Earlier in June, startup carrier Breeze Airways secured approval from the US Department Of Transportation (DoT) to begin flying to countries covered by Open Skies agreements with the United States. It became the first sizeable US passenger airline to achieve this certification since Virgin America, which was acquired by Alaska Airlines in 2016.
Now, the airline is preparing to launch international services for the first time in early 2026. Breeze has announced seasonal flights to three destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean, subject to final government approval, alongside plans for a new crew base in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, to support the expansion.
Breeze Sets Sights On Mexico And The Caribbean
Breeze Airways was founded in 2021 by JetBlue’s founder, David Neeleman, and has since expanded into a domestic network of more than 80 destinations. It focuses on connecting underserved city pairs, typically with smaller markets at one or both ends, and around 85% of its routes operate without direct competition.
After years of preparation, the airline has now secured the necessary Federal Aviation Administration certification to operate international flights. Its first services beyond the US will launch in the first quarter of 2026, connecting Cancun, Mexico; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Neeleman said:
“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.”
Seasonal Flights To Cancun, Punta Cana, And Montego Bay Begin In Early 2026
All the upcoming international flights will be operated using the carrier’s Airbus A220-300 fleet, which is configured with 137 seats. The aircraft’s range and efficiency make it well-suited for the leisure-focused routes Breeze is targeting in the first quarter of 2026. The airline’s service to 
Cancun International Airport (CUN) will be spread across four US cities. Beginning January 10, it will offer flights from Norfolk, Virginia.
Charleston, South Carolina, will follow on Jan. 17, New Orleans on Feb. 7, and Providence, Rhode Island, on Feb. 14. Each route will operate on a seasonal, once-weekly basis. Besides, from Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU), Breeze will also add twice-weekly flights to Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, starting in early March. In addition, Tampa will see the launch of twice-weekly service to Montego Bay on Feb. 11, which will be operated exclusively by Breeze.
|
Route |
Start Date |
Frequency |
|---|---|---|
|
Charleston–Cancun |
January 17, 2026 |
Seasonally on Saturdays |
|
New Orleans–Cancun |
February 7, 2026 |
Seasonally on Saturdays |
|
Norfolk–Cancun |
January 10, 2026 |
Seasonally on Saturdays |
|
Providence–Cancun |
February 14, 2026 |
Seasonally on Saturdays |
|
Raleigh–Durham–Montego Bay |
March 5, 2026 |
Seasonally on Thursdays and Sundays |
|
Raleigh–Durham–Punta Cana |
March 4, 2026 |
Seasonally on Wednesdays and Saturdays |
|
Tampa–Montego Bay |
February 11, 2026 |
Seasonally on Wednesdays and Saturdays |
As previously mentioned, to support this expansion, the carrier is opening a new crew base at RDU in the first quarter of 2026, which will become its 12th nationwide. The base will employ around 200 pilots and flight attendants. Looking further ahead, founder David Neeleman has suggested that longer-haul international routes may also be possible.
On Aviation Week’s Window Seat Podcast earlier this year, he noted that the A220’s 3,000-mile range could eventually enable services to Central and South America, though flights further afield, such as to Hawaii, would require Extended Range Operation with Two-Engine Airplanes ( ETOPS) approval.
Breeze Faces Competition On Select Routes
Furthermore, Breeze will see competition on some of its upcoming routes, while others will be exclusive to the airline. Flights to Cancun from Norfolk, Charleston, and Providence will be served only by Breeze. From New Orleans, however, Spirit Airlines, which is currently in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, plans to operate the same route with more than 2,500 two-way weekly seats in February 2026, according to Cirium data.
Southwest Airlines also operates flights to Cancun periodically with short seasonal runs. In Raleigh-Durham, Breeze will initially face less overlap. Avelo Airlines operated the RDU–Montego Bay route earlier this year with a peak of 744 weekly seats, but will suspend the service before Breeze enters. Once Breeze begins operations, it will hold the route exclusively.
In addition, Avelo and 
American Airlines both operate the Punta Cana Route from RDU. The former plans to return briefly with 572 weekly seats in early 2026, while American intends to fly the route seasonally between November and March with 344 weekly seats. However, both carriers will exit the market before Breeze’s March launch.
