Skip to main content

JetBlue Founder’s Breeze Airways to Serve Off-the-Beaten-Path Airports

airport airplane luggage carryon
Yousef Alfuhigi

Air travelers love and love to hate budget airlines. Some swear by the likes of Spirit and Frontier for their almost impossibly low airfares, while others would rather pay a little extra for luxuries like bottled water and non-pay-toilets (kidding … but only barely). Later this year, one more low-cost carrier will join the fray, and it’s already promising to be “the world’s nicest airline.”

So far, the details are thin. What we do know is that the all-new Breeze Airways is backed by JetBlue CEO and serial entrepreneur David Neeleman. His goal is to fly underserved airports throughout the U.S. In his words, he’s looking at destinations “that bigger airlines overlook.” This is likely to include cities without major direct flight options or those that are secondary airports to a major city (Think Providence, Oakland, and Mesa/Phoenix). In the official statement earlier this month, Neeleman said, “I would be very surprised if a single [Breeze] route had non-stop service competition. There are literally hundreds and hundreds of city pairs that are crying out for non-stop flights.”

Recommended Videos

Plenty of budget airlines have come and gone over the last few decades in the United States. Breeze Airways, however, looks to have all the right DNA. The airline is the fifth to be launched by Neeleman, whose portfolio includes Canada’s WestJet, Brazil’s Azul, Morris Air (acquired by Southwest in 1993), and, of course, JetBlue. Given that JetBlue consistently ranks high in customer satisfaction, he clearly knows a thing or two about building a successful airline.

Breeze Airways — formerly code-named “Moxy” — has been in the works for years. However, it just filed its official application for operations with the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration. It’s also ordered 60 Airbus A220-300 aircraft and plans to lease more than two dozen Embraer E195 jets from Azul. The latter are likely to arrive in the next few months. While a launch date has yet to be announced, the airline could take to the skies later this year.

The first routes are likely to take off in and around Breeze Airways’ headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah. Neeleman confirmed that it will probably operate more regionally versus offering nationwide routes.

While Breeze Airways promises to be “a breath of fresh air” in the industry (Get it?), get the low-down on what you’re actually paying for when flying with existing budget airlines.

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
This surprising state just ranked No. 1 for summer road trips
Minnesota offers road trippers endless adventures
Minneapolis

When it comes to epic summer road trips, most people think of California’s coastline or the wide-open highways of Texas. But the top spot for summer road trips this year? It’s Minnesota.

According to WalletHub’s latest ranking, Minnesota edged out all 50 states thanks to its winning combo of affordability, safety, and non-stop summer fun. The Land of 10,000 Lakes is a dream for outdoor lovers, with some of the country’s highest spending on parks and recreation and the third-most fairs and festivals per capita. Translation: there’s always something cool happening.

Read more
The perfect New England hotel just reopened in Kennebunkport — here’s why you should go
The beautiful Breakwater Inn reopened on July 1
Breakwater Inn

If you’re craving a classic New England summer, Kennebunkport, Maine, is calling. This charming coastal town is famous for its laid-back beaches, busy harbor, affordable lobster rolls, and small-town charm that feels straight out of a postcard. Long known as a summer retreat for the Bush family, Kennebunkport offers coastal elegance and the quintessential New England experience.

And now, there’s an even better reason to visit. The beloved Breakwater Inn just reopened on July 1, 2025, after a full-scale renovation that breathes new life into this historic waterfront property. Perched where the Kennebunk River flows into the Atlantic Ocean, the inn has been thoughtfully refreshed while preserving its 1880s cottage charm.

Read more
This city just ranked #1 in the world for Instagram-worthy coffee culture
Here's where coffee lovers should consider traveling
Cup of coffee

A new study analyzed Instagram engagement and café density across 70 global cities to determine which destinations are best for coffee lovers seeking an Instagram-worthy experience. After analyzing over 150 million Instagram posts using various coffee and beverage-related hashtags, the research revealed 10 "coffee capital" cities that are perfect for java junkies.

The study evaluated each city using price analysis of 10 coffee varieties, total café counts, and Instagram hashtag volumes for location-specific coffee content. Cities were ranked using a weighted methodology prioritizing affordability (40%), social media engagement (30%), and café accessibility (30%) to identify locations offering great coffee experiences.

Read more