Breeze Airways

Big-picture snapshot

Breeze Airways is a low-cost carrier operating a fleet of approximately 50-55 aircraft — primarily Airbus A220-300s with a remaining handful of Embraer E190s being phased out — across 12+ crew bases. It is headquartered in Cottonwood Heights, Utah (Salt Lake City metro), and employs approximately 2,200+ total team members (pilot count not publicly disclosed, estimated 500-700+). Pilots joined ALPA in 2022 and are currently negotiating their first collective bargaining agreement. David Neeleman serves as Founder and CEO.

For interview purposes, the simplest way to frame Breeze is this: it is the fifth airline created by David Neeleman — the legendary aviation entrepreneur who also founded Morris Air, WestJet, JetBlue, and Azul Brazilian Airlines. Breeze's strategy is serving underserved secondary and mid-size markets with nonstop service where 85% of its routes have no competition. The airline made its first net profit in Q2 2025 and is the fastest-growing carrier in America with a 41% increase in flights for H1 2026 versus H1 2025. Breeze is receiving 16 new A220-300 deliveries in 2026, has total orders for 90 A220s, and launched its first international routes in March 2026. Neeleman envisions an eventual fleet of up to 400 aircraft.

Company history

• 2018: David Neeleman announces new airline (originally "Moxy Airways"); raises $100 million; signs MOU with Airbus for 60 A220-300s
• 2020 February 7: Name changed to "Breeze Airways"; headquarters established in Cottonwood Heights, Utah
• 2021 May 27: First revenue flight; began with Embraer E190/E195 fleet
• 2021 October 26: First A220-300 delivered
• 2022 May 25: A220 entered service
• 2022: Pilots voted to join ALPA
• 2023: Section 2 contract negotiations began; rapid route expansion
• 2025 mid-year: First net profit posted (Q2 2025); Embraer E195s retired; 11th crew base (Akron-Canton) opened; 41% flight increase planned for H1 2026 vs H1 2025
• 2026: First international routes launched (Cancun, Montego Bay, Punta Cana from RDU); 16 new A220s being delivered; RDU crew base opening Q1 2026; negotiating first CBA with ALPA

Business model

Breeze operates a differentiated low-cost model targeting underserved markets:

• Underserved market focus: 85% of Breeze's routes have no competing nonstop service. Breeze specifically identifies city pairs where passengers are currently forced to connect through hubs and offers direct nonstop flights.
• A220-300 flagship: The Airbus A220-300 is Breeze's primary aircraft — a modern, efficient narrowbody ideally suited for thinner routes that can't support larger aircraft. The A220 offers lower operating costs per seat than the A320 family on shorter routes.
• "Seriously Nice" brand: Breeze positions itself as the "World's Nicest Airline" — a friendlier, more accessible alternative to the ultra-low-cost model.
• Ancillary revenue: Approximately 54% of Breeze's total income comes from ancillary revenue (bags, seat selection, upgrades).
• David Neeleman's fifth airline: Neeleman's track record of founding successful airlines (Morris Air sold to Southwest, WestJet grew to become Canada's second-largest airline, JetBlue became a major U.S. carrier, Azul became Brazil's third-largest airline) provides the operational DNA and investor confidence behind Breeze.

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