What it’s like to fly Breeze Airways from Vero Beach
Some scenes from flights from Vero Beach Regional Airport to Westchester County Airport on Nov. 10 and 20, 2023.
- Breeze Airways may be adding new direct flights from Tallahassee to Fort Lauderdale and Raleigh, N.C.
- The potential new routes are being reported by an aviation blogger and a trade website.
- Tallahassee officials recently approved a $10 million incentive package to recruit new air carriers.
An aviation blogger and an airline trade website are reporting that Breeze Airways may soon be announcing new service out of Tallahassee International Airport.
Though the reports are unconfirmed, the low-fare, Utah-based carrier may be rolling out two new direct flight routes from Tallahassee to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Raleigh-Durham International Airport, according to SimplyFlying.com, which bills itself as “the leading independent voice for aviation news and insight.”
“These will have a strong focus on the US Southeast, including adding two new cities to the network, continued expansion at its fastest-growing base, as well as increased intra-Florida flying,” said the Feb. 20 Simply Flying article. “It all serves to further cement Breeze Airways as the fastest growing carrier in the US.”
The site is sourcing an X post by @IshrionAviation, a site devoted to “delivering the first coverage and scoops on new airline routes and other route developments.” The blogger said the new routes appeared briefly on their website before being removed.
The idea of a new service option is already feeding the online appetites of residents hungry for more routes as screenshots and links to the report bounce around social media. Over the years, TLH airport has been widely criticized for its lack of carrier options and high ticket fares.
The potential new routes come on the heels of this week’s decision by the Tallahassee City Commission to create a framework for implementing a $10 million incentive package as a recruitment tool for new carriers.
In an interview with the Tallahassee Democrat prior to the commission’s approval, Tallahassee International Airport Director David Pollard said the airport was “very close” to landing additional providers.
When asked if there would be an announcement of new service this year, he said, “Ideally.”
Pollard has not yet commented on the Breeze Airways possibility when contacted by the Democrat as of Feb. 21; nor has City Manager Reese Goad.
Simply Flying acknowledges the flight routes have not been formally announced by Breeze.
“But the post by Ishrion Aviation is a very reliable source, as they have a long history of delivering the first coverage and scoops on new airline routes,” the article said.
In October 2024, JetBlue Airlines pulled out of the capital city market due to underperformance of its sole flight to Fort Lauderdale. A year later, Silver Airways, a regional carrier, filed for bankruptcy and stopped operations in June.
That leaves only four routes from American Airlines and a single route from Delta to serve the capital of the third most populous state in the United States.
Tallahassee Chamber chair reacts to reports: It ‘makes sense’
Eddie Gonzalez-Loumiet, chairman of the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, said direct flights to Fort Lauderdale and Raleigh make sense from a business perspective.
“I know Breeze Airways is aggressively trying to expand, especially into Florida, which makes sense with all of the economic development across the state of Florida,” said Gonzalez-Loumiet, a partner at Ruvos, a data exchange and healthcare technology company in Tallahassee.
He said South Florida has a booming technology sector that can be “an efficient way to create a bridge between our area, North Florida, South Georgia and there,” adding North Carolina is attractive on the same front.
From a business perspective, he said one of the main questions potential new businesses ask about is flight options, especially direct flights to certain cities.
“I don’t know how it happened but I’m excited,” Gonzalez-Loumiet said. “I’m looking forward to it, honestly.”
What is Breeze Airways?
The low-cost, Utah-based airline kicked off in 2021 with a flight from Tampa to Charleston. It was founded by CEO David Neeleman, who also helped start four other airlines: JetBlue, Morris Air, WestJet and Azul Linhas Aereas.
Breeze bills itself as the “seriously nice” airline with super-cheap air fares if you just buy a ticket with no frills. Travelers wanting “extras” such as checked and carry-on bags, seat selection, more legroom, and changes or cancellations can pay fees to get them. The airline focuses on secondary airports and bypasses some hubs for “faster travel times,” Breeze’s site says.
Neeleman previously was involved in founding four other airlines: JetBlue, WestJet, Morris Air, and Azul Linhas Aereas.
According to its website, Breeze focuses on providing “efficient and affordable flights between secondary airports, bypassing hubs for shorter travel times. Our flights include seamless booking, no change or cancellation fees, up to 24 months of reusable flight credit, and customized flight features, including complimentary family seating, delivered via a sleek and simple app. We make it easy to buy and easy to fly.”
The ultra-low-cost airline added almost two dozen routes to the Sunshine state in 2025, including new service to Fort Lauderdale.
The Simply Flying article notes the carrier’s explosive growth.”If you’re struggling to keep up with all the new places that Breeze Airways is flying to, you’re not alone. The carrier’s eye-catching blue Airbus A220-300s are becoming omnipresent at airports large and small across the US. This year alone, Breeze has announced 14 new additions coming to its network later this year, and started flying on six new routes, including its first international destinations,” the site reported.
“But the Utah-based carrier isn’t stopping there. Aviation blogger Ishrion Aviation has given early notice of 12 new routes that Breeze plans to add later this year. These will have a strong focus on the US Southeast, including adding two new cities to the network, continued expansion at its fastest-growing base, as well as increased intra-Florida flying. It all serves to further cement Breeze Airways as the fastest growing carrier in the US.”
Which Florida airports does Breeze service?
Breeze currently services 11 Florida airports:
- Daytona Beach International Airport, DAB
- Fort Lauderdale International Airport FLL
- Jacksonville International Airport, JAX
- Key West International Airport, EYW
- Orlando International Airport, MCO
- Palm Beach International Airport, PBI
- Pensacola International Airport, PNS
- Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, SRQ
- Southwest Florida International Airport (Fort Myers), RSW
- Tampa International Airport, TPA
- Vero Beach Regional Airport, VRB
Contact Economic Development Reporter TaMaryn Waters at [email protected] and follow @TaMarynWaters on X.
