Expansion into Mexico and the Caribbean
Breeze Airways, a U.S. startup airline founded by JetBlue’s David Neeleman, will begin its first international flights in early 2025. The expansion starts January 10 with Saturday-only service between Norfolk, Virginia, and Cancun, Mexico. Additional Cancun flights from Charleston, South Carolina, begin January 17, followed by departures from New Orleans on February 7 and Providence, Rhode Island, on February 14.
In March, Breeze will add Thursday and Saturday flights from Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, to Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Wednesday and Saturday service to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Service from Tampa, Florida, to Montego Bay begins on February 11.
Certification milestone
The international launch follows years of work with the Federal Aviation Administration to secure certification for foreign routes. Breeze is the first new U.S. passenger airline to obtain this approval since Virgin America, which later merged with Alaska Airlines. The move positions Breeze to expand beyond domestic operations while keeping its focus on underserved routes with little to no competition.
Fleet, pricing, and customer response
The airline operates Airbus A220-300 aircraft, targeting markets where larger carriers have limited presence. Breeze currently flies to 81 cities with 291 nonstop routes, and claims to be the only airline serving 83% of them. Fares on new international flights start at $99 one way. Breeze executives note that demand for premium seating has been strong, with repeat travelers increasingly opting for more spacious options despite higher prices.
Strategic outlook
Breeze’s expansion underscores its strategy of connecting secondary U.S. cities to leisure destinations without direct competition. The new routes to Mexico and the Caribbean are seen as a test for future growth, with executives confident in strong customer demand. If successful, the move could mark the beginning of broader international ambitions for the airline as it enters its fifth year of operations.