What Sun Country, Allegiant customers can expect if they merge

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Allegiant Air and Sun Country Airlines have announced plans for a $1.5 billion merger.The combined airline would serve nearly 175 cities and expand Allegiant's reach to international destinations.Both airlines' loyalty programs will be combined into a new program with expanded benefits.Allegiant Air and Sun Country Airlines plan to merge, promising more choices for customers of both budget carriers."This combination is an exciting next chapter in Allegiant and Sun Country's shared mission in providing affordable, reliable, and convenient service from underserved communities to premier leisure destinations," Allegiant CEO Gregory C. Anderson said in statement announcing the $1.5 billion deal on Jan. 11. "Together, our complementary networks will expand our reach to more vacation destinations including international locations."The airlines collectively serve 22 million customers a year. Currently, Allegiant only flies domestically, while Sun Country also serves cities in Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.The deal still has to be approved by federal regulators and the shareholders of both companies, but here’s what travelers can expect if Sun Country is folded under Allegiant's umbrella.What does the merger mean for Sun Country customers?If the deal is approved, customers would get access to the full slate of destinations across both airlines.That’s nearly 175 cities, with more than 650 total routes. Currently there is nearly no overlap between routes, as "each airline has carved out its own niche," according to aviation analytics company Cirium.The newly combined company would keep Allegiant’s name, but Allegiant and Sun Country would continue to operate separately until the Federal Aviation Administration grants them a single operating certificate, according to a joint news release from both airlines."There will be no immediate impact to ticketing, flight schedules, and travel experience, or the Sun Country brand, and customers can continue to book and fly with Allegiant and with Sun Country as they do today," adds the news release.When is the deal expected to close?The airlines expect the deal is expected to close in the second half of 2026.What will happen to Allegiant, Sun Country loyalty programs?Allegiant’s Always Rewards and Sun Country Rewards would combine into a new loyalty program with "expanded frequent flyer and membership benefits" according to the airlines."Supported by Allegiant’s award-winning loyalty program, travelers will gain greater opportunities to earn and redeem rewards across a significantly larger network," a Sun Country spokesperson told USA TODAY.Where does Allegiant fly?Allegiant serves destinations in the following states:AlabamaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColorado FloridaGeorgiaIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisiana MaineMaryland MassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWhere does Sun Country fly?Sun Country serves cities in the following states:AlaskaArizonaCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutFloridaGeorgiaIdahoIllinoisIndianaKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWisconsinWyomingThe airline also flies to Puerto Rico and St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands.Its international destinations include:ArubaBelizeCanadaCayman IslandsCosta RicaDominican RepublicHondurasJamaicaMexicoSt. Maarten(This story has been updated with new information.)