Breeze Airways Expands to International Markets
In June, the startup airline Breeze Airways received approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) to operate flights to countries covered by Open Skies agreements with the United States. This marked a significant milestone for the company, as it became the first major U.S. passenger airline to achieve this certification since Virgin America, which was acquired by Alaska Airlines in 2016.
Now, Breeze is preparing to launch its first international services in early 2026. The airline has announced seasonal flights to three destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean, pending final government approvals. Additionally, Breeze plans to establish a new crew base in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, to support its growing operations.
A New Era for Breeze Airways
Founded in 2021 by David Neeleman, the founder of JetBlue, Breeze Airways has grown to serve more than 80 domestic destinations. The airline focuses on connecting underserved city pairs, often serving smaller markets that lack direct competition. Approximately 85% of its routes operate without direct competitors.
After years of preparation, Breeze has secured the necessary Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification to operate international flights. Its first international services will begin in the first quarter of 2026, connecting Cancun, Mexico; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
David Neeleman, the founder, said:
“Becoming a U.S. flag carrier is a huge milestone for Breeze, and one that our Team Members have been working tirelessly on for the last three years. We’re excited to bring the same convenience and elevated experience they love about our domestic flights to three exciting new international destinations.”
Seasonal Flights to Key Destinations
All upcoming international flights will be operated using Breeze’s Airbus A220-300 fleet, which is configured with 137 seats. The aircraft’s range and efficiency make it ideal for the leisure-focused routes Breeze is targeting in the first quarter of 2026.
The service to Cancun International Airport (CUN) will be available from four U.S. cities. Starting January 10, flights will be offered from Norfolk, Virginia. Charleston, South Carolina, will follow on January 17, New Orleans on February 7, and Providence, Rhode Island, on February 14. Each route will operate on a seasonal, once-weekly basis.
From Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU), Breeze will also add twice-weekly flights to Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, starting in early March. In addition, Tampa will see the launch of twice-weekly service to Montego Bay on February 11, which will be operated exclusively by Breeze.
Crew Base Expansion and Future Plans
To support this expansion, Breeze is opening a new crew base at RDU in the first quarter of 2026. This will be its 12th nationwide base and will employ around 200 pilots and flight attendants.
Looking ahead, founder David Neeleman has suggested that longer-haul international routes may also be possible. On Aviation Week’s Window Seat Podcast earlier this year, he noted that the A220’s 3,000-mile range could eventually enable services to Central and South America. However, flights further afield, such as to Hawaii, would require Extended Range Operation with Two-Engine Airplanes (ETOPS) approval.
Competition on Select Routes
While Breeze will face competition on some of its upcoming routes, others will be exclusive to the airline. Flights to Cancun from Norfolk, Charleston, and Providence will be served only by Breeze. From New Orleans, however, Spirit Airlines, which is currently in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, plans to operate the same route with more than 2,500 two-way weekly seats in February 2026, according to Cirium data.
Southwest Airlines also operates flights to Cancun periodically with short seasonal runs. In Raleigh-Durham, Breeze will initially face less overlap. Avelo Airlines operated the RDU–Montego Bay route earlier this year with a peak of 744 weekly seats but will suspend the service before Breeze enters. Once Breeze begins operations, it will hold the route exclusively.
In addition, Avelo and American Airlines both operate the Punta Cana Route from RDU. The former plans to return briefly with 572 weekly seats in early 2026, while American intends to fly the route seasonally between November and March with 344 weekly seats. However, both carriers will exit the market before Breeze’s March launch.
