Monterey welcomes Sun Country: Seasonal flights from MSP

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) is set to introduce Sun Country Airlines (NASDAQ: SNCY) to its roster, offering new direct flights between the Monterey Region and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) in Minnesota, commencing on Thursday, August 8, 2024. Operating on Thursdays and Sundays until November 3, 2024, these seasonal flights mark Sun Country as the fifth airline to serve MRY.

Sun Country’s introduction of the MSP-MRY route extends leisure travel opportunities from the Midwest to the Central Coast. Scheduled to land at MRY around 4:30 p.m., these flights offer leisure travelers the chance for an extended weekend getaway to explore the attractions of the Monterey Region. Departing from MRY at 5:30 p.m., the flights back to MSP will be facilitated by Sun Country’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

“World-renowned Carmel-by-the-Sea is excited about welcoming visitors from Minneapolis with this new nonstop route. The relaxed convenience of flying direct and arriving at your charming Carmel inn within minutes from Monterey Airport sets the perfect tone for a Carmel-by-the-Sea getaway,” stated Amy Herzog, Executive Director of Visit Carmel.

Minneapolis/St. Paul and the surrounding area offer an abundance of year-round outdoor activities, scenic lakes, arts and entertainment, the Mall of America, and terrific restaurants, making it a perfect vacation destination for travelers from our region. The new service is timely for those that want to enjoy the fall colors of Minnesota’s “Land of 10,000 Lakes.”

“Connecting Minneapolis-St. Paul and Monterey County is a tremendous opportunity for both leisure and business travelers,” said Rob O’Keefe, president & CEO of See Monterey. “The connection creates an easy getaway for travelers who want to explore places like Big Sur, Pebble Beach and Salinas Valley. Plus, there are a significant number of Fortune 500 corporate hubs such as Best Buy and Target which can benefit from incredibly inspiring meetings and conferences in our destination.”

“Minnesotans will be eager to visit Monterey for the scenic California coastline and access to picturesque Carmel-by-the-Sea, the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, and golfers’ course bucket list Pebble Beach,” said Grant Whitney, Sun Country Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer. “Sun Country and our Minneapolis-St. Paul community will warmly welcome visitors from Monterey to Minnesota, where you’ll experience great fall weather, scenic lakes throughout the city, outdoor activity, pro sports, and a terrific entertainment and restaurant scene.”

“We are extremely excited to welcome Sun Country service to Monterey,” said Michael La Pier, Executive Director of Monterey Regional Airport. “This new service will offer an affordable and convenient way to connect the two regions. As always, it is vitally important that we support this new service fully so we can enjoy the new access it provides for many years to come. We look forward to growing with Sun Country Airlines.”

« Back to Page