🎙️Podcast Summary: Breeze Airways is stirring up the skies over Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) this summer with a few unexpected moves—and a bold push for more Florida sun. While the ultra-low-cost airline will temporarily suspend its nonstop flight to Sarasota-Bradenton in June, Breeze isn’t leaving beach lovers high and dry. Instead, it’s increasing service to other popular Florida escapes like Fort Myers and West Palm Beach, with brand-new destinations joining the route map soon. The airline continues to flex its muscles at RDU, where it’s offering several exclusive routes and setting itself up for a competitive — and affordable — summer travel season.

🛫 Key Takeaways:

• Sarasota Suspended: Breeze Airways will pause its RDU to Sarasota route starting June 2025. “We made some adjustments to our schedule,” said Breeze spokesman Ryne Williams. The route returns in early September.

• Florida Focus Shifted: Breeze doubles down on Fort Myers and West Palm Beach:

  • Fort Myers service increases to six flights per week starting the week of April 28.
  • West Palm Beach gets four flights a week, beginning June 30.

• Holiday Surge: Expect frequency to ramp up again in November and December, with peak schedules offering up to five flights per week.

• Route Exclusives:

  • Breeze is the only carrier flying RDU to Sarasota and West Palm Beach.
  • Avelo Airlines is the only other airline serving Fort Myers from RDU.

• New Destinations Launching:

  • Pensacola (launching in April) – Breeze becomes the only airline serving this route from RDU.
  • Memphis (May) – Exclusive nonstop service by Breeze.
  • Orlando (May) – Breeze joins the competition versus Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, and Southwest.
  • Rochester, NY (May) – New route competing directly with Avelo.
  • Albany, NY (June) – Breeze joins Avelo on this route.

• Competitive Strategy: Breeze is leveraging its low-cost positioning and exclusive route access at RDU to attract price-conscious vacationers and regional travelers.

🌐 Bonus Context:

• Breeze Airways, founded by JetBlue’s former CEO David Neeleman, is known for its “Nice Low Fares” model and point-to-point focus. Its expansion at RDU reflects broader efforts to test underserved or seasonal routes.
• By temporarily cutting Sarasota, Breeze may be optimizing aircraft utilization and focusing on markets with higher summer demand.
• RDU’s summer travel is heating up, and Breeze looks determined to turn up the volume.

✈️Buckle up, Triangle travelers—Breeze is changing the flight plan, and it’s clear they’re betting big on Florida sunshine and exclusive access to new cities.
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