Sun Country Airlines Launches New Cancun Nonstops From This U.S. City

We at The Cancun Sun love a good new route—especially when it means more easy escapes to turquoise water and tacos. Today’s win goes to Tulsa: Sun Country Airlines is launching twice-weekly nonstop flights from Tulsa International Airport (TUL) to Cancun (CUN) beginning May 21, 2026—marking the airport’s first-ever commercial international flight.

Sun Country Airlines is launching new twice-weekly nonstop flights from Tulsa (TUL) to Cancun (CUN) starting May 2026, marking the airport's first international route.

The basics: start date, days, aircraft

Sun Country’s TUL–CUN service kicks off Thursday, May 21, 2026 and operates Thursdays and Sundays through the summer season. The airline lists the route on Boeing 737-800 (186 seats), aligning with its leisure-focused schedule extension through September 8, 2026 (which is also when bookings are open through).

This is a big milestone for Tulsa’s air service. Alongside Cancun, Sun Country is also adding Tulsa–Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) with the same twice-weekly cadence, growing the city’s network for both beach-bound vacationers and Midwestern connections.

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Why this matters for travelers

For Green Country travelers, this is a direct beach getaway with no Mexico-city connection and no shuttle over to Dallas or OKC. It also pairs neatly with long weekend trips: Thursday departures, Sunday returns are perfect for an all-inclusive reset without burning too much PTO.

Sun Country has framed this as part of its broader 2026 schedule expansion (115 routes, 100 airports), which typically means introductory sale windows and leisure-friendly timing. If Cancun’s on your list for early summer 2026, this is the kind of route you book early—peak dates sell up first once school lets out.

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What to know before you book

1) You just need your passport (plus a few smart backups).

We recently cleared up the biggest confusion around Cancun entry: your valid passport is the only required document for air arrivals. That said, saving a screenshot of your hotel reservation and return flight is a pro move that can smooth the odd spot-check. We break it all down in our guide to what you need beyond a passport.

2) VISITAX is real—handle it the easy way.

The Quintana Roo VISITAX is a local tourist fee that’s technically mandatory and increasingly checked on departure. Pay it online before you head to the airport and keep the QR code on your phone to avoid last-minute stress. Our no-nonsense explainer has the official link and tips.

3) Low-cost playbook = add-ons.

Sun Country’s model keeps the base fare low and lets you choose extras—think seat selection, early boarding, and checked bags—à la carte. Price out your total (especially if you’re checking multiple bags) so there are no surprises at checkout.

4) Have a Plan B for irregular ops.

Summer thunderstorms anywhere in the network can ripple to Cancun. If your flight is delayed or canceled, follow our step-by-step guide for rebooking, passenger rights in Mexico, and smart alternates like Cozumel + ferry. Save it now, thank yourself later.

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Timing your trip

This route launches right as late-spring shoulder turns to early-summer peak in the Mexican Caribbean. Expect stronger demand around Memorial Day and into June family travel. Booking early gets you better seat choice and resort availability—particularly for popular, family-friendly all-inclusives north of the Hotel Zone and in nearby Costa Mujeres. (We track seasonal trends and airport tips regularly so you can plan like a local.)

What Tulsa flyers can expect at the airport

TUL’s new International Customs Facility—a 45,000-square-foot build designed to process scheduled international flights—comes online in early 2026, in time for the Cancun launch. Expect a modern, streamlined arrival experience when you return from the beach, including family-friendly features and an indoor pet relief area. It’s a major infrastructure step that opens the door to future international leisure routes.

Bottom line

Tulsa’s first commercial international route is straight to one of America’s favorite beach playgrounds—and on convenient Thursday/Sunday nonstops that make a quick reset totally doable. Book early for best prices and resort pick, make VISITAX a two-minute pre-trip task, and save our airport-day playbook just in case. We’ll keep tracking schedule updates and launch-day details as May 21 approach.