Sunshine Airport

Sunshine Airport is the first course of the Star Cup in Mario Kart 8 and the first airport course in the Mario Kart series. It takes place in an airport on an island. Airplanes can be seen parked and taking off. Sunshine Airport is themed after Super Mario Sunshine. It has references to Shine Sprites visible throughout the course, as well as a reference to Super Mario Sunshine in the course's name (due to the word "Sunshine" in "Sunshine Airport"). The European release date for Super Mario Sunshine (October 4th, 2002) is also referenced by a serial number on some storage crates in Sunshine Airport (55402MS).

Course layout
The course begins in the terminal. After a hairpin turn, players will exit the terminal by taking a jump onto the Tarmac. After this, there is a small jump over a conveyer belt, after which the track proceeds under a jetliner. Once passing under the jetliner, a ramp leads to a raised track which then turns left. The track then splits into two alternate paths; one where a jump can be taken onto the wing of a plane, proceed through it and come out on the other wing, or one where the jump is not taken so the player drives under the plane. Shortly after, players will take a left turn, and then hit some boost panels leading to a gliding section. The gilding section ends at a very short anti-gravity section suspended in the air, which loops around to another gliding section. Players will land on a track that goes straight and then turns left and re-enters the terminal. There is one last right turn to the finish line.

At the finish, on the right a board can be seen, including names of other tracks, being among others Dolphin Shoals and Sweet Sweet Canyon. On the screens around the inside of the airport, a list of departures to other courses, such as Shy Guy Falls and Thwomp Ruins, can be seen. Posters of Water Park can also be seen.

Shortcuts

 * One can cut off the left turn before the first gliding section if one uses a speed boosting item in the correct place.
 * The left turn into the terminal can be cut off if one boosts through the grass.
 * One can drive through an area with conveyors carrying luggage cutting off the final turn.

Trivia

 * At one point a couple of the Koopa rock formation from Koopa Troopa Beach from Mario Kart 64 and Mario Kart 7 can be seen in the background.
 * The jetliners that are all around the airport resemble the Boeing 737, Boeing 747, and Boeing 777 series of aircraft.
 * Oddly, jetliners are only seen taking off, never landing.
 * Inside the airport, an intercom can be heard.
 * Star-shaped islands can be seen in the sea in the background, possibly referring to the Star Cup the course is part of.