Breeze Airways Launches $39 Flights from New York and Florida

Breeze Airways, the budget airline founded by JetBlue's David Neeleman, is expanding its signature $39 fares to two new regions—the greater New York area and South Florida.

The airline plans to commence operations to New York's MacArthur Airport in Islip on Long Island and Palm Beach International Airport by mid-February. These cities will be the first new additions since Breeze began its flights in May 2021. From these new locations, Breeze will link to existing destinations, including Norfolk, Virginia; Charleston, South Carolina; New Orleans; and various points in the East and Midwest.

While Breeze's business model emphasizes connections between secondary markets, this new wave of flights places the airline in a more competitive position. However, Neeleman reaffirmed his approach: “We’re providing new nonstop flights on routes where other airlines only offer connecting services,” he stated.

If this sounds familiar, it’s because this marks David Neeleman’s return to the New York aviation landscape, having first made waves in the early 2000s with JetBlue from John F. Kennedy International Airport. At that time, he faced minimal direct competition, as most domestic flights serving New York operated from LaGuardia or Newark Airports.

Islip is located further from New York City than any of the other airports—about 50 miles from the city limits—but it boasts several advantages, including a large local market and a direct rail connection via the Long Island Rail Road to New York’s Penn Station.

Regarding Palm Beach, Neeleman believes it’s logical to provide winter flights to this resort destination, as its airport offers a less congested option compared to Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

With the addition of these new cities, Breeze now serves a total of 18 destinations and will broaden its network to 42 routes. Tickets for these new routes are already available for purchase. The rollout schedule is as follows:

From Long Island to:

• Norfolk—launching February 17 (flights on Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays, and Mondays starting at $39)
• Charleston—launching February 18 (flights on Fridays and Mondays starting at $39)

From Palm Beach to:

• Charleston—commencing February 19 (flights on Saturdays starting at $39)
• New Orleans—commencing February 19 (flights on Saturdays starting at $39)
• Columbus, Ohio—commencing February 19 (flights on Saturdays starting at $59)
• Akron/Canton, Ohio—commencing February 19 (flights on Saturdays starting at $59)
• Norfolk—commencing February 19 (flights on Saturdays starting at $59)
• Richmond, Virginia—commencing February 19 (flights on Saturdays starting at $59)

A fare structure of “Nice,” “Nicer,” and “Nicest”

Breeze offers three fare options: “Nice,” which resembles the basic economy class; “Nicer,” which provides extra legroom, assigned seating, and one free checked bag (which costs $20 for those booking the lowest fares); and “Nicest,” designed for upcoming business class offerings.

Inflight services include light snacks like Kind bars and Utz chips. There are no fees for changing or canceling flights, and any flight credits issued are valid for up to two years.

All new flights will operate using Embraer E190 aircraft, featuring 108 seats. Breeze has also ordered 80 larger Airbus A220s, expected to start service in the first half of 2022.