The history of Sun Country Airlines dates back to 1982, when it was founded as a charter airline in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The airline was initially owned by a group of private investors, and began operating flights to destinations in the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean. In 1983, the airline was purchased by the Minnesota-based holding company, Cambrian Corporation.

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In the early years, Sun Country was primarily a charter airline, operating flights for tour operators, sports teams, and corporate travelers. The airline's first scheduled flight was in 1984, when it began flying passengers between Minneapolis and Las Vegas. Over the next few years, the airline expanded its route network to include additional destinations in the United States and Mexico.

In 1987, the airline was purchased by the Carlson Companies, a Minnesota-based hospitality and travel company. Under the leadership of Carlson, Sun Country began expanding its route network to include more destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico, as well as additional destinations in the United States. By the early 1990s, the airline had grown to become one of the largest charter airlines in the United States.

The airline's fleet consists primarily of Boeing 737-700 and 737-800 aircraft. Over the years, the airline has also operated a variety of other aircraft, including McDonnell Douglas MD-80s and Boeing 727s. The airline currently operates a fleet of 35 aircraft.

Sun Country's first major milestone came in 1995, when the airline launched its first trans-Atlantic flight, from Minneapolis to London. The flight was a success, and the airline soon began operating additional flights to Europe. In 1997, the airline was the first to introduce all-inclusive vacation packages, which allow passengers to pay a flat fee for their entire vacation package.

In 2002, Sun Country was the first airline to offer passengers the ability to book their flights online. This allowed passengers to easily book their flights without having to call the airline or visit a travel agent. The airline also began offering in-flight Wi-Fi service in 2005, making it one of the first airlines in the world to offer such a service.

In 2008, Sun Country was acquired by the Dallas-based private equity firm, Apollo Global Management. The new management team made a number of changes to the airline, including reducing the size of its fleet and expanding its presence in the leisure travel market.

The airline has been involved in a number of incidents over the years, including a 2003 crash of a McDonnell Douglas MD-80 in St. Paul, Minnesota. The crash resulted in the death of two people and injured dozens of others. The airline was also the subject of a federal investigation in 2012, after it was accused of violating safety regulations. The airline was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing.

In recent years, Sun Country has continued to expand its route network and introduce new services, such as a loyalty program and seat selection. The airline also launched a new website in 2015, which makes it easier for passengers to book their flights. As of 2020, Sun Country is one of the largest leisure airlines in the United States, flying to over 50 destinations throughout the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe.