Sun Country Carry-On Rules: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re planning to travel with just a carry-on, you’ll need to be up to speed with your airline’s carry-on policy.  Each airline’s rules are different, so don’t just assume what works for one, will work for all airlines.  This is especially true if you’re flying a low-cost airline, like Sun Country.

Low-cost airlines may have lower base fares, but if you aren’t careful, you’ll end up paying more because of all the “a la carte” fees they have.   These include fees for both checked and carry-on luggage (as well as seat assignments, beverages, printing your boarding pass, etc..). This is especially true when flying Spirit or Frontier Airlines.

In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Sun Country’s carry-on policy. This includes Sun Country’s carry-on size and weight limits, liquid policy, personal items, pets, prohibited items, and other rules and restrictions you should know before boarding your flight.

Sun Country Carry-On Size and Weight Limit

Sun Country allows one personal item onboard at no charge, but they charge for both carry-on and checked bags.  The personal item must fit under the seat in front of you, and the carry-on bag must be stowed in the overhead bin or it will have to be checked.

Sun Country Airlines Carry-On Size (Dimensions)

Sun Country’s size requirements for a carry-on are 24″ x 16″ x 11″.

Carry-on bag fees vary based on when you purchase and are non-refundable.  The following are the fees you will pay for your carry-on, each way, depending on your destination.

• During Booking: up to $30
• Before & During Online Check-In: $35
• At the Airport: $40

If you aren’t sure what size your carry-on is, Sun Country provides “size check templates” located at their ticketing counters and departure gates.

However, by the time you get to either of these locations, it may be too late. If your bag is too big, you will have to check it (and possibly pay a fee), so it’s better always to know your bag size and the airline size restrictions in advance.

Carry-On Weight Limits

Sun Country requires your carry-on bag to be less than 35 pounds.

Recommended Carry-On Bag

If you are looking for a great carry-on bag when flying Sun Country, I recommend the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Expandable Spinner. I have used this carry-on for years. It’s durable, reasonably priced, and holds everything I need for shorter trips. Plus the spinner wheels make it very easy to get through the airport quickly.

Sun Country Personal Item Size

Personal items include a purse, briefcase, laptop, backpack, or a similar-sized item.  Dimensions must not exceed 17 x 13 x 9 inches.

Carry-On Liquids: Sun Country Liquid Policy

The rules for carry-on liquids are set by the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), not by the airline.  Sun Country doesn’t have its own specific Liquids Policy, they just enforce the rules and policies of the TSA.

It’s also important to note that the rules for bringing a “liquid” in your carry-on bag differ from those that govern what you can bring in your checked luggage. Liquids in a carry-on bag must be 3.4 ounces or smaller and fit in a 1 quart-sized container. Anything larger must be placed in your checked baggage.

The TSA 3-1-1 Rule

You may carry liquids, gels, and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels, and aerosols. Common travel items that must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule include toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, perfume, mouthwash, deodorant, and lotion.

Any liquid that does not meet the TSA 3-1-1 rule will either have to be checked with your luggage or will be thrown away at the security checkpoint.

Here is a little video to help illustrate this:

Exceptions to this rule are certain medications and baby food/child nourishment.

Carry-On Food

The TSA also sets the rules for what type of food you can bring on the plane. There are two different scenarios pertaining to food: 

• The food you bring with you from home, and
• The food you buy at the airport after you have gone through security.

When bringing food with you from home, an important thing to note is the classification of liquid vs. solid foods.  

The general rule is “If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it, or pour it, then it’s considered a liquid or gel,”.   This means your food may be considered a liquid and will fall under the TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule, which mandates that any liquid, gel, cream, aerosol, or paste in a carry-on must be 3.4 ounces or less, and fit in one quart-size resealable bag (only one such bag is allowed per passenger).

Here’s a link to the TSA website advising what food can be brought with you on your Sun Country flight.  This applies to food you are bringing from home through security.   Once you get through security, you can bring just about any food on the plane you buy at the airport.

Sun Country Carry-On Pet Policy

Sun Country Airlines allows Small dogs and cats may travel in the passenger section of the plane on flights within the U.S. 48.

Sun Country does not allow pets to be checked as baggage.

If you are going to bring a pet on board with you, it must be able to fit in a small, ventilated pet carrier that fits under the seat in front of you.  Your pet carrier cannot exceed 16″ x 10″ x 8″.

Carry-On Pet Fees

Here is a chart showing the pet fees Sun Country charges each way.   Double them for a round-trip flight.

To/From Destination	Pet Fee Each Way
Pet Reservation Made in Advance	$ 75.00
Pet Reservation Made at Check-in	$100.00

A maximum of four pets are allowed per flight, and only one pet per ticketed traveler is allowed.  Always make sure there is space for your pet when you purchase the tickets.

TSA-Approved Pet Carrier for Sun Country

If you do plan on bringing your pet with you, make sure you follow TSA’s pet policy and have an approved Pet Carrier that conforms to Sun Country’s pet policy.

I have traveled with 2 dogs over the last 10 years, one was a 20 lb. Shih Tzu-Bichon (in the picture above) and another is a 12lb. Chihuahua mix. We used the Sherpa pet carrier when bringing them on a flight with us and it worked great!

Prohibited and Dangerous Items

There are certain items that are considered dangerous and classified as a hazardous material. Dangerous goods are prohibited from both your carry-on and checked bag on all flights. These rules are not specific to any airline and are mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Prohibited Items:

Here is a list of items that are considered dangerous goods and are strictly prohibited on United Airlines flights:

• Firearms and ammunition
• Self-defense sprays, such as mace and pepper spray
• Explosives, including fireworks and flares
• Flammable liquids, including gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene
• Poisonous, infectious, or radioactive substances
• Knives and sharp objects (pocket knives, cutting instruments, razors, ice picks, carpet knives, metal scissors, box cutters, or similar items) 
• Any alcoholic beverage with more than 70 percent alcohol
• Camping equipment containing flammable liquids or gasses 
• Hoverboards, including electric skateboards, balance boards, gravity boards, and self-balancing devices
• Medical or liquid oxygen 
• Torch lighters, lighter fluid, strike-anywhere matches, and fire starters
• Wet-cell batteries

Restricted Items:

The following items are not considered “dangerous goods” and are allowed when packaged properly, in accordance with TSA regulations:

• Knitting/scissors
• Hiking or trekking poles
• Hair dryer/Straightener
• Hair spray
• Sunscreen/bug spray
• Batteries
• Food as a carry-on
• Fishing hooks
• Fragile glass items

It’s important to note that this is not an exhaustive list and that the TSA’s rules and regulations are subject to change. Additional prohibited or restricted goods and materials can be found in the following resources:

• IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations
• TSA Permitted and Prohibited Items
• FAA Packsafe List

Sun Country Carry-On Size and Fees

Here is a link to Sun Country’s Carry-On page to make sure you have the most up-to-date information.

More related articles…

1. 5 Tips to Travel with Just One Bag
2. How to Use Packing Cubes to Travel with Just A Carry-On
3. The Best Carry-On Bags for Regional and Small Jets
4. 5 Essential Things to Stay Organized While on The Road