Sun Country Pet Policy

Sun Country accepts pets (small dogs and cats) only in the aircraft cabin on flights within the 48 contiguous states in the U.S. However, service animals can travel free of charge in the passenger cabin with disabled passengers. 

Sun Country does not accept pets:

• On international flights 
• On flights to/from Anchorage, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico 
• For interline travel
• As checked or cargo baggage. 

Refunds for pets denied transportation may be subject to a service fee. Alternatively, you can rebook without paying a service fee, but you’ll have to pay the applicable fare difference. 

Sun Country Pet Policy—In-Cabin Pets

Sun Country accepts only small dogs and cats in the passenger cabin. The pet (incl. carrier) is considered as carry-on baggage and included in your regular carry-on allotment. 

• Pet Weight. Must not exceed 16lb/7.27kg (incl. pet carrier).
• Pet Carrier Requirements
  • The pet carrier must be airline/IATA approved. 
  • Must not be larger than 16in (Length) x 11in (Width) x 8in (Height).
  • Must be leak-proof and well-ventilated on at least 2 sides. 
  • Both hard- and soft-sided carriers are allowed.
  • The pet must be able to easily stand up and move around inside the carrier.
  • The pet carrier (incl. pet) must fit under your front seat.
• Pet Reservations
  • Sun Country accepts advance and walk-up pet reservations (subject to availability). 
  • Advance reservations are recommended.
  • Call to make a reservation for your pet.
• Pet Fee
  • Advance pet reservations cost USD 75 per flight segment.
  • Walk-up pet reservations at the airport cost USD 100 per flight segment (subject to space availability).
  • Pet fees are non-refundable.
• Pets Allowed
  • A maximum of 4 pets are allowed per flight. 
  • Only 1 pet per ticketed passenger is permitted.
  • Only 1 pet per carrier is allowed.
• Restrictions
  • Passengers travelling with pets cannot occupy exit row and bulkhead seats. 
  • Try to book a middle seat as it has the most under-seat space. 
  • The pet must remain inside its carrier at all times.
  • The passenger must apply with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Pet Restrictions 

Sun Country Pet Policy—Pets as Checked Baggage  

Sun Country accepts only the following animals as checked baggage: 

• Certified service animals 
• Animals trained in search and rescue, drug detection, and explosive detection 

Conditions of Acceptance 

• Only certified service animals and search and rescue animals are accepted as checked baggage. 
• Pet Documentation
  • Must have a valid health certificate. 
  • The health certificate should have been issued within 30 days of departure, along with:
    • The passenger’s name and address
    • A statement that the animal is in good health  
    • List the inoculations administered 
    • Date and signature of the veterinarian 
  • The health certificate must be presented at check-in and may be required at the destination airport. 
  • Animals transported during winter (below 45°F temperatures) must travel with an Acclimation Certificate issued by a veterinarian stating that it is accustomed to temperatures below 45°F, along with the lowest temperature the animal may be exposed to (generally 20°F). 
  • The animal owner must state in writing that the animal has been fed and watered within 4 hours of check-in and provide feeding and watering instructions over the next 24 hours. 

• Kennel Requirements
  • Must travel in a USDA-approved plastic ventilated kennel—wood and metal containers are not permitted. 
  • Must have enough space for the animal to sit and stand erect without its head touching the kennel’s roof. Plus, the animal must be able to lie down naturally and turn around easily. 
  • No dimension of the kennel can exceed 40in. 
  • Must have a proper mechanism for closing so that the animal can remain inside the kennel at all times. 
  • Do not place a lock on the kennel door. 
  • The animal must accessible in case of an emergency. 
  • Must contain 2 empty dishes, one for food and one for water. Both dishes must be accessible from the outside for feeding and watering. 
  • Must contain enough absorbent material. 
  • Cat litter in loose form will not be accepted.

Marking and Labeling 

• The kennel must be clearly labeled with: 

• The passenger’s name, address, and phone number
• The animal’s name 

• The animal must wear a tag with the same information as above.
• The pet kennel must have at least one label affixed with LIVE ANIMALS written on it.
  • The size of the lettering must be at least 1 inch in height. 
  • A THIS WAY UP label or arrows must be placed on at least 2 opposite sides of the kennel. 
  • The labels must not block the openings of the ventilation in any way. 

Weather Restrictions

• Sun Country may not accept animals as checked baggage if the temperature forecasts are below 20°F. If the temperatures are below 45°F, the owner must produce an Acclimation Certificate signed by a veterinarian. 
• Pug- or snub-nosed dogs and cats (see below) may not be accepted if the temperatures are above 70°F. Other breeds may not be accepted if the temperatures are above 85°F. 

Dog Breeds

Tibetan Spaniel 

Terrier

Staffordshire Bull Terrier 

Shih Tzu 

Shar Pei 

Pug 

Pit Bull 

Pekinese 

Mastiff Persian 

Lhasa Apso 

Japanese Spaniel (Chin) 

Japanese Pug 

Japanese Boxer

English Toy Spaniel 

English Bulldog 

Dutch Pug 

Chow Chow 

Chinese Pug

Bulldog 

Brussels Griffin 

Boxer 

American Staffordshire Terrier 

American Pit Bull Terrier Boston 

American Bull Dog 

Cat Breeds

Burmese 

Exotic

Himalayan

Persian

Sun Country Pet Policy—Pets as Cargo Baggage 

Sun Country does not allow pets to travel as air cargo on any aircraft.

Travelling with Service Animals on Sun Country 

Sun Country accepts service animals free of charge in the aircraft cabin if they are accompanying passengers with a disability. 

• Service animals are not allowed to occupy a seat or eat off a table tray.
• Service animals must be:
  • Seated in the passenger’s lap or must occupy the passenger’s foot space unless it encroaches into another passenger’s space or goes against the safety requirements of the FAA. 
  • Leashed, harnessed, and/or tethered at all times. 
• Before travelling with a service animal, you must:
  • Fill out and submit the U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form to Sun Country Airlines.
  • Fill out a DOT Service Animal Relief Attestation Form if your flight takes 8 hours or more by confirming that the service animal will not need to relieve itself in a way that causes a health or sanitation issue. 

Note

• If you book at least 48 hours before departure, submit the above-mentioned form(s) in advance to Sun Country Airlines. Otherwise, submit the form(s) at the check-in counter on the day of departure. 
• Sun Country may deny transportation to a service animal that:
  • Acts aggressively or poses a direct threat to other passengers. 
  • Acts disruptively in the airport gate area or aircraft cabin. 
  • Misbehaves in public. 
  • Violates the health or safety requirements of any U.S. federal, U.S. territory, or foreign government.
  • Is brought to the airport without the above-mentioned forms. 

Other Animal Types. Sun Country will accept properly harnessed animals trained to detect explosives or drugs, or search and rescue people if they are accompanied by their handlers. Such animals will be permitted to accompany their handlers in the aircraft cabin free of charge, but will not be allowed to occupy seats. The animals and their handlers must be travelling on official duty and this must be documented in writing to Sun Country’s satisfaction. 

Frequently Asked Questions on Sun Country Pet Policy

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