Allegiant, Sun Country and Las Vegas
News broke last week that our “hometown” airline, Allegiant Air, has decided it wanted to acquire (merge) with Minneapolis-based Sun Country Airlines in a $1.5 billion deal.
For us here in Las Vegas, it’s a mixed bag of “Great for Growth” and “Wait and See.” Let’s break down the good, the bad, and the reality for your next trip.
The Good: More Ways to Get to the Neon
The best news? This merger creates a leisure-powerhouse headquartered right here in Las Vegas. It’s also probably the first time in a long time that we’ve seen two profitable airlines merge.
Market Access: Allegiant Air has been a domestic player. They built a profitable domestic airline serving smaller Midwest towns and cities that the big boys ignore. They also only fly when it makes sense. Like taking people from snowbound in the Midwest to sunny Las Vegas. Shutting off some of their smaller routes during the summer months. And they do it non-stop.
Sun Country is based in my home state of Minnesota. It has been a mixed bag of an airline. Started out as a charter airline. They were one of the airlines that travel agencies would charter, then sell the discount junkets to places like Las Vegas. Then, as that market started to collapse, they switched over to regular airline schedules.
Like other airlines, cargo is their gold mine. Sun Country was one of the first, during the pandemic, to find profits in shipping for Amazon. Passengers are just filler material on the balance sheets.
By grabbing Sun Country, Allegiant suddenly has access to established routes to sunny vacation-friendly destinations in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
The Midwest Connection: Sun Country is huge in Minneapolis (MSP). This merger opens up a massive “snowbird” pipeline, making it easier and cheaper for our friends in the Upper Midwest to get to Vegas for a weekend.
Combined Rewards: They’ve announced they will eventually merge their loyalty programs. If you’ve been sitting on Sun Country points, you’ll soon be able to use them for those ultra-low-cost Allegiant hops.
The Bad: Less Competition, More Fees?
It’s not all “jackpots and free buffets.” Whenever two airlines become one, there are financial risks for us, the budget-minded traveler.
The “ULCC” Struggle: Ultra-Low-Cost Carriers (ULCCs) are struggling right now. This merger is about survival. While it keeps the airlines alive, it means one less choice for consumers.
The Fee Factor: Sun Country was always known as the “nicer” budget airline (they even still give out free soda!). Allegiant is the king of “pay for everything.” There’s a real worry that the “Allegiant way” will take over, and those small perks we liked on Sun Country might disappear.
Regulatory Hurdles: This is the first big merger test for the 2026 administration. If the DOJ or FAA blocks it, we could see both airlines struggle to maintain their current schedules.
The Verdict for The Vegas Tourist
I’ve only flown Sun Country once, and it was a complete disaster I would rather forget. I have no personal experience flying Allegiant.
For now, I wouldn’t change your travel plans. Both airlines will continue to operate as separate brands until at least the second half of 2026.
The airline gurus tell us that if you see a good deal on a Sun Country flight from MSP or DFW to Las Vegas, grab it. Your points are safe for now, and the flights aren’t going anywhere yet. Las Vegas is still the ultimate destination, and having a bigger, stronger airline based in our backyard is generally a win for the local economy.
That’s it for now.
Mark Anthony
The Vegas Tourist
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