Breeze Airways cuts 4 routes, shuffles flights in big schedule extension
The big U.S. airlines aren't the only ones making route adjustments due to the pandemic.
The latest network shake-up comes from Breeze Airways – the new airline from serial airline entrepreneur David Neeleman — which is axing four unprofitable routes just months after launching them.
Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG’s free new biweekly Aviation newsletter!
Breeze will exit the following four routes at the end of the month, as first seen in Cirium schedules and later confirmed by the airline.
Origin | Destination | Effective date |
---|---|---|
New Orleans (MSY) | Oklahoma City (OKC) | Ends Nov. 28 |
New Orleans (MSY) | Tulsa, Oklahoma (TUL) | Ends Nov. 29 |
San Antonio (SAT) | Tulsa, Oklahoma (TUL) | Ends Nov. 29 |
San Antonio (SAT) | Oklahoma City (OKC) | Ends Nov. 28 |
When these routes are scrapped, Breeze will continue to serve Oklahoma City and Tulsa from its Tampa base, while service to San Antonio will be available from Bentonville/Northwest Arkansas (XNA).
Separately, the airline will temporarily pull out of the Charleston, South Carolina (CHS), to Hunstville, Alabama (HSV), market on Nov. 28, with flights scheduled to resume on Feb. 17.
While Breeze isn't exiting any other routes, the airline will tweak select frequencies on existing ones, including doubling the number of weekly flights from two to four on the New Orleans (MSY) to Louisville, Kentucky (SDF), route, along with adding a second weekly frequency from Tampa (TPA) to Akron-Canton (CAK), Ohio.
Other notable boosts include two additional weekly frequencies on the following routes in April and May 2022:
- Charleston (CHS)-Akron-Canton (CAK).
- Charleston (CHS)-Hartford/Windsor Locks, Connecticut (BDL).
- Charleston (CHS)-Providence/Warwick, Rhode Island (PVD).
Along with the route adjustments, Breeze also extended its booking window until May 2, 2022, giving flyers more time to plan their spring trips. As for the four cuts, an airline spokesperson told TPG that "as we look to additional routes being planned for 2021, we'll be re-allocating those flights for new opportunities."
Interestingly, this is the largest network adjustment Breeze has made since it began service in May. The airline has previously trimmed flights and pared its schedule, but the airline hasn't cut nearly as many routes at one time.
In fact, the airline's first permanent route cut was announced in early September, when the airline stopped flying between New Orleans (MSY) and Huntsville, Alabama (HSV). Combined with the temporary suspension of the Charleston-to-Huntsville route, it's likely that the airline is suffering from weak demand in the local market.
Breeze isn't the only new airline that launched this year — there's also Avelo Airlines, based in both Burbank, California, and New Haven, Connecticut, as well as Aha!, the latest venture from longtime operator ExpressJet. Of the three new entrants, Avelo has commanded most of the network-related headlines, having cut multiple cities and routes, some even before service began.
All three airlines are trying to run a low-cost, nimble operation connecting city pairs that might not be top of mind. With a bit of trial and error, some routes inevitably won't stick, leading to the cancellations we've seen from Avelo, and now from Breeze.
While the airlines work to improve their bottom line, the losers are the passengers who are booking far in advance, only to now see their flights changed or even canceled.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro Offer
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.60,000 bonus pointsAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees