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Breeze Airways targets Florida with big 11-route expansion
Meghna Maharishi
Aviation Reporter
Meghna Maharishi is an aviation reporter at TPG. She specializes in everything related to airlines, including their day-to-day operations, newly unveiled flight routes and lesser-known aspects of the industry.
July 18, 2023
•
3 min read
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Ultra-low-cost carrier Breeze Airways is turning to Florida for its latest big expansion.
The startup carrier announced 11 new routes to the Sunshine State on Tuesday, looking to lure sun-seeking leisure travelers as it grows its route map.
Breeze's biggest expansion push comes in Fort Myers along Florida's southern Gulf coast.
The carrier is adding nine routes from the city. Fort Myers sits along a popular strand of coastline that's home to popular tourist hotspots like Naples and Sanibel Island. With the new routes — including nonstop flights to places like New Orleans, Pittsburgh and Columbus, Ohio — Breeze will now offer flights to 13 destinations from Fort Myers.
Breeze's Florida expansion also includes new nonstop routes to both Jacksonville and Vero Beach from Providence, Rhode Island.
Breeze is the brainchild of serial airline entrepreneur David Neeleman. It launched in May 2021 and has been on a rapid growth trajectory ever since. The carrier focuses on serving smaller cities with nonstop routes too "thin" to attract the attention of larger rivals that rely on a hub-and-spoke model.
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The latest additions announced Tuesday will significantly increase the airline's presence in Florida, which has long drawn leisure travelers.
Once Breeze's new routes begin in November, the carrier will have a total of 58 nonstop routes to seven Florida destinations; other spots include Orlando, Sarasota, Tampa and West Palm Beach.
Here is a list of the new routes:
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)
- Akron, Ohio: Winter/spring seasonal service begins Nov. 16 (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays). Introductory fares start at $59 one-way.
- Columbus, Ohio: Winter/spring seasonal service begins Nov. 16 (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays). Introductory fares start at $59 one-way.
- Louisville, Kentucky: Winter/spring seasonal service begins Nov. 16 (Thursdays and Sundays). Introductory fares start at $49 one-way.
- New Orleans: Winter/spring seasonal service begins Nov. 2 (Thursdays and Sundays). Introductory fares start at $49 one-way.
- Norfolk, Virginia: Winter/spring seasonal service begins Nov. 2 (Thursdays and Sundays). Introductory fares start at $49 one-way.
- Pittsburgh: Winter/spring seasonal service begins Nov. 15 (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays). Introductory fares start at $59 one-way.
- Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina: Winter/spring seasonal service begins Nov. 17 (Mondays and Fridays). Introductory fares start at $39 one-way.
- Richmond, Virginia: Winter/spring seasonal service begins Nov.15 (Wednesdays and Saturdays). Introductory fares start at $49 one-way.
- Syracuse, New York: Winter/spring seasonal service begins Nov. 17 (Mondays and Fridays). Introductory fares start at $59 one-way.
Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
- Providence: Twice-weekly service begins Nov. 3 (Mondays and Fridays). Introductory fares start at $79 one-way.
Vero Beach Regional Airport (VRB)
- Providence: Winter/spring seasonal service begins Nov. 2 (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays). Introductory fares start at $79 one-way.
Featured image by ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended 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.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. 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, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.