Maybe don't fly Sun County airlines

[Exterous]

Sun County had to cancel flights from Mexico due to the weather. Unfortunately they were the last flights of the season and Sun County has no plans to operate another flight to get them home. They refunded the tickets in full, claiming that fulfilled their contractual obligations. Customers now have to book their own flights home.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/trav...tells-fliers-find-another-way-home/521587002/

I get that plane utilization can be tight especially with small carriers but other airlines have chartered planes in the past for weather, mechanical or strike issues to get customers home.

 

[pete6032]

This will not end well for Sun Country despite the fact that they technically did fulfill their contractual obligations and that buying a ticket from them you agree to only a refund for weather-related delays.

 

[Genx87]

Talk about a PR disaster. If they don't have a plane there are charters available to get their customers. Sun Country is going the way of Allegiant. Their CEO used to be 2nd in command at Allegiant. No more the home town airline.

 

[zzuupp]

People who chose to fly on a bargain basement airline are now inexplicably surprised with its lack of service?
Hmm.

 

[pete6032]

People who chose to fly on a bargain basement airline are now inexplicably surprised with its lack of service?
Hmm.

I wouldn't call Sun County bargain basement. SC is no Spirit airlines. Sure, SC is a lower-cost airlines that mainly flies to tourist destinations, but my experience flying with them has not been any worse than flying American, United, or Delta.

The larger airlines would be able to avoid this mistake more easily since they have more planes at their disposal. SC only has 27 planes according to Wikipedia.

 

[Genx87]

Sun Country is changing. They used to be a home town airline. Friendly atmosphere, competitive pricing, comfortable experience. THey are rolling out a Spirit\Allegiant business model. I have already experienced their new seat layout. What a horrible situation that is.

 

[KillerCharlie]

I stopped flying with them a few years ago because I realized how screwed I'd be if something went wrong. I'm not a huge Delta fan, but at least they have another flight to put you on if something happens

 

[Exterous]

This will not end well for Sun Country despite the fact that they technically did fulfill their contractual obligations and that buying a ticket from them you agree to only a refund for weather-related delays.

Yeah for an airline basically sustained only by people living near MSP the PR hit will hurt big time. Not too familiar with Delta's MSP pricing but they have a huge route network there so changing would be easy from a convenience aspect

People who chose to fly on a bargain basement airline are now inexplicably surprised with its lack of service?
Hmm.

For a long time it wasn't bargain basement. It was sold in late December so most of these people booked before their new CEO decided to destroy the airline (or at least destroy what they expected out of the airline)

 

[pete6032]

Not too familiar with Delta's MSP pricing but they have a huge route network there so changing would be easy from a convenience aspect

Yeah there are a lot of Delta flights going out of MSP. Unfortunately Delta has such a huge monopoly on airport gates that MSP is one of the most expensive airports to fly out of.

https://www.rewardexpert.com/blog/studies/2017-most-and-least-expensive-us-airports/

 

[RLGL]

It is my understanding that Sun Country will reimburse the full amount of the return fare for the stranded people.

Pete6032, Nothing is cheap at MSP !

 

[Brainonska511]

It is my understanding that Sun Country will reimburse the full amount of the return fare for the stranded people.

Pete6032, Nothing is cheap at MSP !

They may be reimbursed the full amount, but I bet a last minute flight will cost a lot more than their original booking.

 

[RLGL]

They may be reimbursed the full amount, but I bet a last minute flight will cost a lot more than their original booking.

i'll buy that statement

 

[Ns1]

I wouldn't call Sun County bargain basement. SC is no Spirit airlines. Sure, SC is a lower-cost airlines that mainly flies to tourist destinations, but my experience flying with them has not been any worse than flying American, United, or Delta.

isn't that the definition of being on a bargain basement airline? It's pretty much fine until it's not.

 

[dud]

This really sucks for those passengers flying SC but my guess is that people will continue using them (and other low-cost airlines) based upon cost. People in general are willing to take the risk of being uncomfortable/inconvenienced to save a few bucks. The airline(s) know this and they write their contracts as such.

 

[RLGL]

Two options for Sun Country:
Charter aircraft from other sources
Send their on aircraft
One problem they may have faced is that they had no way to contact the passengers as the passengers booked through travel agents.
If the passengers had flight insurance all they needed to do was contact the insurance carrier.