Customer-Service-Plan__22JAN25__CLEAN.pdf
- assets.ctfassets.net/2aov1ouggrmn/6pjlsMvuaBFa9iE7F3qGFF/91b44685006da079165739c0ff850f42/2026-01-27_Contract_of_Carriage.pdf
- assets.ctfassets.net/2aov1ouggrmn/6hcjTUXQcNUyOOpdveRwXw/d9d53cc45a6d45b177af9b26f2c984c3/Sun_Country_Airlines_-_Tarmac_Delay_Plan.pdf
Compare with other airlines
See how Sun Country compares with other US airlines on the airline policies page.
This guide is general information for US travelers, not legal advice. Rules and airline commitments change; check with your airline or the US Department of Transportation for your specific situation.