Summary
- Breeze Airways, founded by David Neelman, is a startup airline that operates a fleet of narrowbody aircraft and plans to become an international carrier.
- The airline has received approval for International Supplemental Operations from the FAA, with plans to start in the Caribbean, followed by Hawaii and Europe.
- Breeze Airways refers to its operational model as “premium leisure” and has a three-cabin configuration for its A220 aircraft.
Breeze Airways is one of many startup airlines that began during the lull in flight operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The airline began operations three years ago and is one step closer to becoming an international carrier.
The airline is the brainchild of serial entrepreneur David Neelman, who also serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). It operates a fleet of narrowbody aircraft, including the Airbus A220 and the Embraer ERJ-190 and 195. The airline utilizes the 3,800 NM (6,110 km) range of the A220 to operate transcontinental US routes and plans to fly to warmer destinations this winter.
FAA Approval
Breeze Airways has yet to receive full “flag” status from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to categorize it as an international airline. However, it has received approval from the regulatory body for International Supplemental Operations.
Photo: The Global Guy | Shutterstock
The new approval allows the airline to conduct charter operations to foreign countries and other unscheduled air operations. It’s a midway point before flag status is granted. Neelman told FlightGlobal that he expects the FAA to grant the airline full “flag” status “by the end of the summer so that we can sell the winter season for new international markets.”
Lukas Johnson, Breeze Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, said that the Caribbean would be the first international destination in the future, followed by Hawaii and European destinations such as the UK and Ireland.
Simple Flying has contacted the airline for a statement regarding further plans and the additional capabilities granted by the FAA.
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Easy breezy
The airline refers to its operational model as “premium leisure.” It currently serves 56 destinations within the US and has bases in the following cities:
- Charleston (SC)
- Hartford
- New Orleans
- Norfolk
- Orlando
- Providence
- Provo
- Tampa
Photo: Airbus
Fort Myers will join the airline’s list of operating bases in October this year. The airline plans to launch its international services from Providence, Rhode Island. From this launch point, the A220, which the airline will use for its international flights, can reach countries such as Iceland, Ireland, England, Scotland, and the Netherlands, among others.
The airline’s A220 aircraft are operated in a three-cabin configuration, which it dubs “nice, nicer, and nicest.” Its first class service is Breeze Ascent, in which the seats are configured in a 2-2 layout. The premium economy and economy cabins are configured in a 2-3 layout in the A220 and a 2-2 layout in the ERJs.
Breeze Airways isn’t a fan of the low-cost carrier title, with Neeleman saying:
“We’re an upgraded experience that really resonates with our customers. Don’t call us a low-cost carrier. We have industry-leading ancillary revenue and industry-leading NPS scores. Usually, those two metrics don’t go hand in hand.”
The airline has been operating since 2021 and recently turned a profit for the first time in April this year. The airline has continued to grow, constantly increasing flight routes and frequencies as more aircraft are delivered.
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