Breeze Airways Launches First Caribbean Flights: Affordable Routes to Punta Cana, Montego Bay & Cancun

The Caribbean travel landscape is about to get significantly more accessible for budget-conscious American travelers. Breeze Airways, one of the United States’ fastest-growing budget airlines, has just announced a game-changing expansion that will mark its inaugural venture into international territory. Starting in early 2026, this customer-favorite carrier will launch seven new routes connecting underserved U.S. cities directly to some of the Caribbean’s most beloved destinations, including the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Mexico’s Caribbean coast. With introductory fares starting as low as $99 one-way, Breeze is positioning itself to become a major player in affordable Caribbean travel while simultaneously shaking up the competitive landscape that legacy carriers have dominated for years.

Breeze Airways: The Disruptor Transforming Budget Air Travel

Since its launch in 2021, Breeze Airways has rapidly distinguished itself in America’s crowded budget airline market. Founded by David Neeleman, the entrepreneurial mind behind JetBlue Airways, Breeze inherited the DNA of customer-first service that made JetBlue successful while maintaining the affordability travelers expect from budget carriers. In just four years, Breeze has built a reputation for connecting underserved communities with nonstop flights to desirable destinations, filling gaps that major airlines have overlooked or abandoned. The airline’s philosophy centers on making air travel accessible, comfortable, and refreshingly straightforward—no hidden fees, no unnecessary complications, just reliable service at competitive prices. Now, with international certification secured and its Caribbean expansion announced, Breeze is ready to bring this same customer-focused approach to travelers seeking tropical escapes without breaking the bank. This strategic move couldn’t come at a better time, as traditional budget carriers like Spirit Airlines face bankruptcy challenges and route reductions, creating opportunities for nimble newcomers to capture market share and win over travelers looking for better alternatives.

Punta Cana: Your Gateway to Dominican Paradise

Direct Flights from Raleigh to the Dominican Republic’s Crown Jewel

Breeze Airways is launching its very first Caribbean route with service to Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic’s premier beach destination that has captivated American travelers for decades. Starting March 4, 2026, passengers departing from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) can book direct flights to Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with introductory fares beginning at just $159 one-way. This timing couldn’t be more perfect for North Carolina travelers planning spring break getaways or early-season Caribbean vacations when winter fatigue reaches its peak.

Punta Cana represents the quintessential Caribbean experience with its seemingly endless stretches of pristine white-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and an impressive collection of world-class all-inclusive resorts that cater to every budget and travel style. What makes Punta Cana particularly appealing is its unique ability to offer luxury experiences at surprisingly affordable prices—travelers can enjoy five-star amenities, gourmet dining, premium cocktails, and beachfront accommodations without the astronomical price tags associated with other Caribbean islands. Beyond the resort gates, Punta Cana offers adventure seekers opportunities for zip-lining through tropical forests, exploring natural caves and cenotes, visiting local villages to experience authentic Dominican culture, and taking catamaran excursions to pristine offshore islands where the snorkeling rivals anywhere in the Caribbean.

Montego Bay: Jamaica’s Timeless Caribbean Treasure

Two New Routes Connecting Tampa and Raleigh to Jamaica

Breeze Airways is doubling down on Jamaica by launching two separate routes to Montego Bay, Jamaica’s tourism capital and the island’s second-largest city. Tampa residents will enjoy the first opportunity to fly Breeze to Montego Bay starting February 11, 2026, with seasonal Wednesday and Saturday service priced from an incredibly affordable $99 one-way—making this potentially the cheapest direct flight to Jamaica from Florida’s Gulf Coast. Following closely behind, Raleigh passengers can book their Jamaican adventures beginning March 5, 2026, with Thursday and Sunday flights starting at $139 one-way.

Montego Bay has earned its reputation as one of the Caribbean’s most iconic destinations through decades of delivering picture-perfect beach vacations combined with authentic Jamaican culture, world-famous hospitality, and natural beauty that seems almost too perfect to be real. The city serves as the gateway to Jamaica’s north coast, where travelers can explore the famous Doctor’s Cave Beach with its reputed healing waters, visit historic Rose Hall Great House with its fascinating plantation history, experience the vibrant Hip Strip with its restaurants and nightlife, or venture into the countryside to discover cascading waterfalls, river rafting adventures on bamboo rafts, and authentic jerk chicken prepared over traditional pimento wood fires. What sets Montego Bay apart from other Caribbean destinations is Jamaica’s distinctive culture—the infectious reggae rhythms, the warm and genuinely friendly locals who embody the island’s “no problem” philosophy, the rich culinary traditions that extend far beyond resort buffets, and the breathtaking landscapes where mountains dramatically meet the sea in perfect harmony.

Cancun: Four New Routes to Mexico’s Caribbean Paradise

Breeze Expands Access from Underserved East Coast Cities

Breeze Airways is making its most aggressive Caribbean push with four new routes to Cancun, Mexico’s Caribbean coast destination that consistently ranks among Americans’ favorite international beach getaways. What makes this expansion particularly significant is that three of these four routes will provide the only direct service to Cancun from their respective cities, giving travelers exclusive nonstop access that previously required inconvenient connections through major hubs. The airline will launch Saturday-only seasonal service from Providence, Rhode Island (beginning February 14, 2026, from $159 one-way), New Orleans, Louisiana (beginning February 7, 2026, from $99 one-way), Charleston, South Carolina (beginning January 17, 2026, from $119 one-way), and Norfolk, Virginia (beginning January 10, 2026, from $139 one-way). Cancun remains the Caribbean’s most visited destination for excellent reasons—its hotel zone stretches along miles of powdery white beaches facing impossibly blue waters, the nearby Riviera Maya offers endless exploration opportunities including ancient Mayan ruins at Tulum and Chichen Itza, underground rivers and cenotes provide unique swimming experiences in crystal-clear freshwater caves, and the destination offers something for every type of traveler from luxury seekers to backpackers, families to party-goers, adventure enthusiasts to beach loungers. Despite challenges like seasonal seaweed invasions that have affected the entire Caribbean region, Cancun continues thriving by constantly evolving its offerings with new resort openings, innovative dining concepts, improved environmental initiatives, and expanding attractions that go far beyond traditional beach activities to include world-class scuba diving, swimming with whale sharks, exploring eco-parks, experiencing traditional Mexican culture in nearby villages, and enjoying nightlife that rivals major world cities.

What Breeze’s Caribbean Expansion Means for Travelers

Breeze Airways’ entry into Caribbean markets represents more than just additional flight options—it signals a fundamental shift in how Americans can access tropical destinations. By connecting smaller and mid-sized cities directly to popular Caribbean destinations, Breeze eliminates the time-consuming and often expensive requirement of connecting through major hubs like Miami, Atlanta, or Charlotte. This convenience factor cannot be overstated, as direct flights transform six or seven-hour travel days into quick three-hour hops that allow travelers to maximize their precious vacation time rather than spending half of it navigating busy airports.

The competitive pricing starting under $100 one-way makes Caribbean travel accessible to budget-conscious families, young travelers, and anyone who previously considered these destinations financially out of reach. However, potential travelers should note that these are seasonal routes, meaning availability is limited to specific days and travel periods, so advance planning and flexibility will be essential for securing these attractive fares. Additionally, as introductory promotional rates, these ultra-low prices may increase as routes mature and demand stabilizes, though Breeze’s budget-focused business model suggests pricing should remain competitive even after initial promotions end. Smart travelers will want to book early, sign up for Breeze’s fare alerts, and remain flexible with travel dates to maximize savings on these exciting new Caribbean connections.

Planning Your Breeze Caribbean Getaway

With launch dates spanning from January through March 2026, travelers have ample time to plan their Caribbean adventures on Breeze Airways. The seasonal nature of these routes means they’re specifically timed to capture peak demand periods when northern travelers most desperately need tropical escapes and when Caribbean destinations offer their best weather conditions. Before booking, travelers should carefully review Breeze’s baggage policies, seat selection fees, and any additional charges that might apply, as budget carriers typically unbundle services to maintain their low base fares—though Breeze has earned praise for being more transparent and customer-friendly than competitors in this regard.

Each destination offers distinct advantages: Punta Cana delivers the ultimate all-inclusive resort experience with exceptional value, Montego Bay provides authentic Caribbean culture combined with natural beauty and adventure options, while Cancun offers the most developed tourism infrastructure with endless dining, entertainment, and excursion choices. Consider factors like travel party composition, preferred vacation style, specific interests, and budget constraints when selecting your destination. Families might gravitate toward Cancun’s variety and established tourism amenities, couples seeking romance might prefer Punta Cana’s intimate resort settings, and travelers prioritizing cultural immersion alongside beach relaxation will find Montego Bay’s authentic Jamaican experience irresistible. Regardless of which route you choose, Breeze Airways is democratizing Caribbean travel by making these dream destinations more accessible than ever for Americans in underserved markets.

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