North America's low-cost airline, Sun Country Airlines, will begin offering nonstop flights between Oakland International Airport (OAK) and Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport (MSP) from May 23, 2024, to Sept. 1, 2024, officials announced this week.

Flights will run twice a week on Sundays and Thursdays aboard its Boeing 737 aircraft. Departures from Oakland at 11:59 p.m. will arrive in Minneapolis at 5:35 a.m. local time, while departures from Minneapolis at 8:55 p.m. will land in Oakland at 10:58 p.m. 

The Minneapolis-based low-cost carrier was voted best North American low-cost airline at the World Airline Awards at June's Paris Air Show. It operates 120 routes serving 104 airports across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. The carrier is the fourth airline to announce service to OAK this year, according to the Port of Oakland.

“Oakland International Airport welcomes Sun Country Airlines," Port of Oakland interim director Craig Simon said. “The new service will bring in visitors to the San Francisco Bay Area for summer holidays as well as provide a new choice for those traveling eastbound from OAK."

"Minnesotans love Northern California," Sun Country Airlines Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Grant Whitney said. “We are excited to expand our service to the East Bay area. It will provide travelers with easy access to the Wine Country and California’s national parks.” 

Bay Area travelers may also transfer at Minneapolis to other Sun Country Airlines destinations. The carrier also announced upcoming summer routes to Montreal, Quebec, and Toronto, Ontario, in Canada, as well as Albuquerque, New Mexico; Billings and Missoula, Montana; Boise, Idaho; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Syracuse, New York; and Washington, D.C., via Dulles International Airport.