A Tale Of Two Airlines: Breeze Airways Scoops Up Routes Dropped By Avelo

Forbes

19-07-2025

Breeze Airways Airbus A220-300 airliner.
One low-cost airline's loss is another's gain. It didn't take long for fellow low-fare airline Breeze Airways to snatch up Avelo's abandoned routes from Burbank, CA (BUR).; Arcata, Calif. (ACV); Redmond, OR (RDM).; Eugene, OR (EUG).; and Pasco/Tri-Cities, WA (PSC.) The service from Breeze Airways will arrive in March 2026.
On July 15 I received an announcement from Avelo Airlines that the struggling carrier was closing its base at Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) later this year. After writing this story about Avelo, July 17 I got an announcement from Breeze Airways that it was launching its West Coast expansion with service to Burbank and four additional new cities. Although its competitor was never mentioned in the release, all five were previous Avelo destinations.
The two airlines both launched in the midst of COVID, Avelo in April 2021, Breeze in May of that year. And during the past four years, both have expanded, Avelo from 3 Boeing 737-800s to 21, Breeze to its current 48 aircraft. Breeze has 40 Airbus A220-300 aircraft acquired new, as well as eight older Embraer E-190 aircraft it is planning to trade in next year.
But while Avelo is retrenching, Breeze continues to expand. With service to the new destinations to begin in March 2026, Breeze now flies more than 300 routes in 76 cities and 34 states. And while Breeze is a private company, it recently reported its second full quarter of operating profit.
'With an expanded West Coast presence that connects travelers to our broader nationwide network, Breeze's service will bring even more options and convenience to these underserved communities,' said David Neeleman, Breeze Airways' founder and CEO. 'Our continued growth is evidence that our unique form of air travel that combines affordability and ease with high-value options like premium seating and inflight Wi-Fi is not only working, but highly desired by today's travelers.'
David Neeleman, Breeze Airways' founder and CEO. Neeleman, an airline veteran, was also a founder ... More and CEO of JetBlue.
If you'd like to try what Breeze calls its 'Seriously Nice' service, the time to buy your tickets is now. Breeze is running a No Flex Fare promotion which requires purchasing tickets from July 17, 2025, July 23, 2025 (11:59 pm PT). [All fares are one-way.]The $39 No Flex Fare promotion is available only when booking a new reservation for BUR-PVU, PVU-BUR, BUR-ACV, ACV-BUR, LAS-PVU, and PVU-LAS. The $49 No Flex Fare promotion is available only when booking a new reservation for BUR-RDM, RDM-BUR, LAS-RDM, RDM-LAS, BUR-PSC, PSC-BUR, BUR-EUG, and EUG-BUR. The BUR-PVU and PVU-BUR promotion is valid only for travel from March 11, 2026, through May 12, 2026.
The No Flex Fare is the airline's lowest fare. As a low-fare carrier, Breeze charges for services like seat assignment, luggage, food, etc. These can be purchased 'ala carte' or in packages dubbed Nice Nicer and Nicest
We spoke to Lukas Johnson, 43, the Chief Commercial Officer of Breeze, about the airline's entrée into the new airports. His official biography notes that 'with 14 years in senior leadership positions at Allegiant Air and Canada Jetlines, he has extensive experience in revenue management and network planning, launching more routes in that time than anyone else in the industry.
Johnson says, 'We had no inside knowledge' about Avelo's plans to exit the routes. However, he says, 'It's an interesting time for the space. Domestic hasn't just been struggling this year, but for at least two years.'
'We studied the routes out West, we look for underserved markets, we think we are the best carrier plane and model to pick up service. We're constantly in touch with many of the commercial airports; they were excited to get a long-term carrier.'
Passengers sitting in Breeze Ascent, or first class seats on a Breeze Airways Airbus A220-300.
Johnson says the airline will continue to use Provo, Utah as its main Western base, flying two to four flights out of Burbank a day. Most of the other destinations will have service two or three times per week.
He adds that with its brand-new fleet of Airbus A220-300 aircraft and offerings like free family seating, fast onboard Wi-Fi and no change and cancel fees, Breeze is 'making it nice to fly affordably'.
Unlike many low-cost airlines that offer just one class of service (like Avelo and Southwest) Breeze A220 have 137 seats, including 12 First Class, or "Breeze Ascent.' The lay-flat seat don't have the typical five-X price delta of transcontinental and international carriers. With most flight under three hours, Johnson says fliers can often upgrade for less than $100.
Some 45 seats have extra leg room. Families are seated together for no additional seating charge in the family section. Even if I might call it the 'no screaming' section, Johnson says he's flown with his young family very comfortably.
'We consider ourselves a premium 'nice' carrier,' Johnson says. 'The majority of our passengers are leisure travelers, but we also have a lot of small and mid-size business owners getting around the country,'
Lukas Johnson, Chief Commercial Officer of Breeze Airways.
Breeze flights are all domestic now, but Johnson says the company is planning to add 'near shore' international flights around Christmas. Johnson wouldn't disclose the destinations but think Mexico and/or the Caribbean. The company does have some transcontinental service, with LAX to Hartford, CT, its longest flight.
Passengers can book a flight at flybreeze.com or download the Breeze Airways app.
In June, Breeze ranked #4 among U.S. domestic carriers in on time performance. But like many things in the volatile airline industry, these rankings can change. In 2024, Avelo ranked #1 in this critical category. Even considering the economic headwinds, low-cost carriers like Avelo and Breeze continue to put out a competitive product.