Breeze Airways announces first international routes set for early 2026

Flights to Cancun International Airport (CUN) will depart from four US cities: Norfolk (starting January 10), Charleston (January 17), New Orleans (February 7), and Providence (February 14). Each route will operate once weekly during the season. Additionally, Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU) will see twice-weekly flights to both Montego Bay and Punta Cana starting in early March. Tampa will also get a twice-weekly service to Montego Bay beginning February 11.

To support these new routes, Breeze is opening a crew base at RDU in the first quarter of 2026—its twelfth nationwide—which will employ approximately 200 pilots and flight attendants.

David Neeleman commented on the milestone: “Becoming a US flag carrier is a huge milestone for Breeze, and one that our Team Members have been working tirelessly on for the last three years. We’re excited to bring the same convenience and elevated experience they love about our domestic flights to three exciting new international destinations.”

Looking ahead, Neeleman has suggested that longer-haul international routes may be possible with the A220’s range potentially allowing service into Central and South America. However, reaching destinations such as Hawaii would require additional regulatory approval.

Breeze faces varying levels of competition on these new routes. For example, it will be the only carrier flying from Norfolk, Charleston, and Providence to Cancun. Spirit Airlines plans competing service between New Orleans and Cancun with more than 2,500 two-way weekly seats in February 2026 while operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Southwest Airlines also runs periodic seasonal flights to Cancun.

On other routes from Raleigh-Durham, Breeze expects less overlap. Avelo Airlines previously operated RDU–Montego Bay but will suspend service before Breeze enters; thus Breeze will be alone on this route initially. Both Avelo and American Airlines plan short-term operations between RDU and Punta Cana but are expected to exit before Breeze’s March launch date.