Allegiant Finalizes $1.5B Sun Country Acquisition, Revolutionizing Budget Travel
In a significant milestone for the U.S. leisure travel sector, Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT) has successfully completed its $1.5 billion acquisition of Sun Country Airlines (NASDAQ: SNCY) on May 13, 2026. This merger, as CEO Gregory C. Anderson states, has established “the leading leisure-focused airline in the United States.” The merger was initially announced in January 2026 and has since received all necessary regulatory and shareholder approvals.
The unified carrier will cater to travelers across an extensively broadened network of nearly 175 cities with over 650 routes covering the U.S., Mexico, Central America, Canada, and the Caribbean. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, Allegiant has now firmly positioned itself as the eighth largest U.S. airline by seats. Both Allegiant and Sun Country brands will continue to operate independently in the short term, ensuring that current reservations, flight schedules, and loyalty rewards — including Allegiant Allways Rewards and Sun Country Rewards — remain unaffected.
Full integration into a single operating platform is anticipated within 18–24 months, or by May 2028 at the latest. This merger comes in the wake of wider consolidation in U.S. aviation, following the downfall of Spirit Airlines in May 2026, and reports of United Airlines exploring a potential deal with American Airlines. For budget-savvy travelers, the Allegiant-Sun Country merger offers an expanded range of affordable flight options and a more competitive leisure travel landscape as we approach the bustling summer 2026 season.
Source: The Points Guy — Allegiant Finalizes Merger with Sun Country