Sun Country Airlines has announced plans to fly weekly service from Minneapolis / St. Paul to London (Stansted) this summer from mid-June to mid-August.  You can read their press release HERE.  This service will include both first class and coach seating on a 737-800 aircraft.  Yes, that’s right.  A 737-800 aircraft is being used. 

No, it isn’t a Boeing Business Jet in disguise.  Sun Country is  planning to have an intermediate stop in Gander, New Foundland in each direction.  That’s right, we’re back to offering service comparable to 1959.  Actually, that’s wrong.  The original 707s used on such services were considerably faster than the 737-800. 

Believe it or not, this service is being sold for $798 not including taxes and fees.  Taxes and fees could add well over $200 to $300 more to the price.   No real bargain there.  Did someone at Sun Country have a dream that Delta wasn’t offering enough service to London and a Beefeater comes along and suggests London Stansted as an ideal airport to use?   London Stansted is 45 miles to the city center of London and lacks a tourist friendly connection between the airport and city center as well.  Believe it or not, the CEO of Sun Country justifies this choice by mentioning potential connection opportunities with Ryanair. 

Come to think of it, is this Sun Country’s way of announcing they are for sale?

This is going to be painful to watch.

Filed under: Airline News by ajax
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