Categories: Press Release

Breeze Airways Introduces ‘Breeze Ascent’ and Highlights Elevated Onboard Experience Including Premium Cocktails and High-Speed WiFi;

Inaugurates 37 New and Returning Nonstop Routes This Summer, 

Plus Additional BreezeThru Flights; 

Including Breeze’s Longest A220 Route Today from Providence to LAX

Salt Lake City, UT (May 17, 2023)Breeze Airways, the nation’s first and only ‘NLCC,’ or Nice Low Cost Carrier, is celebrating the start of summer travel season with the inauguration of 37 new and returning routes, both seasonal and year-round, as well as introducing an elevated onboard experience including premium Straightaway cocktails and high-speed WiFi by Viasat.

Today at the carrier’s inaugural — and now longest — flight from its base at Rhode Island TF Green International Airport (PVD) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Breeze also announced a rebrand of its front seating section.

Dubbed “Breeze Ascent,” the affordable and elevated onboard experience includes a recliner-style seat with 20-5-inches of width and 39-inches of seat pitch, in a 2×2 configuration – plus complimentary snacks and beverages, including alcohol.

At the event, Breeze highlighted the efficiency of its fast-growing Airbus 220-300 fleet and announced its plans to complete installation of high-speed WiFi on the A220 fleet by early 2024.

Nice Low Cost Carrier (NLCC)

As Breeze approaches its second birthday on May 27, the carrier is coining its own category term as ‘Nice Low-Cost Carrier’ or NLCC. The airline’s unique business model combines the efficiency and convenience of nonstop and direct flights between underserved markets with Guest-friendly policies such as having no change or cancel fees, free family seating, affordable fares and an elevated onboard product offering.

“We are the ‘goldilocks’ of the airline industry,” said Tom Doxey, Breeze Airways’ President. “With our combination of mid-size aircraft size and efficiency, flyer-friendly business model, Breeze is able to fly from underserved markets, more easily connecting Guests with the rest of the country – including convenient and affordable service.”

Breeze Ascent

Formerly referred to as simply “’first class seats,” Breeze announced the rebranding of the front section of its A220-300 aircraft to “Breeze Ascent.”  The affordable, ‘seriously comfortable’ seats feature a footrest for added comfort, and in-seat AC power and USB/C ports.

“Our logo features a checkmark known as the ‘ascent’ and is a depiction of a plane ascending into the sky, so it made sense for us to name our most elevated onboard experience ‘Breeze Ascent,’” said Doxey. “We are creating a new standard for what it means to ‘fly up front’ with comfortable, premium seating and complimentary snacks and beverages at an affordable price.”

Breeze Ascent is included with the Nicest bundle or it can be purchased a la carte, with Nice or Nicer bundles, allowing Guests to ‘create their own adventure’.

“We are ecstatic to be the seat supplier of choice for the nice folks at Breeze Airways for their A220 fleet,” said Patrick Villanueva, Safran Seats U.S. Vice President of Sales. “Our latest generation Z600 seat, which is featured in Breeze’s Ascent section, provides their customers with industry-leading comfort and living space features that are not found on many of the larger carriers in the industry today. The nice, nicer and nicest customers that opt to fly in the Extra Legroom or Standard cabins will find our Z110i product to be well ahead in comfort while also providing lightweight features that further our shared goal of sustainable aviation for generations to come! On behalf of Safran Seats, we wish the nice people of Breeze and their passengers the safest and most pleasant journeys you expect and deserve”.

You can learn more about the Breeze Ascent experience by watching Breeze’s new video here.

High-Speed WiFi

In March 2022, Breeze announced plans to install Viasat’s high-speed WiFi on its A220 fleet.  The carrier today announced it has installed the solution on two aircraft with plans to complete installation on the remainder of its new and existing A220s by early 2024.

“As Breeze’s network expands to include transcontinental routes like Providence to Los Angeles, we expect Guests onboard to enjoy even more streaming, scrolling, and shopping during the flight,” said Don Buchman, VP and GM, Commercial Aviation, Viasat. “With our current and future satellite network, we’re in a great position to deliver high speed connectivity across Breeze’s A220 fleet as demand for data inflight soars.”

“As our flight lengths get longer, we know our Guests’ expectation is to be able to stay connected and entertained,” said Tom Doxey, Breeze Airways’ President. “We are looking forward to offering seriously fast and affordable WiFi on our entire A220 fleet by early 2024.”

Breeze will be testing several price points during the roll out but plans to offer it complimentary with certain fare bundles and other promotions.

New Premium Onboard Items

Guests in Breeze Ascent enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks, including alcohol, such as Straightaway curated cocktails and Charleston Bloody Mary Mix.

Two offerings will be available from Straightaway Cocktails in 100mL single-serve cans: an oaky Oregon Old Fashioned with notes of orange and a dry finish, and a twist on the classic Margarita, bright and complex with a hint of heat.

Using time-honored recipes and local ingredients from the Pacific Northwest, the Oregon Old Fashioned is made with 3-year rye whiskey, housemade simple syrup and bitters made from Oregon filberts and fir needles. The Margarita is made with reposado tequila and small-batched mezcal, orange liqueur, agave, habanero and mango syrups, and Oregon’s own Jacobsen Salt.

“We are thrilled to be flying with Breeze,” said Cy Cain, co-founder of Straightaway Cocktails. “When I’m in vacation mode, vacation starts from the moment I sit down on the plane. Having moments onboard that add to that mindset, like having an authentic cocktail, just adds to the pleasure of the journey. We love how Breeze approaches their guest experience and leads with hospitality and joy. Ascending into summer with a margarita made with fresh pressed juice, reposado tequila, mezcal, and a touch of heat and Jacobsen Salt definitely helps level up a getaway state of mind.”

Guests seated in the Extra Legroom and Standard sections will have the ability to purchase these curated items like Zapps VooDoo Chips, snack boxes with a tasty combination of sweet and salty favorites, and more. Items for purchase start at $4 and discounts are available when purchasing more than one item at a time. Snacks and beverages can be purchased with a credit card and Apple Wallet.

Modern and Efficient Fleet for Short and Long Haul

Breeze currently has 12 A220s with 67 more firm orders and 40 options.   Breeze is about to take delivery of its 13th A220, tail number #220.   Of its nearly 150 routes, 25 are transcontinental.

Breeze Founder and CEO David Neeleman says the use of the efficient A220 is “a game-changer” for the airline. It enables Breeze to operate on shorter runways from smaller airports and connect ‘long, thin routes,’ connecting city pairs which have never before enjoyed nonstop service.

“Breeze is providing a unique service to the market and thanks to its world class performance capabilities, the A220 is the perfect aircraft to match Breeze’s ambitions,” said Colin Bole, Head of Customers for Airbus Americas, Inc. “The aircraft offers efficient operations and an outstanding Guest experience. The A220 currently has the world’s lowest small single-aisle carbon footprint, helping to reduce CO2 and NOX emissions by 25% and 50%, respectively. It is also considerably quieter – with a noise footprint area up to 50% smaller than previous generation aircraft.”

Breeze’s Longest Route

Of all the new transcon services, the PVD-LAX route is the airline’s longest.  Breeze’s A220 fleet is powered by Pratt & Whitney PurePower® PW1500G latest generation engines (geared turbofans).

“GTF engines are helping Breeze open longer routes and new destinations – with affordable fares and an exceptional Guest experience – thanks to lower fuel consumption, emissions and noise,” said Rick Deurloo, president of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney.

Summer Routes Inaugurals

This week, Breeze is welcoming dozens of new and returning nonstop routes, both seasonal and year-round, to its expanding network.

“The Breeze network is part of the NLCC ‘secret sauce’,” said Neeleman. “Our unique point-to-point structure means we get Guests to their destination in half the time for half the cost.”

37 New and Returning Nonstop Routes – Plus More BreezeThru Options

From Fort Myers, FL:

  • Hartford, CT** (Wed and Sat, starting May 17, from $99*); and
  • Providence, RI** (Tues, Thurs and Sun, starting July 2, from $99*).

From Hartford, CT:

  • Fort Myers, FL** (Wed and Sat, starting May 17, from $99* one way);
  • Los Angeles, CA** (Daily BreezeThru service, starting May 17);
  • Tampa, FL** (Tues, Thurs, and Sun, starting May 18, from $79*); and
    • New Orleans, LA** (Summer seasonal, Mon and Fri, starting May 19, from $79*; plus BreezeThrus on Sun and Thurs).

From Los Angeles, CA:

  • Providence, RI** (Summer seasonal, Wed and Sat, starting May 17, from $149* one way; BreezeThru service on Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, and Sun starting May 18);
  • Raleigh-Durham, NC** (Wed and Sat, starting May 17, from $189*);
  • Hartford, CT** (Daily BreezeThru service, starting May 17);
    • Jacksonville, FL** (Summer seasonal, Tues, Thurs and Sun, starting May 18, from $139*);
  • Richmond, VA** (Tues, Thurs, and Sun, starting May 18; from $200*);
    • New Orleans, LA (Summer seasonal, Mon and Fri, starting May 19, from $109*); and
  • Norfolk, VA** (Summer seasonal, Mon and Fri, starting May 19, from $166*).

From Portland, ME:

  • Tampa, FL** (Wed and Sat, starting May 17, from $99* one way);
  • Charleston, SC (Mon and Fri, starting May 19, from $99*);
    • Norfolk, VA (Summer/Fall seasonal, Thurs and Sun, starting June 2 from $89*; BreezeThru service on Wed and Sat, starting June 28);
    • Pittsburgh, PA (Summer/Fall seasonal, Mon and Fri, starting June 2 from $85*);
    • New York-Islip, NY (Summer seasonal, Wed and Sat, starting June 28, from $59*); and
  • Orlando, FL (BreezeThru service, Thurs and Sun, starting September 21).

From Providence, RI:

  • Los Angeles, CA** (Summer seasonal, Wed and Sat, starting May 17, from $149* one way; BreezeThru service on Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, and Sun starting May 18);
  • Jacksonville, FL (Summer Seasonal BreezeThru service, Thurs and Sun, starting May 18);
  • Richmond, VA** (Summer seasonal, Tues, Thurs, and Sun, starting May 18, from $50*);
  • Orlando, FL** (Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri and Sat, starting July 1, from $89* one way).
  • Tampa, FL** (Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sat starting July 1, from $79*);
  • Fort Myers, FL** (Tues, Thurs and Sun, starting July 2, from $99*); and
  • Sarasota-Bradenton, FL** (Thurs and Sun, starting July 2, from $99*).

From Raleigh-Durham, NC:

  • Los Angeles, CA** (Wed and Sat, starting May 17, from $189* one way);
    • Pittsburgh, PA (Summer seasonal, Thurs and Sun, starting May 18, from $56*);
  • Columbus, OH (Thurs and Sun, starting May 18, from $55*);
    • Jacksonville, FL (Summer seasonal, Mon, Thurs, Fri, and Sun, starting May 18, from $59*);
    • Norfolk, VA (Summer seasonal BreezeThru service, Thurs and Sun, starting May 18);
    • Louisville, KY (Summer seasonal, Mon and Fri, starting May 19, from $55*); and
  • New York-Islip, NY (Thurs and Sun, starting June 29, from $69*).

From Tampa, FL:

  • Portland, ME** (Wed and Sat, starting May 17, from $99*);
  • Hartford, CT** (Tues, Thurs, and Sun, starting May 18, from $79*); and
  • Providence, RI** (Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sat starting July 1, from $79*).

From Columbus, OH:

  • Raleigh-Durham, NC (Thurs and Sun, starting May 18, from $55*);
    • Jacksonville, FL (Summer seasonal, Mon and Fri, starting May 19, from $73*; BreezeThru service Thurs and Sun starting May 18); and
  • Norfolk, VA (Summer seasonal Mon and Fri, starting May 26, from $65*).

From Jacksonville, FL:

  • Los Angeles, CA** (Summer seasonal, Tues, Thurs and Sun, starting May 18, from $139*);
  • New York-Islip, NY (BreezeThru service, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun and Mon, starting May 18);
  • Norfolk, VA (Summer seasonal, Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sat, and Sun, starting May 18, from $69*);
  • Raleigh-Durham, NC (Summer seasonal, Thurs, Fri, Sun and Mon, starting May 18, from $59*);
  • Richmond, VA (Summer seasonal, Mon, Thurs, Fri, and Sun, starting May 18, from $69*);
  • Providence, RI (Summer Seasonal BreezeThru service, Thurs and Sun, starting May 18);
  • Columbus, OH (Summer seasonal, Mon and Fri, starting May 19, from $73*; BreezeThru service Thurs and Sun starting May 18);
  • New York-Islip, NY (Summer seasonal BreezeThru service, Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sat, and Sun, starting May 18);
  • Cincinnati, OH (BreezeThru service, Mon and Fri, starting May 19);
  • Louisville, KY (BreezeThru service, Mon and Fri, starting May 19); and
  • Pittsburgh, PA (Summer seasonal, Thurs and Sun, starting May 25, from $65*).

From New York-Islip, NY:

  • Jacksonville, FL (Summer seasonal BreezeThru service, Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sat, and Sun, starting May 18);
  • Richmond, VA (Summer seasonal, Thurs and Sun, starting May 18, from $53);
  • Pittsburgh, PA (Summer seasonal, Thurs and Sun, starting May 25 from $50*);
  • Portland, ME (Summer seasonal, Wed and Sat, starting June 28, from $59*); and
  • Raleigh-Durham, NC (Thurs and Sun, starting June 29, from $69*).

From Norfolk, VA:

  • Jacksonville, FL (Summer seasonal, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun and Mon, starting May 18, from $69*);
  • Pittsburgh, PA (Summer seasonal, Thurs and Sun, starting May 18, from $69*);
  • Raleigh-Durham, NC (Summer seasonal BreezeThru, Thurs and Sun, starting May 18);
  • Columbus, OH (Summer seasonal Mon and Fri, starting May 26, from $65*);
  • Los Angeles, CA** (Summer seasonal, Fri and Mon, starting May 19, from $166);
  • Akron-Canton, OH (Summer seasonal, Thurs and Sun, starting June 1, from $55*);
  • Syracuse, NY (Summer seasonal, Thurs and Sun, starting June 1, from $54*); and
  • Portland, ME (Summer/Fall seasonal, Mon and Fri, starting June 2, from $85*; and BreezeThru service on Wed and Sat).

From Pittsburgh, PA:

  • Norfolk, VA (Summer seasonal, returning Thurs and Sun, starting May 18, from $69*);
  • Raleigh-Durham, NC (Summer seasonal, Thurs and Sun, starting May 18, from $56*);
  • Jacksonville, FL (Summer seasonal, Thurs and Sun, starting May 25, from $65*);
  • New York-Islip, NY (Summer seasonal, Thurs and Sun, starting May 25, from $53*); and
  • Portland, ME (Summer/Fall seasonal, Mon and Fri, starting June 2, from $85*).

From Richmond, VA:

  • Jacksonville, FL (Summer seasonal, Mon, Thurs, Fri, and Sun, starting May 18, from $69*);
  • Los Angeles, CA** (Thurs, Sun and Tues, starting May 18, from $200*);
    • New York-Islip, NY (Summer seasonal, Thurs and Sun, starting May 18, from $53*);
    • Providence, RI** (Summer seasonal, Thurs, Sun and Tues, starting May 18 from $50*); and
  • Cincinnati, OH (Summer seasonal, Mon and Fri, starting May 19, from $49*).

From Charleston, SC:

  • Portland, ME (Mon and Fri, starting May 19, from $99* one way); and
    • Charleston, WV (Summer seasonal, Wed and Sat, starting May 31, from $39*).

From Cincinnati, OH:

  • Richmond, VA (Summer seasonal, Mon and Fri, starting May 19, from $49* one way); and
  • Jacksonville, FL (BreezeThru service, Mon and Fri, starting May 19).

From New Orleans, LA:

  • Hartford, CT** (Summer seasonal, Mon and Fri, starting May 19, from $89* one way); and
  • Los Angeles, CA** (Summer seasonal, Mon and Fri, starting May 19, from $109*).

From Louisville, KY:

  • Raleigh-Durham, NC (Summer seasonal, Mon and Fri, starting May 19, from $55* one way); and
  • Jacksonville, FL (BreezeThru service, Mon and Fri, starting May 19).

From Charleston, WV:

  • Charleston, SC (Summer seasonal, Wed and Sat, starting May 31, from $39* one way); and
  • Orlando, FL** (Wed and Sat, starting May 31; Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat from June 30 through August 15, from $69*).

From Orlando, FL:

  • Charleston, WV** (Wed and Sat, starting May 31; Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat from June 30 through August 15, from $69* one way); and
  • Providence, RI** (Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri and Sat, starting July 1, from $89.

From Akron-Canton, OH:

  • Norfolk, VA (Summer seasonal, Thurs and Sun, starting June 1, from $55* one way).

From Syracuse, NY:

  • Norfolk, VA (Summer seasonal, Thurs and Sun, starting June 1, from $54* one way.)

From Sarasota-Bradenton, FL:

  • Providence, RI** (Thurs and Sun, starting July 2, from $99* one way).

“It was May 2021 when Breeze announced our first 39 routes and introduced our unique combination of low fares, flexible polices and Seriously Nice Team Members,” said Tom Doxey, Breeze Airways’ President.  “Two years later, we’re adding another 37 this summer, bringing our total to almost 150 year-round and seasonal nonstop routes, as we continue our mission of ‘nice people, flying nice people to nice places.’”

Breeze offers its Guests both bundled and ala carte options known as Nice, Nicer and Nicest. The Nicest bundle includes Breeze Ascent, two checked bags, and complimentary snacks and beverages, including alcohol.

Breeze currently flies both short distance and transcontinental flights within the U.S. on a fleet of Embraer 190/195 and Airbus A220-300 aircraft. The carrier has ordered 80 A220s, with options for 40 more.

Seat pitch for a Standard Economy seat is 30 inches on the A220s and 31 inches on the E-195s, while seat pitch for Extra Legroom is 32 inches on the A220s and between 34 and 39 inches on the E-195s, depending on the row selected. Ascent features 39 inches of seat pitch, 20.5 inches of seat width, and special features including a footrest for added comfort, and in-seat AC power and USB/C ports.

Breeze doesn’t charge change or cancellation fees up to 15 minutes prior to departure and offers other benefits such as free family seating and a la carte pricing. With seamless booking, no change or cancellation fees, up to 24-months of reusable flight credit and customized flight features delivered via a sleek and simple app, Breeze makes it easy to buy and easy to fly. Flights are now on sale at www.flybreeze.com and via the Breeze app.

*Promotion must be purchased by May 26, 2023 (11:59 pm ET), for travel from May 31, 2023, through November 14, 2023. Promotion excludes travel from June 28 to July 10 and September 1 to September 4.  Price displayed includes taxes and government fees. Fare prices, rules, routes, and schedules are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions and blackout dates may apply.

BREEZE B-ROLL FOR BROADCAST MEDIA: 

https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/wdVrjlK9EX

About Breeze Airways
Breeze Airways is celebrating its second anniversary of operations after starting flying in May, 2021.  Last year, it was ranked as the No. 2 U.S. best domestic airline by Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. Breeze now offers almost 150 nonstop routes between 36 cities in 22 states. Founded by aviation entrepreneur David Neeleman, Breeze operates a fleet of Embraer 190/195 and Airbus A220-300 aircraft, with a focus on providing efficient and affordable flights between secondary airports, bypassing hubs for shorter travel times. With 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, Breeze makes it easy to buy and easy to fly. Flights are on sale at flybreeze.com and via the Breeze app.

Media Contact:
Gareth Edmondson-Jones
Breeze Airways
917 399-9355
Gareth.EdmondsonJones@FlyBreeze.com