Breeze Airways announced the launch of six nonstop flights on routes left vacant by Spirit Airlines’ shutdown on May 2, 2026. The new routes cover domestic connections and international destinations in the Caribbean, restoring service to previously orphaned airports.
New and Reintroduced Domestic Routes
Starting February 9, 2027, Breeze will operate nonstop flights from Latrobe Airport in Pennsylvania to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. A Latrobe to Orlando, Florida nonstop will commence on May 26, 2027. Myrtle Beach will also gain a nonstop link to Boston Airport beginning May 4, 2027. Breeze Airways holds exclusive rights to the Latrobe to Myrtle Beach and Latrobe to Orlando
routes, reinstating flights discontinued after Spirit’s closure.
Buffalo Niagara International Airport in New York will receive three new Breeze nonstop services: Buffalo to Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina starting June 29, 2027; Buffalo to Myrtle Beach from July 1, 2027; and Buffalo to Charleston, South Carolina beginning July 2, 2027. The airline’s Raleigh-Durham route replaces a Frontier Airlines service set to end in November 2026. The Myrtle Beach and Charleston connections are expected to be the only active flights from Buffalo at those times.
Expansion to Caribbean International Destinations
Breeze is expanding its international portfolio from Tampa International Airport, adding nonstop flights to several Caribbean locations. Service
between Tampa and Montego Bay, Jamaica will start on December 19, 2026. Flights to Cancun, Mexico also begin on December 19, 2026. Nonstop flights from Tampa to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands will launch December 16, 2026. Breeze will also connect Tampa to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic starting June 18, 2027.
This Caribbean expansion builds on Breeze’s existing service footprint that includes routes to Punta Cana, San José, and Nassau.
Background on Spirit Airlines and Breeze Airways Growth
Spirit Airlines ceased all operations on May 2, 2026, following multiple years of financial decline and a failed $500 million federal rescue package. Spirit filed for
Chapter 11 bankruptcy twice, in November 2024 and August 2025, with outstanding debt totaling approximately $8.1 billion.
Breeze Airways, founded in Utah by JetBlue establisher David Neeleman, launched its first flight in May 2021 between Tampa and Charleston. Since then, the airline has rapidly expanded its network and was recognized as America’s fastest-growing airline in Time100’s Most Influential Companies of 2026.
Operational Details and Service Strategy
Operating a fleet of A220-300 aircraft, Breeze currently services over 300 year-round and seasonal routes to 95 cities across the United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. The airline increased its flight capacity by 41% in early 2026
compared to the same period in 2025. Breeze emphasizes nonstop service connecting underserved city pairs rather than adding frequency to major hubs.
Traveler Impact and Market Position
The new Breeze Airways routes restore direct service for travelers out of Latrobe to Myrtle Beach and Orlando, destinations previously served by Spirit Airlines. Tampa passengers gain affordable nonstop access to Caribbean beach destinations, while Buffalo travelers replace their Frontier Airlines Raleigh-Durham nonstop with a Breeze route. Breeze’s position as the only carrier on key Latrobe and Buffalo routes establishes a monopoly in those markets.
