- First International Routes: Startup carrier Breeze Airways will launch its first-ever international flights in early 2026, announcing new routes from the U.S. to Cancun, Mexico; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic [1] [2]. This marks a major milestone for the 4-year-old low-cost airline founded by JetBlue creator David Neeleman.
- Seven New Flights, Six U.S. Cities: Breeze is adding seven nonstop routes spanning six U.S. airports – Charleston (SC), New Orleans (LA), Norfolk (VA), Providence (RI), Raleigh-Durham (NC), and Tampa (FL) – all flying to sunny Mexico or Caribbean destinations [3] [4]. These flights will operate seasonally during winter months to cater to vacation demand.
- RDU Becomes a Crew Base: North Carolina’s Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is a big winner in this expansion. Breeze will make RDU an official crew base (one of just 12 nationwide), creating about 200 new pilot and flight attendant jobs in the Research Triangle region [5] [6]. RDU also gains two new international routes – nonstop service to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic – now possible after Breeze secured U.S. flag carrier status to fly abroad [7] [8].
- Budget Fares from $99: To celebrate the new routes, Breeze is offering promotional fares starting at $99 one-way (while supplies last) under its stripped-down “No Flex” fare category [9]. Passengers get a personal item included, with additional services (like seat selection or checked bags) available for extra fees – a typical low-cost model.
- CEO’s Vision – More to Come: Breeze founder/CEO David Neeleman says the airline is “excited to bring the same convenience and elevated experience [customers] love about our domestic flights to three exciting new international destinations” [10]. Executives hint this seven-route launch is “just the start,” with Breeze eyeing further expansion – including potential flights to Europe (targets like Ireland, Scotland or the Azores) in the future [11] [12].
New Routes to Mexico and the Caribbean
Breeze Airways has pulled the curtain off its long-awaited international debut, unveiling a slate of new flights to popular beach destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean. In total, the airline announced seven nonstop routes that will launch in early 2026 – marking the first time Breeze ventures beyond U.S. borders [13]. The destinations read like a vacation wish list: Cancun on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, the Montego Bay region of Jamaica, and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic [14] [15]. Each route is seasonal and aimed at winter sun-seekers, with most flights operating once weekly (or twice weekly on a couple of routes) during the colder months [16]. This seasonal strategy allows Breeze to tap peak travel demand while avoiding slower off-season periods – a lesson learned from past attempts by others to run year-round international service from secondary cities [17] [18].
Where can travelers catch these flights? The new routes will originate from a mix of mid-sized U.S. airports, reflecting Breeze’s focus on connecting underserved cities to leisure destinations. Here’s the full rundown of Breeze’s upcoming international routes (all slated to begin between January and March 2026):
- Charleston, SC (CHS) – Cancun, Mexico (CUN) – Launches Jan. 17, 2026 (weekly on Saturdays, winter seasonal) [19].
- New Orleans, LA (MSY) – Cancun – Launches Feb. 7, 2026 (weekly on Saturdays, seasonal) [20].
- Norfolk, VA (ORF) – Cancun – Launches Jan. 10, 2026 (weekly on Saturdays, seasonal) [21].
- Providence, RI (PVD) – Cancun – Launches Feb. 14, 2026 (weekly on Saturdays, seasonal) [22].
- Raleigh-Durham, NC (RDU) – Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ) – Launches Mar. 5, 2026 (twice weekly on Thursdays & Sundays, seasonal) [23].
- Raleigh-Durham, NC (RDU) – Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ) – Launches Mar. 4, 2026 (twice weekly on Wednesdays & Saturdays, seasonal) [24].
- Tampa, FL (TPA) – Montego Bay, Jamaica – Launches Feb. 11, 2026 (twice weekly on Wednesdays & Saturdays) [25].
Each of these flights will be nonstop, giving travelers a direct path to paradise without the hassle of connecting through a hub. For instance, Breeze will connect cities like Charleston and Norfolk directly to Cancun’s turquoise shores, and link Raleigh-Durham straight to Caribbean hotspots that previously had no nonstop service [26] [27]. “These are a lot of the biggest destinations, internationally, from a lot of our bases down on the East Coast,” explained Breeze’s Chief Commercial Officer Lukas Johnson, noting the airline is starting with a few of the most popular spots and plans to “expand from there” [28].
To kick-start bookings, Breeze is dangling ultra-low fares on the new routes. The airline announced one-way tickets from $99 for these flights as an introductory promo (in its basic “No Flex” fare class) [29]. That no-frills ticket covers just a personal item, but travelers can pay extra for perks like checked bags or advance seat selection – or opt for Breeze’s bundled fares (“Nice,” “Nicer,” and “Nicest”) that include various upgrades [30] [31]. Even with add-ons, many flyers may find Breeze’s prices hard to beat, especially compared to legacy carriers. The bottom line: a winter getaway to Cancun or Punta Cana might now be within easier (and cheaper) reach for folks living in Breeze’s U.S. cities.
Raleigh-Durham Lands a Crew Base and New Jobs
One of the biggest winners in Breeze’s international expansion is Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) in North Carolina. Breeze’s announcement wasn’t just about new flights – it also revealed that RDU will become an official crew base for the airline, cementing the Triangle region as a key hub in Breeze’s network [32] [33]. In fact, RDU is the only airport on the list getting two new international routes (nonstops to Montego Bay and Punta Cana) plus the new crew base status. This move will make RDU one of a dozen crew bases Breeze operates across the country [34]. For the local community, that means a significant influx of jobs – up to 200 pilots and flight attendants will be hired in the coming months to staff the expanding operations in Raleigh-Durham [35] [36]. More flights and more jobs are a welcome combo for the fast-growing Research Triangle region.
Why RDU? Breeze executives say the Raleigh-Durham area was a “natural fit” for growth, describing it as a thriving market with strong demand for travel [37]. Breeze already flies more than two dozen domestic routes out of RDU, so adding international service is a logical next step [38]. The airport has been on a roll recently – just a week before Breeze’s news, RDU celebrated a new Aer Lingus nonstop to Ireland, its first-ever transatlantic link to Europe [39]. Now with Breeze’s Caribbean flights on deck, RDU is boosting its profile as an emerging East Coast gateway. The move also underscores Breeze’s strategy of building up in secondary markets: instead of fighting for slots at congested mega-hubs, Breeze is focusing on cities like Raleigh-Durham where it can establish a strong base and a loyal customer following.
Another factor enabling this expansion is regulatory. Breeze had to obtain designation as a U.S. “Flag Carrier” – essentially a federal authorization required for scheduled international flights. The airline “was just named a U.S. Flag Carrier by the FAA, allowing it to fly internationally from RDU to locations like Jamaica and Dominican Republic,” notes local ABC11 News [40]. Gaining this status was a crucial step that Breeze accomplished only recently [41]. With the paperwork in hand, Breeze can now launch overseas routes from its U.S. bases – and RDU is poised to be one of the first beneficiaries. For Triangle-area travelers, this all translates to new nonstop options for tropical getaways and the convenience of flying direct from their home airport.
Providence Trials a Cancun Getaway (and Eyes Europe)
Breeze’s international push also extends to Providence, Rhode Island – another one of its focus cities. The airline is set to launch a limited-time seasonal flight from Providence’s T.F. Green International Airport (PVD) to Cancun, Mexico, giving New England travelers a nonstop escape from the winter cold [42]. This route will run as a trial for eight weeks during peak winter (with weekly Saturday flights roughly from mid-February to early April) [43] [44]. If you live in Rhode Island, this is big news – currently no other airline offers direct international flights from PVD, after a recent attempt by a small carrier to connect to Bermuda fizzled out in just two months [45]. Breeze is hoping to succeed by “flying in the season where people really want to go,” as CEO David Neeleman put it [46]. “The last thing somebody who lives in Providence in the summertime wants to do is go to Cancun,” Neeleman explained, so Breeze will stick to winter when demand to head south is highest [47]. In other words, they’re tailoring service to match travel trends – snowbirds in January, not July.
Providence is a special place for Breeze. The airline opened a base at T.F. Green in 2021, and in just two and a half years it has hired 244 local staff (nearly reaching its 10-year goal of 250 jobs far ahead of schedule) [48]. “We’re the official airline of Rhode Island. We care more about the state of Rhode Island than any other airline,” Neeleman proudly stated [49]. He notes that Breeze keeps adding flights to improve quality of life for locals – letting them fly nonstop out of Providence instead of making “that trek up to Logan” Airport in Boston [50]. The new Cancun service fits that mission: it saves Rhode Islanders a drive to Boston or a connection in New York to reach a popular vacation spot. If the route performs well, Breeze could extend it or add more. Neeleman is “hopeful seasonal winter flights to Cancun are just the start of international flights at T.F. Green” [51]. In fact, Breeze is already looking at Europe – the CEO revealed the airline is considering future routes to Ireland or Scotland, and perhaps the Azores islands, from Rhode Island [52]. For a mid-sized airport like Providence, the possibility of transatlantic Breeze flights is exciting news on the horizon.
To support such growth, Providence’s airport is making upgrades. A $64 million federally-funded renovation is underway to modernize the terminal – improvements to seating, lighting, and other facilities are in progress [53]. “In order to keep adding flights, we need to have facilities,” Neeleman said, praising local leadership for investing in the airport’s future [54]. There’s even talk of Breeze establishing a maintenance hangar at PVD down the line [55]. All these developments suggest Breeze is planting deep roots in Rhode Island. In the near term, travelers can look forward to jetting off nonstop from the Ocean State to Cancun’s beaches this winter – and maybe, a few years from now, even hopping a Breeze flight to Europe without leaving Providence.
What This Expansion Means for Travelers and the Industry
Breeze Airways’ jump into international service signals a new chapter not just for the airline but also for the competitive landscape of leisure travel. For U.S. travelers, the immediate benefit is more choice – especially if you live in one of the cities getting Breeze’s new routes. Traditionally, flying from places like Charleston or Raleigh to a Caribbean resort meant connecting through a big hub (and adding time and hassle to the trip). Breeze’s model of point-to-point flights from smaller markets offers a convenient alternative [56] [57]. It’s now possible to hop on a plane in Norfolk, VA on a Saturday morning and be in Cancun by lunchtime with no layovers. Likewise, Raleigh-area residents gain nonstop access to Jamaican and Dominican getaways that were previously only reachable with a connection. This kind of nonstop service from secondary airports can “elevate the experience” for travelers, as Breeze’s CEO puts it [58], by saving time and avoiding big-airport stress.
The introduction of $99 promotional fares – and Breeze’s generally low pricing – could also put downward pressure on ticket prices in these markets. Breeze is positioning itself as an ultra-low-cost competitor on routes that legacy carriers (and even other budget airlines) are also eyeing. In fact, Breeze’s announcement comes at a time when major airlines are beefing up their own leisure route maps. For example, American Airlines recently added several new flights to Mexico and the Caribbean, responding to the robust demand from U.S. vacationers [59]. JetBlue, Spirit, Frontier, and Southwest have long served many sun destinations with low fares, so Breeze will be entering a crowded field. However, Breeze hopes to carve out its niche by focusing on city pairs that others have overlooked and by offering a uniquely flexible product. Unlike some low-cost peers, Breeze provides a tiered service model – from bare-bones fares to a premium “Nicest” fare that includes first-class style seating on its Airbus A220 jets [60] [61]. This means budget travelers and comfort-seekers alike could find something to like on Breeze’s flights. The A220 aircraft, in particular, gives Breeze a tech advantage: it’s a modern, fuel-efficient plane sized right for mid-range routes, with a roomy cabin and even 12 recliner seats up front for those willing to pay a bit more [62].
Industry observers see Breeze’s international foray as a natural evolution for the young airline. Four years after its first domestic flights, Breeze has secured the needed regulatory approvals and built up a fleet (and workforce) to expand abroad [63] [64]. The timing aligns with travel trends: Americans’ appetite for tropical vacations is strong, and Breeze is jumping in to offer more nonstop options to those in-demand destinations [65]. “Expect [this] seven-route international expansion to be just the start for Breeze,” The Points Guy reports, noting that with flag-carrier status in hand and more A220s on the way, Breeze is planning a “more robust international network in the near future” [66] [67]. Company executives have hinted at prospects beyond the initial Mexico/Caribbean launches – possibly including additional Latin American destinations or even transatlantic flights from the U.S. East Coast down the road [68] [69]. An eventual move into Europe would put Breeze in competition with larger players, but given CEO Neeleman’s track record (he successfully grew JetBlue and WestJet into international airlines in the past [70]), industry experts aren’t counting out the possibility.
In the meantime, travelers can take advantage of Breeze’s inaugural international routes starting this winter and into 2026. If you’re in one of Breeze’s lucky departure cities, you might snag an affordable nonstop flight to a beachside paradise that previously required more effort (and money) to reach. Breeze’s entry into the international arena is a win for consumer choice – and a sign that this upstart carrier is ambitiously spreading its wings. As David Neeleman summed it up, “We’re excited to bring the same convenience and elevated experience [our customers love] about our domestic flights to three exciting new international destinations” [71]. And if all goes well, those “exciting new destinations” are just the beginning of Breeze Airways’ global journey.
Sources: Breeze Airways announcements and news coverage [72] [73] [74] [75] [76] (see linked references for full details)
References
1. thepointsguy.com, 2. thepointsguy.com, 3. thepointsguy.com, 4. thepointsguy.com, 5. abc11.com, 6. thepointsguy.com, 7. abc11.com, 8. thepointsguy.com, 9. www.travelandleisure.com, 10. www.travelandleisure.com, 11. turnto10.com, 12. thepointsguy.com, 13. thepointsguy.com, 14. thepointsguy.com, 15. thepointsguy.com, 16. thepointsguy.com, 17. turnto10.com, 18. turnto10.com, 19. thepointsguy.com, 20. thepointsguy.com, 21. thepointsguy.com, 22. thepointsguy.com, 23. thepointsguy.com, 24. thepointsguy.com, 25. thepointsguy.com, 26. thepointsguy.com, 27. thepointsguy.com, 28. thepointsguy.com, 29. www.travelandleisure.com, 30. www.travelandleisure.com, 31. thepointsguy.com, 32. thepointsguy.com, 33. thepointsguy.com, 34. thepointsguy.com, 35. abc11.com, 36. thepointsguy.com, 37. www.travelandleisure.com, 38. thepointsguy.com, 39. thepointsguy.com, 40. abc11.com, 41. thepointsguy.com, 42. turnto10.com, 43. turnto10.com, 44. turnto10.com, 45. turnto10.com, 46. turnto10.com, 47. turnto10.com, 48. turnto10.com, 49. turnto10.com, 50. turnto10.com, 51. turnto10.com, 52. turnto10.com, 53. turnto10.com, 54. turnto10.com, 55. turnto10.com, 56. thepointsguy.com, 57. thepointsguy.com, 58. www.travelandleisure.com, 59. www.travelandleisure.com, 60. thepointsguy.com, 61. thepointsguy.com, 62. thepointsguy.com, 63. thepointsguy.com, 64. thepointsguy.com, 65. thepointsguy.com, 66. thepointsguy.com, 67. thepointsguy.com, 68. turnto10.com, 69. thepointsguy.com, 70. www.travelandleisure.com, 71. www.travelandleisure.com, 72. thepointsguy.com, 73. thepointsguy.com, 74. abc11.com, 75. www.travelandleisure.com, 76. turnto10.com
