Breeze Airways Launches First International Flights Starting January 2025

TAMPA, Florida — Breeze Airways, a U.S. startup airline founded by David Neeleman, has announced plans to launch international flights for the first time. These new routes aim to attract sun-seeking travelers from several U.S. cities to popular destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean.

The airline’s seasonal service kicks off on January 10 with a Saturday-only flight from Norfolk, Virginia, to Cancun. This will be followed by routes between Charleston, South Carolina, and Cancun starting January 17. Breeze will also introduce Saturday flights from New Orleans to Cancun on February 7 and from Providence, Rhode Island, to Cancun a week later.

Additionally, in March, Breeze plans to initiate service from Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina to Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Flights from Tampa to Montego Bay will begin on February 11.

Breeze Airways received regulatory approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct international flights. According to Lukas Johnson, Breeze’s chief commercial officer, this makes Breeze the first sizable U.S. airline to receive such certification since Virgin America was acquired in 2016.

The startup airline currently serves 81 cities with 291 nonstop routes, focusing on areas with minimal competition. Johnson expressed optimism about the international expansion, referring to the new routes as “an exciting starting point for us.”

Fares for the new routes will start at $99 one way, with additional demand for premium-class seating. Johnson noted that many passengers often choose to upgrade to more expensive seats on subsequent flights.

This international initiative marks a significant milestone for Breeze, growing its network and connecting underserved U.S. airports to vacation hotspots. The airline is looking to expand its services further after recently being granted flag carrier status from the U.S. Department of Transportation.