If you miss a Sun Country Airlines flight, the airline’s policies, as outlined in their Contract of Carriage and applicable regulations such as the U.S. Department of Transportation rules and EU Regulation 261/2004 for flights to or from the EU, will apply. Sun Country is a U.S.-based low-cost carrier operating flights across the United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Below is an overview of what happens and your options when you miss a flight, based on available information.
No-Show Policy
If you miss your flight without notifying Sun Country Airlines at least one hour before departure, you are considered a "no-show." This typically results in the forfeiture of the ticket value, and subsequent flights in your itinerary, such as return or onward flights, may be canceled. Most Sun Country fares are non-refundable, and rebooking may require purchasing a new ticket.
- Notification: To avoid no-show penalties, contact Sun Country at least one hour before departure via their Customer Service, website, mobile app, or airport counter. Prompt notification is crucial to explore rebooking options or preserve the ticket value.
- Fees: No-show results in the loss of the ticket value for non-refundable fares like Standard or Economy. A no-show fee may apply for rebooking, plus any fare difference, depending on the fare type and route.
- Impact on Itinerary: Missing a flight may lead to the cancellation of the entire reservation, as Sun Country treats the itinerary as a single contract.
Rebooking Options
If you miss a flight due to reasons within your control, rebooking is possible but subject to availability and fare rules. You can rebook through the Sun Country website, mobile app, Customer Service, or airport counter. Additional charges may include:
- Change Fee: A fee is charged for rebooking a missed flight, typically a flat fee per guest plus any fare difference. For same-day confirmed changes, a fee applies, except for certain fare types or elite status holders.
- Fare Difference: You must pay any difference between the original fare and the new flight’s fare. If the new fare is lower, no refund is provided.
- Standby: If you miss your flight but arrive at the airport shortly after, you may request a standby flight to your destination, subject to availability. Sun Country does not guarantee standby flights, and a fee may apply.
If you miss a connecting flight due to a delay caused by Sun Country, and both flights are on the same booking, the airline will rebook you on the next available flight at no additional cost, as required by the Canadian Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) for large airlines or EU Regulation 261/2004 for EU flights. They may also provide meals, accommodation, or transport for significant delays within their control. For separate bookings, Sun Country is not responsible for missed connections, and you may need to purchase a new ticket.
Compensation and Refunds
Refunds or compensation for missed flights are limited due to Sun Country’s low-cost model:
- Non-Refundable Tickets: Most fares, such as Standard or Economy, are non-refundable if you miss the flight, resulting in the loss of the ticket value.
- 24-Hour Cancellation Rule: You can cancel within twenty-four hours of booking for a full refund, regardless of fare type, if the flight is at least seven days away, in compliance with U.S. Department of Transportation regulations. This does not apply to missed flights but can prevent no-show issues if you know you’ll miss the flight.
- Airline-Caused Delays: If you miss a connecting flight due to a Sun Country delay within their control (e.g., mechanical or staffing issues) and arrive three or more hours late, you may be entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004 for flights departing from the EU, ranging from two hundred fifty euros to six hundred euros, depending on flight distance. For U.S. flights, you may request a refund for the unused portion or rebooking without fees. The Sun Country Airlines Travel Protection Plan may also reimburse up to seven hundred fifty dollars for airfare or accommodations if delayed three hours or more.
- Airport Taxes and Fees: If you miss a flight, you may request a refund for taxes and fees, subject to an administration fee, within a specified period.
- Special Cases: Active-duty military personnel deployed overseas may benefit from reduced penalties with appropriate documentation. Life-altering emergencies, such as medical issues or bereavement, may warrant flexible treatment, subject to verification.
Steps to Take if You Miss a Flight
If you miss your flight, follow these steps:
- Contact Sun Country Airlines immediately via their Customer Service, Manage Booking portal, mobile app, or airport counter to explore rebooking options or confirm travel on subsequent flights.
- Review your ticket’s fare rules on the Sun Country website under Manage Booking to understand applicable fees and refund eligibility.
- If the missed flight was due to an airline-caused delay, submit a compensation or refund request via the Sun Country website or Customer Service, providing your booking reference and supporting documents like receipts.
- For tickets purchased through a travel agent, contact the agent directly for changes or refunds, as Sun Country may not assist directly.
- Check in online twenty-four hours to one hour before departure, as counters close one hour before domestic flights and earlier for international flights, to avoid missing check-in deadlines.
Additional Information
For flights departing from the EU, if you miss a connecting flight due to an airline-caused delay and arrive three or more hours late, you may be entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004, provided the delay was within Sun Country’s control (e.g., technical issues). Compensation is not provided for extraordinary circumstances, such as weather or air traffic control issues. Sun Country’s customer service has faced criticism for slow response times and challenges with rebooking or refunds, as noted in reviews on platforms like AirlineRatings, which may affect missed flight resolutions. For example, passengers have reported issues with rebooking on other airlines or locating luggage after missing flights due to airline errors. The Sun Country Airlines Travel Protection Plan offers additional coverage for delays or missed flights, reimbursing up to seven hundred fifty dollars for airfare or accommodations.
