SARASOTA, Fla — Low-cost carrier Breeze Airways will soon launch service at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, expanding its footprint in the greater Tampa Bay region.
The budget airline, which is the brainchild of JetBlue founder David Neeleman, will begin its Sarasota service this summer. It'll start by offering two routes – one to Hartford, Connecticut, and the other to Norfolk, Virginia.
Flights along those routes will begin June 4.
The Norfolk ones will launch at $39 each way, with the one-way Hartford trips beginning at $59.
The Hartford route is particularly interesting because it will use Breeze's brand new fleet of Airbus A220s. The newly-purchased planes are the latest additions to an airline that plans to nearly triple its fleet size in 2022, growing from 13 to 30 jets.
Breeze is still in its infancy, having first taken to the skies on May 27, 2021. However, a growing number of travelers are choosing the low-cost, Salt Lake City-based carrier. Breeze has already flown half a million passengers across 14 states.
One perk for travelers: Breeze promises not to charge cancellation or change fees – all the way up to 15 minutes before departure. A spokesperson adds that flight credits last two years if travelers are forced to cancel a trip.
As for customer service, the airline is taking a digital-focused approach.
"The airline does not have a traditional call center – instead opting to handle Guest requests via text message, Facebook Messenger and email," Breeze wrote in an email.
Breeze currently operates in 18 cities nationwide, including Tampa.
