Sun Country Airlines is in a legal battle with a labor union over how to pay pilots who train other pilots, at a time when the leisure carrier is canceling scheduled flights because it lacks enough people to fly them. Minnesota's Sun Country was acquired by Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel in May — a key factor in triggering a sudden departure of pilots. In June 2024, the union filed a grievance demanding training pilots receive the higher pay. The union is criticizing Allegiant and Sun Country for bringing the matter into court, saying the training pilots are getting shortchanged. Larson, the Sun Country pilot and union leader, said in a statement last week training pilots "continue to assume additional responsibilities to prepare the next generation of Sun Country aviators."