The much-trailled Breeze Airways will commence operations later this week, with an initial route network covering 39 routes from 16 US cities.
The latest airline from Jetblue founder David Neeleman will launch flights between Charleston, Tampa and Hartford from May 27, with new destinations being added each week through ntil July 22.
Breeze will focus “most” of it flights from four main airports in Tampa, Charleston, New Orleans and Norfolk, and says that 95 per cent of its routes are currently without nonstop service. Fares will start from $39 each way, and a full list of all destinations can be seen below
Base “Nice” fares include a personal item “such as a backpack or purse”, with seat assignment and additional baggage available for purchase, while “Nicer” fares include extra legroom, seat assignment, personal items and carry-on bag, one piece of checked luggage, priority boarding and a complimentary drink and snack.
The carrier will initially operate a fleet of 13 Embraer E190 and E195 aircraft, with a choice of “Nice” or Nicer” seats, the latter offering extra legroom.
From October Breeze will begin taking delivery of 60 new Airbus A220 aircraft, which will be used to serve as-yet-unannounced routes with flight times over two hours. These aircraft will offer wifi connectivity, and a premium cabin with what the airline is calling “Nicest” seats.
Breeze Airways will be Neeleman’s fifth airline start-up after Jetblue, Brazilian carrier Azul, Canada’s Westjet, and Utah-based Morris Air (which was purchased by Southwest in 1993).
Commenting on the launch Neeleman said:
“Together, we created Breeze as a new airline merging technology with kindness. Breeze provides nonstop service between underserved routes across the US at affordable fares. A staggering 95 percent of Breeze routes currently have no airline serving them nonstop.
“With seamless booking, no change or cancellation fees, up to 24-months of reusable flight credit and customized flight features delivered via a sleek and simple app, Breeze makes it easy to buy and easy to fly.
“These 16 cities are just the beginning for Breeze. The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the nation’s air service has meant many secondary markets and smaller cities have seen a significant reduction in flights.
“There are so many city pairs needing nonstop service around the country, we have a further 100 cities under consideration. Flying nonstop, Breeze will get you there in half the time, but also for about half the price!”
The initial Breeze Airways route network
From Tampa Bay:
- Charleston, SC (starting May 27);
- Louisville, KY (May 28);
- Tulsa, OK (June 4);
- Norfolk, VA (June 10);
- Bentonville/Fayetteville, AR (June 17);
- Akron/Canton, OH (June 26);
- Oklahoma City, OK (July 1);
- Columbus, OH (July 3);
- Huntsville, AL (July 22); and
- Richmond, VA (July 22).
From Charleston:
- Hartford, CT (starting May 27);
- Tampa, FL (May 27);
- Louisville, KY (May 28);
- Norfolk, VA (June 10);
- Akron/Canton, OH (July 8);
- Columbus, OH (July 8);
- New Orleans, LA (July 8);
- Pittsburgh, PA (July 8);
- Richmond, VA (July 8);
- Huntsville, AL (July 15); and
- Providence, RI (July 22).
From Norfolk:
- Charleston, SC (starting June 10);
- Tampa, FL (June 10);
- New Orleans, LA (July 15);
- Columbus, OH (July 22);
- Hartford, CT (July 22);
- Pittsburgh, PA (July 22); and
- Providence, RI (July 29).
From New Orleans:
- Charleston, SC (starting July 8);
- Akron/Canton, OH (July 15);#
- Bentonville/Fayetteville, AR (July 15);
- Huntsville, AL (July 15);
- Louisville, KY (July 15);
- Norfolk, VA (July 15);
- Oklahoma, OK (July 15);
- Richmond, VA (July 15);
- Tulsa, OK (July 15); and
- Columbus, OH (July 16).
Breeze also will operate five routes from Columbus, OH; four routes from Hartford, CT, and Pittsburgh, PA; and three routes from Akron/Canton, OH; Bentonville/Fayetteville, AR; Huntsville, AL; Louisville, KY; Oklahoma City, OK; Providence, RI; Richmond, VA; San Antonio, TX, and Tulsa, OK.
