Sun Country Airlines, a destination carrier based in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn., will soon offer nonstop flights from its Twin Cities hub to Savannah.
The airline announced Thursday it will begin seasonal service to Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Aug. 27. The service will offer flights departing from Minneapolis/St. Paul on Thursdays, arriving at Savannah/Hilton Head International at 7:45 p.m.
Flights will depart Savannah/Hilton Head International at noon Sundays, arriving in the Twin Cities at 1:52 p.m. The service will operate through Dec. 13, allowing vacation travelers a long weekend to enjoy both Savannah and Hilton Head Island, the airline said in a statement.
Prices start from $129 each way. Vacation packages are also available.
“This new seasonal service will provide the 3 million residents of Minneapolis/St. Paul with direct access to two great leisure markets, Savannah and Hilton Head Island, that may have been out of reach before,” said Greg Kelly, Savannah airport executive director. “This service will also provide seasonal direct access for residents of Savannah and the Lowcountry to a great city and region in the northern Midwest.”
The airline, which flies to 37 destinations from Minneapolis/St. Paul, also announced new service to Gulfport/Biloxi, Miss.
“Savannah and Gulfport are both beautiful communities that strengthen our roster of destinations,” said Larry Chestler, executive vice president of Sun Country. “Growing our non-stop service … to these new coastal destinations gives our passengers even more great options for vacations, be it a golf getaway, a casino trip or a family beach vacation.”
Sun Country Airlines was founded in 1982 when a group of pilots and flight attendants from the defunct Braniff International formed their own airline with the help of businessmen in the Twin Cities.
By June 1, 1999, the airline had become a scheduled carrier. After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Sun Country halted scheduled operations in late December 2001. A group of investors bought Sun Country and resumed flying in early 2002.
Since July 2011, the airline has been owned by members of the Davis family of Minnesota, who also own Cambria, a manufacturer of premium countertops.
Sun Country has been recognized for its passenger service, ranking among the top 10 domestic airlines by Travel+Leisure for five years in a row and by Condé Nast Traveler three years in a row.