Breeze Airways gains green light for international flights as it reaches 42 Airbus A220s
Breeze Airways, the airline founded by the entrepreneur David Neeleman, has received approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to begin scheduled international flights.
The exemption allows Breeze to operate passenger, cargo, and mail services to countries that have open skies agreements with the U.S., without needing full certification immediately. The authorization is valid through June 2027.
Since launching domestic operations in 2021, Breeze has rapidly grown its network to 70 destinations across the United States.
Although it has operated international charter flights, the DOT’s approval marks the first time the airline will offer scheduled service abroad. The first routes are expected to launch by late 2025, initially targeting leisure destinations in the Caribbean and Latin America, followed by seasonal routes to Europe, including Ireland and the UK.
To support these overwater flights, Breeze is working to obtain ETOPS certification and flag carrier status from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The airline currently operates a fleet of 52 aircraft, including 42 Airbus A220-300 jets. Breeze plans to phase out its Embraer E-Jets by 2026, completing its transition to an all-A220 fleet.
With a range of approximately 3,000 miles (4,800 km), the A220 is well suited for mid-haul routes with high fuel efficiency.
The DOT’s approval positions Breeze for international expansion at a time when airlines are struggling with delivery delays from Boeing and Airbus.
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