Breeze Airways Readies To Head Down The Runway, Offering Affordable Nonstop Flights

A new airline that is targeting underserved U.S. cities with nonstop flights is reportedly making its way down the runway thanks to JetBlue (JBLU) founder David Neeleman. The new Breeze Airways launched on Friday, the company said in a release posted to Facebook.

The new airline will operate non-stop flights between midsized cities that don’t have many direct flights, which Neeleman said in a statement will offer “meaningful or affordable service” with first flights going into service by the end of 2020.

“20 years ago, we brought humanity back to the airline industry with JetBlue,” Neeleman said. “Today, we’re excited to introduce plans for ‘the World’s Nicest Airline’.”

Breeze will operate a fleet of 30 leased Embraer 195 jets with delivery of the planes slated to start in May and 60 new Airbus 220-300 planes that will begin delivery in April 2021. The airline’s headquarters will be based out of Salt Lake City.

Neeleman, who has founded five airlines, including JetBlue, Breeze, Azul, Morris Air, and WestJet, has not disclosed what cities Breeze would be offering flights between.

Breeze Airways said it has already applied for its airline operating certificate with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Shares of JetBlue stock were down 0.72% as of 3:18 p.m. EST on Friday.