Breeze Airways Charts New Territory with First International Flights in 2026

U.S. startup carrier Breeze Airways is gearing up to make a significant move in its expansion plans by launching its first international flights sometime next year.

The airline, started by JetBlue founder David Neeleman and launched in May 2021 amidst the pandemic, is venturing into the international vacation travel sector as it begins its fifth year in service.

Breeze will introduce its seasonal overseas service on Jan. 10, 2025, with a Saturday-only trip from Norfolk, Va., to Cancun, Mexico. Next week, on Jan. 17, Breeze will introduce Saturday roundtrips between Charleston, S.C., and Cancun. More Saturday service to Cancun will launch from New Orleans on Feb. 7, then from Providence, R.I., on Feb. 14.

The growth does not end there. Breeze will also link Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina with Montego Bay, Jamaica, with Thursday and Saturday flights in March. Also on schedule is service to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, which will roll out on Wednesday and Saturday departures. As of February 11, Tampa, Florida, travelers will have direct connections to Montego Bay.

This global expansion has taken years in planning, with Breeze collaborating hand-in-hand with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to obtain global certification. Lukas Johnson, Breeze’s chief commercial officer, says that the airline is the first major U.S. passenger carrier to receive this certification since Virgin America, acquired by Alaska Airlines in 2016.

Now operating 81 U.S. cities and 291 nonstop routes, Breeze is further distinguished by the fact that it is the sole carrier on 83% of them. And it continues to repeat this pattern of flying its Airbus A220-300s between underserved cities with few competitors with its new international ones.

Johnson pointed out that the new routes are “an exciting starting point for us,” and he is confident that travelers will be receptive. He noted that fares will begin at $99 one way, but that the airline has also had strong demand for its premium seating. Indeed, a double-digit percentage of Breeze customers opt to upgrade to more expensive, more spacious seats on their second purchase, highlighting the popularity of the carrier’s flexible fare model.

With its foray into mainstream Caribbean spots, Breeze Airways is wagering on a combination of comfort and affordability to entice sun-hungry tourists. The move is not only an extension but also a turning point in the airline’s effort to establish a lasting presence in the intensely competitive U.S. air transportation space.

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