New airline makes flying across the US a breeze

Breeze Airways is an upstart low-budget airline that is shaking up the domestic flying scene in the US.

The carrier started operations last year and last week it revealed plans for several new routes at ultra-low prices.

Breeze CEO David Neeleman, who founded the JetBlue operation, told USA Today that the airline plans to open operations in Orange County, California, from the quaintly named John Wayne Airport.

Breeze recently won take-off and landing slots at the airport outside Los Angeles.

"We went in and made a good case that we could do something different," Neeleman said. "The airport authority agreed with us."

Breeze is based in Provo, Utah, but will start operations in and out of Orange County from February with destinations including Orlando in Florida.

"We wanted to do something different to offer the community something they’ve never had access to before," Breeze Chief Commercial Officer Lukas Johnson told the newspaper. "They have very little (transcontinental) service despite being a premium airport."

Introductory fares will start at $US119 one-way between Orange County and Orlando, and $49 one-way between Provo and Orange County - but flights at those prices must be purchased by Wednesday.

Breeze plans to continue growing its network in 2023 and eventually hopes to serve more destinations from Orange County if it can secure more landing slots.

As part of its expansion, the airline will add two new cities to its flight plans: Vero Beach in Florida and Cincinnati in Ohio.

The airline will fly from Cincinnati to Charleston and San Francisco with fares starting from $US39 starting in February 2023.

Breeze's business plan is to utilise smaller airports and secondary markets, such as Provo, and connect to bigger markets. Orange County is considered a secondary market to Los Angeles International.