SY vs UA · 2026 comparison
Sun Country vs United
Sun Country wins on a bigger carry-on, a bigger personal item and cheaper checked bags; United wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare and a more generous carry-on weight limit. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.
Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction
Sun Country
SYWins 3 categories
- A bigger carry-on
- A bigger personal item
- Cheaper checked bags
United
UAWins 2 categories
- A carry-on on its cheapest fare
- A more generous carry-on weight limit
Quick verdict
Sun Country wins on a bigger carry-on, a bigger personal item and cheaper checked bags; United wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare and a more generous carry-on weight limit. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.
- Carry-on size
- Sun Country: 24 × 16 × 11 in · United: 22 × 14 × 9 in
- Carry-on on the cheapest fare
- Sun Country: Costs extra on basic fares · United: Not on some basic fares
- First checked bag (regular economy)
- Sun Country: $34–$45 · United: $45
Side by side
| Sun Country | United | |
|---|---|---|
| Bags | ||
| Carry-on size | 24 × 16 × 11 in | 22 × 14 × 9 in |
| Carry-on on the cheapest fare | Costs extra on basic fares | Not on some basic fares |
| Carry-on weight limit | 35 lb (15.9 kg) | None published |
| Personal item | 17 × 13 × 9 in | 17 × 10 × 9 in |
| First checked bag (regular economy) | $34–$45 | $45 |
| Network | ||
| Alliance | None | Star Alliance |
| Loyalty program | Sun Country Rewards | MileagePlus |
| Main hubs | MSP | ORD, DEN, IAH, EWR, SFO |
Highlighted values are better for travelers. Fees are for U.S. domestic economy flights; on-time data is 2025 U.S. DOT figures for each airline's own flights.
Bags and fees
Sun Country allows a carry-on up to 24 × 16 × 11 in (61 × 41 × 28 cm), and United up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), so Sun Country's is roomier.
Sun Country charges for it on its cheapest fare, while United's Basic Economy can be personal-item only.
Sun Country caps carry-ons at 35 lb (15.9 kg); United publishes no limit.
Personal items: 17 × 13 × 9 in (43 × 33 × 23 cm) on Sun Country, and 17 × 10 × 9 in (43 × 25 × 23 cm) on United.
A first checked bag on Sun Country costs $34–$45 on all Sun Country flights, and a first checked bag on United costs $45 on U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America and Caribbean flights.
Basic economy
Sun Country (Best fare): Fares include only a personal item. Buying a carry-on early is cheapest.
United (Basic Economy): Basic Economy includes only a personal item on most U.S. and short-haul flights. A full-size carry-on is allowed on transatlantic, transpacific and South America routes, and for MileagePlus Premier members and eligible United cardmembers.
Loyalty and where they fly
Sun Country is not in an alliance and United is in Star Alliance.
Loyalty programs: Sun Country Rewards (Sun Country) and MileagePlus (United).
Sun Country's main hubs are Minneapolis (MSP). United's are Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.
Which should you book?
Choose Sun Country if you want…
- a bigger carry-on
- a bigger personal item
- cheaper checked bags
- nonstops from MSP
Choose United if you want…
- a carry-on on its cheapest fare
- a more generous carry-on weight limit
- to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
- nonstops from ORD, DEN, IAH
On a route both fly, the cheaper ticket isn't always the cheaper trip: add the bags you'll actually bring, and check the fare rules before you book.
Sun Country vs United FAQ
It depends on what matters most to you. Sun Country wins on a bigger carry-on, a bigger personal item and cheaper checked bags; United wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare and a more generous carry-on weight limit. If they fly the same route, compare the total price with bags included.
Keep comparing
Bag rules and fees
Other comparisons
Connecting at their hubs
Sources
Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Airlines change their rules without notice, so confirm with the airline before you fly.
- Sun Country Airlines official baggage policy
- Upgraded Points: carry-on size chart for 63 airlines (updated May 16, 2026)
- United Airlines official baggage policy
- CNBC: United raises checked bag fees by $10 (Apr 2, 2026)
- U.S. DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics: 2025 on-time performance by operating carrier (via AviationDB)
- Your Mileage May Vary: where every major U.S. airline stands on Wi-Fi (Oct 13, 2026)
- Simple Flying: how U.S. airline economy seat pitch compares in 2026
Read how we collect and check this data, or tell us if something's out of date.
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