We’ll be honest—we didn’t expect to be this impressed. After years of bouncing between carriers and enduring everything from broken tray tables to zero legroom, flying two new-to-us airlines back-to-back felt like a real experiment. On one end, Sun Country Airlines: a small, budget-friendly carrier we’d never tried. On the other, Delta Air Lines: one of America’s biggest names in aviation that, somehow, we’d never actually flown until now.
Both flights headed to Minneapolis. Both gave us a lot to talk about. And after experiencing each one firsthand, we’re ready to break it all down—boarding process, seats, entertainment, pricing, and everything in between—so you know exactly what to expect before you book.
Whether you’re weighing up a cheap Sun Country fare or wondering if Delta lives up to its reputation, this comparison has you covered.
First Impressions: Spotting the Aircraft
Sun Country
At the airport, spotting the Sun Country plane took a little effort. Once we found it though, the aircraft was easy to recognize—an orange tail featuring a big “S” and sun logo, with blue accents running along the fuselage. It’s a fun, distinctive look that sets it apart from the sea of white and grey planes at the gate.
We flew on a Boeing 737-800, which is a solid, reliable aircraft. For a budget carrier with a fleet of around 30 planes (some of which are leased to Amazon for cargo operations), the plane looked clean and well-maintained. Not bad at all for our first time flying Sun Country!
Delta
Our Delta experience started at an ungodly hour—we were at the DoubleTree near Philadelphia International Airport at 3:42 AM. Yes, really. Delta was actually one of the few major U.S. carriers we’d somehow never flown before, so even the pre-dawn start couldn’t dampen our excitement.
The gate area felt organized, the signage was clear, and the boarding process ran like clockwork. First impressions? Very positive.
Boarding: How Did It Go?
Sun Country
We were assigned Zone 6—pretty much the last group to board. Since we hadn’t paid for checked luggage, we were traveling with four backpacks and a paper bag with our breakfast. Compact packing at its finest! We were slightly nervous about whether everything would meet Sun Country’s personal item rules, but it all worked out fine.
One thing worth knowing: Sun Country does assign seats without charging extra in some cases. We got lucky and were seated together without paying for seat selection. That’s a win you don’t always get with budget airlines.
Delta
Here’s where things got interesting. Since we had no Delta status whatsoever, we were originally placed in boarding group 8—the very last group. Not ideal. But because the flight was full, Delta offered to check our carry-on bags at the gate for free. The moment we accepted, they bumped us up several boarding groups.
Pro tip: If you’re flying Delta with no status and the flight is full, ask about checking your carry-on at the gate. You’ll board earlier and save the overhead bin scramble. It’s a surprisingly good hack that more people should know about!
The actual boarding process felt smooth and efficient. Gate agents were friendly, and the flow of passengers onto the aircraft was well-managed. No chaos, no confusion.
The Seats: Comfort Comparison
Sun Country
Okay, this is where Sun Country really surprised us. The seats were noticeably more comfortable than what you’d find on Frontier or Spirit. Legroom was genuinely decent—for someone around 5’8″, there was still a solid gap between the seat and the row ahead. That’s not something we say lightly about budget airlines!
Each seat had:
- A tray table
- A seat pocket with safety cards and a menu
- A USB charging port
The square-shaped windows were a cool design detail too—small, but a nice aesthetic touch. Overall, the seating experience felt a step above what you’d typically expect from a low-cost carrier.
Delta
Delta’s seats came loaded with features. We’re talking seatback screens, USB charging ports, AND power outlets. There were also two seat pockets at each seat, which felt more practical than the single pocket you get on most other airlines. Everything felt well thought out, and the cabin had a polished, premium feel even in standard economy.
Winner: Delta — but Sun Country puts up a much stronger fight than you’d expect for the price point.
Entertainment: Keeping You Busy at 30,000 Feet
Sun Country
Sun Country’s entertainment system works through your own device. You connect to the onboard Wi-Fi portal, and from there you can access movies, TV shows, games, and even digital magazines. It’s a bring-your-own-screen setup, which works well as long as you’ve got a phone or tablet with you. We settled in, threw on a show, and the three hours flew by.
Delta
Delta’s entertainment was genuinely impressive—and this was one of the highlights of the whole flight. The seatback screens had a huge selection of movies and TV shows, plus Spotify playlists you could listen to onboard. And the Wi-Fi? Fast and free. That’s not something every airline can boast.
Passengers also received free earbuds along with instructions for connecting to the entertainment system. It’s a small touch, but it shows Delta actually thinks about the passenger experience from the moment you sit down.
Winner: Delta — free fast Wi-Fi and seatback screens with Spotify is hard to beat.
Food and Drinks: What’s On the Menu?
Sun Country
Sun Country operates a buy-on-board model for snacks and drinks. The standout option was a snack box for around $9, which included crackers, salami, cheese, bread, cookies, and gummy bears—pretty solid value, honestly. Alcoholic drinks ran between $8 and $9, which is pretty standard for domestic flights.
We actually brought snacks from home, so we didn’t purchase anything onboard. But the menu had a decent enough selection if you wanted something during the flight.
Delta
Delta served complimentary snacks and beverages during our flight. The crew was attentive and professional throughout, making sure passengers were looked after. Nothing over-the-top, but the service felt genuinely warm and caring rather than transactional.
Winner: Delta — complimentary service edges it out, though Sun Country’s snack box is honestly a pretty good deal.
Punctuality: Did They Arrive on Time?
Sun Country
We departed about 10 minutes late from Newark, but here’s the thing—we still landed nearly 20 minutes early in Minneapolis. That’s a win! After landing, we waited briefly for ground staff to connect the jet bridge to the aircraft, but it was only a short delay. Net result: we arrived ahead of schedule.
Delta
Our Delta flight experienced a slight delay before departure due to an issue printing the weight and balance paperwork. Once that was resolved, we took off without further issues. After landing in Minneapolis, there was a minor hold-up because the jet bridge had trouble connecting to the aircraft. Two small hiccups, but neither was really Delta’s fault.
Winner: Sun Country — arriving 20 minutes early is always a good day.
Pricing: How Does the Value Stack Up?
Sun Country
This is where Sun Country really shines. Our group paid $600 total for four round-trip tickets from Newark to Minneapolis during a summer weekend. That works out to $150 per person for a round trip. The fare only covered personal items, but for summer travel on a three-hour flight, that’s genuinely excellent value.
If you pack light and don’t need extras like seat selection or checked bags, Sun Country can be a seriously affordable option for domestic travel.
Delta
Delta pricing varies widely depending on the route, timing, and how early you book. For the features you get—seatback entertainment, free Wi-Fi, complimentary snacks, and a well-run boarding process—many travelers find the price premium worthwhile. That said, Delta fares are typically higher than what you’d pay on Sun Country.
Winner: Sun Country — $150 per person round-trip is hard to argue with.
The Crew: Who Wins on Service?
Both airlines get high marks here. The Sun Country flight attendants greeted every passenger with genuine smiles and maintained that warmth throughout the entire flight. It made the whole experience feel welcoming rather than just functional.
Delta’s crew was equally impressive—friendly, professional, and attentive from boarding to landing. The kind of service that makes you actually look forward to the flight.
Winner: Tie — both airlines delivered standout crew experiences.
Sun Country vs Delta: The Verdict
Here’s a quick summary of how the two airlines stack up:
| Category | Sun Country | Delta |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | ✅ Comfortable for a budget carrier | ✅ Screens, USB + power outlets |
| Entertainment | Bring your own device | Free Wi-Fi + seatback screens |
| Food | Buy-on-board | Complimentary snacks |
| Boarding | Zone-based, no major issues | Smart gate-check hack available |
| Punctuality | Arrived 20 mins early | Minor delays, not airline’s fault |
| Price | ~$150/person round trip | Higher, but reflects added features |
| Crew | Excellent | Excellent |
| Overall | Thumbs up | 8.5/10 |
So which airline should you choose? It really comes down to what matters most to you.
Choose Sun Country if: You’re traveling on a budget, packing light, and just want a comfortable, no-fuss flight to your destination. For the price, it genuinely overdelivers compared to other budget carriers like Frontier or Spirit.
Choose Delta if: You want a more premium domestic experience—fast free Wi-Fi, seatback entertainment, and polished service throughout. Delta justifies its higher price point with a noticeably elevated product.
Final Thoughts: Two Great Options, Different Priorities
Our first flights with both Sun Country and Delta were genuinely enjoyable experiences. Sun Country proved that budget flying doesn’t have to mean miserable flying—the seats were better than expected, the crew was fantastic, and $150 per person round-trip from Newark to Minneapolis is an absolute steal. Delta, on the other hand, reminded us why it’s consistently ranked among America’s top carriers. The free Wi-Fi alone is worth the ticket price for many travelers.
Both airlines earned our recommendation. Sun Country gets a firm thumbs up, and Delta walks away with an 8.5 out of 10. If you’ve been on the fence about trying either of these carriers, stop hesitating—book the flight and find out for yourself!