I am looking for some advice regarding what is allowable for a personal item when flying sunwing. We are a family of 4 with two pre teen age children and will be travelling to PV Mexico.
We were planning to each take a standard sized backpack as a personal item (carry on now requires $25 fee per item). Will they require us to pay for these these even if they are not stuffed full? The bags themselves are larger than the dimensions they outline but of course a backpack is soft sided and squishable when not full. Photo of their policy below for reference:

As long as it fits under the seat it will be fine. Our kids school backpacks fit under the seats.

If you booked a vacations package with sunwing no charge for carry on

Charlott we did book a vacation package. I didn’t know this!

Group member yes just read more under baggage..if you fly only and no vacation booked with sunwing then you pay cost for carry on and checked (.. just came back from Costa Rica flight only.)

We just flew to Mazatlán and we’re 2 adults and 2 kids 12/7.
Each had their own backpack and we got one carry on around 5g and we didn’t payed. I don’t know why we didn’t payed and I never asked and the carry on they send it to luggage.

Just got back from Mazatlan with sunwing. You are good with your backpacks. Nothing larger though. And your 1st checked bag is free for all passengers.
Also, they don’t offer snacks or more than coffee/tea/water on the plane without paying. Pack snacks and food.

That's the new rip off now....to charge for overhead carry-on baggage?

Mira only if you are doing flight only and no vacation package

Charlott we just booked a vacation package with sunwing and had to pay for carry on.

Charlott when I read the fine print, that’s what I read too. You are allowed only 1 personal item that must fit under the seat. Any carry on that has to go in the overhead bin you have to pay for.
When I booked I had thought we were only allowed 1 free checked bag for our family of 4 but when I read the fine print I think we are allowed 1 free checked bag each?

Group member yes. .. remember if you have a vacation package book with them carry on and one checked is free...but ifno vacation package booked with them just flying then you pay

Charlott it’s not. A personal item is free along with 1 checked bag BUT have to pay for carry on. I literally just booked a vacation package directly with sunwing and we paid for two carry ons.

Just a thought about sunscreen- I took 4 full size plus some small ones for 2 adults and came home with one. Can’t take on as carry on so we checked one bag. With kids am assuming you’ll need lots and it’s pricey there.

To echo what’s been shared here already, so long as your backpacks will fit completely under the seat you are fine - not in the overhead bins. I did the same on a recent sunwing trip to PV myself. Excellent point by a previous comment regarding larger size sunblock going in the checked luggage. Buying it while there will set you back $$

We flew last week.. one free 23k checked bag and one smaller carryon.. must fit under seat.. I had a larger purse and my hubby had a smaller back pack.. no issues:)
Weird travelling with a big suitcase each lol

On Amazon they have a bag called spirit air travel bag. It’s a bag made to size for spirit airlines. Low cost so sizing will be accurate. Soft sided bag and if you need to really Jam Pack it I suggest vacuum sealing/packing clothes