Breeze, which began operations in May 2021, was founded by serial airline entrepreneur David Neeleman, who has launched five commercial air carriers.
Breeze will inaugurate four weekly roundtrips between Islip and Norfolk on Feb. 17, on Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays and Mondays. On Feb. 18, Breeze will introduce twice-weekly roundtrips between Islip and Charleston on Fridays and Mondays. One-way fares will start at $39.
Breeze will fly 108-seat Embraer 190 aircraft, according to a Town of Islip statement.
“It feels so great to be back in New York, albeit down the road somewhat from my days at JFK,” Neeleman said in the statement. “Breeze’s model is to add new non-stop service on routes other airlines don’t fly, connecting cities with a short non-stop that otherwise would require a long drive or a change of planes. As we say, ‘Breeze will get you there in about half the time for around half the price.’ We see a lot of opportunity at Long Island MacArthur and I look forward to adding more routes.”
Airport Commissioner Shelley LaRose-Arken welcomed the new carrier at a press event on Monday.
“David Neeleman’s mission to bring together a nice group of people to run a seriously nice airline with great service, innovation, and low fares won our hearts from the start,” LaRose-Arken said. “We are a different kind of airport located in the largest metro market in the country. Breeze offers a unique opportunity to disrupt the marketplace with its competitive fares and reshape air travel for Long Island and New York with its fast, affordable, point-to-point service.”
