Breeze Airways Eyes Europe, Hawaii for 2025 Expansion
Breeze Airways (MX, Salt Lake City) is laying the groundwork for its most ambitious expansion yet, with plans to launch transatlantic flights to Europe by autumn 2025 and eventually extend service to Hawai’i. In a recent interview with Airline Geeks, Chief Executive David Neeleman revealed that Ireland and the United Kingdom are top contenders for the carrier’s first European destinations. At the same time, Breeze is exploring Latin America and the Caribbean, including Cancún, to balance the seasonal nature of transatlantic routes.
Neeleman explained that flying to Cancún in the winter and Ireland in the summer could help the airline optimize aircraft utilization year-round. However, these forward-looking plans hinge on two critical regulatory processes. First, Breeze must secure Extended-range Twin-engine Operations Performance Standards (ETOPS) certification for its Airbus A220-300 fleet. While flights to Europe are technically possible without ETOPS via a more northerly route, Hawai’i can only be served from mainland U.S. airports with ETOPS approval in place.
Second, the airline is awaiting flag carrier status from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a designation that confers the necessary rights for international operations. Breeze had initially hoped to receive this status in time for the Winter 2024/2025 travel season, but the current timeline targets autumn 2025 for the first international flights. According to the carrier, obtaining flag status is the first step, with ETOPS certification to follow soon after. Once both processes are complete, Breeze expects to roll out new routes designed to meet market demand for both leisure and business travelers.
In a statement to ch-aviation, a Breeze spokesperson confirmed the sequential nature of these approvals and emphasized that no firm route decisions have been made. The airline is evaluating multiple potential long-haul markets but remains focused on steady growth within its existing domestic network in the meantime. Breeze currently operates 48 aircraft: thirty-five A220-300s, ten Embraer E190s, and three Embraer E195s, all serving a range of U.S. cities.
The A220-300 fleet, in particular, positions Breeze for efficient medium- and long-haul flights thanks to the aircraft’s superior fuel efficiency and range capabilities. Obtaining ETOPS certification would enable these jets to fly extended oceanic routes, while flag carrier status would expand Breeze’s scheduling flexibility and allow it to pursue partnerships or codeshares with international carriers down the line.
Industry analysts note that Breeze’s incremental approach to expansion—focusing on underserved markets and secondary airports—could give the airline a competitive edge. By targeting routes that major carriers overlook or serve at high fares, Breeze aims to attract both cost-conscious travelers and those seeking more direct flight options. Adding Hawai’i and select European destinations would significantly boost the airline’s profile, especially if Breeze can deliver on its promise of affordable fares paired with modern, comfortable aircraft.
With preparations now underway for these regulatory hurdles, Neeleman’s vision of making Breeze a go-to airline for transatlantic and transpacific routes could soon become a reality. If successful, the carrier would transform from a small domestic operator into a formidable player in the international aviation market—just as the global travel industry continues rebounding from recent challenges.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com