Gover McKee, RIAC, Elected Officials Announce New Breeze Airways Nonstop Services From PVD to LAX and Other New Routes

First West Coast Fl9ights for Rhode Island T. F. Green International

WARWICK, RI – Governor Dan McKee joined Rhode Island elected officials, the Rhode Island Airport Corporation and Breeze Airways, JetBlue founder David Neeleman’s new low-cost airline, in announcing the addition of five new routes from Rhode Island International Airport (PVD) this summer, including direct service to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). This is the first flight from the west coast of the airport. The new twice-weekly Providence/Los Angeles service (Wednesdays and Saturdays) will be operated by Breeze’s fleet of new Airbus A220s. Breeze will nearly triple its fleet this year from 13 aircraft to 30.

“Today is an exciting day for Rhode Island as we announce a long-awaited nonstop route to the West Coast,” said Governor Dan McKee. “With the new flights providing greater access to Rhode Island, we look forward to welcoming more overnight visitors, which means more spending at our restaurants, more spending at our retail businesses and more money spent on arts and cultural activities, all which supports thousands of jobs and tens of thousands of families across our state.”

The new routes of the International Airport T.F. Rhode Island Greens include:

Columbus, OH (Fridays and Mondays, beginning May 27, Nice from $49* one way; Nicer from $99*; seasonal summer route);
Jacksonville, FL (Friday and Monday, starting May 27, from $59* one way; Nicer from $109*);
Savannah, GA (Fridays and Mondays, starting June 3rd, Nice from $59* one way; Nicer from $109*; seasonal summer route);
Los Angeles, CA** (Wednesdays and Saturdays, starting June 29, Nice from $99* one way; Nicer from $189*; Nicest from $199*; seasonal summer route); and
Richmond, VA (Thursday and Sunday, starting June 30, Nice from $49* one way; Nicer from $89*).

The routes that will be operated with the Airbus A220 are marked with two **

Breeze Airways began flying from Rhode Island in the summer of 2021 and currently offers three nonstop destinations from PVD, including service to Charleston, SC (CHS), Norfolk, VA (ORF) and Pittsburgh, PA (PIT). With the addition of these five new routes, Rhode Island’s TF Green International Airport now offers 32 nonstop destinations, an 88% increase from 2016, with more nonstop routes available now than before the COVID-19 pandemic (23 from winter 2019/2020).

“This is a wonderful day, not only for Rhode Island’s TF Green International Airport, but for Rhode Island as we welcome the first direct flights from our airport to the West Coast,” said Iftikhar Ahmad, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation. “These five new routes are good news for leisure and business travelers to and from our state. We really appreciate Breeze Airways’ continued investment in serving our state and region.”

“I worked with the FAA for years on RIAC’s version of ‘Project Runway’ with this goal in mind: more flight options for Rhode Islanders, including West Coast service, and more options to connect our state with destinations across the country and around the world. This is another positive development for Rhode Island air travel and there will be many more to come,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed, senior member of the Subcommittee on Appropriations on Transportation, Housing and Development. Urban and Related Agencies (THUD), who led efforts to secure more than $200 million in federal funds to extend the runway and modernize the airport.”

“Our natural attractions, hospitality, and arts and culture industries are second to none,” said Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos. “We are excited to open our doors to so many new regions across the country and even more excited for our local business owners to show them the best of Rhode Island.”

“We really appreciate Breeze Airways’ continued investments in our local economy, particularly with the nonstop route to Los Angeles,” said Rhode Island House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi. “This is truly a historic day for the airport. More affordable flights to and from these exciting destinations are good news for Rhode Island’s economy and we look forward to continuing a fruitful partnership with Breeze Airways.”

“Increased connectivity to and from southern New England is wonderful news for Rhode Island’s economy, including our tourism industry,” said Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey. “These exciting new routes will create even more job creation opportunities and more revenue for our city and our state.”

“I’m proud to help announce these important new connections for our state, courtesy of Breeze Airways, our state’s fastest growing airline partner,” said Warwick Mayor Frank Picozzi. “TF Green International Airport in Rhode Island is proud to be our region’s ‘easy airport,’ and the City of Warwick couldn’t be happier to welcome more visitors and celebrate this expansion of ‘easy’ airline, Breeze Airways.

“As our nation continues to recover from the pandemic, the Ocean State is becoming one of the nation’s most preferred leisure destinations and a preferred gateway for visitors to all of New England,” said Board Chairman of the RIAC, Jonathan N. Savage. “We are proud that Breeze Airways continues to recognize Rhode Island as a growing attraction for both leisure and business travel and we are confident that this is the start of more good things to come for both Breeze Airways and PVD.”

Initial deliveries of Breeze’s A220 aircraft will feature 126 seats, including 36 first-class seats in a two-by-two configuration, 10 seats with extra legroom and 80 standard economy seats in a two-by-three configuration. However, the seating configuration of the A220 is dynamic and subsequent deliveries will offer 137 seats in total, 12 first class seats, 45 extra legroom seats and 80 standard economy seats on board. Guests can choose from three price packages offered as “Nice”, “Nicer” and “Nicest” service. Guests can even choose a Nice or Nicer package and purchase an upgrade to a First Class seat.

“The A220-300 is a game changer for us as we now add long-haul flights and transcontinental service,” said Breeze founder and CEO David Neeleman. “The Airbus aircraft embodies the Breeze ideal of merging friendliness with technology, combining unrivaled passenger comfort with eco-efficiency. With the A220, Breeze offers our passengers the widest cabin, highest ceiling, largest windows and largest overhead stowage space in its class, while managing to burn 25% less fuel, with the half the noise footprint of past generations.”

“Both our leisure travelers and our business travelers have long advocated for a nonstop flight on the West Coast from our state’s airport. That day has come, and it’s very exciting,” said Commerce Secretary Rhode Island, Stefan Pryor. “All of these new routes will reinforce our already strong position as a major business and tourism hub within the United States. We are grateful to Breeze Airways, including CEO David Neeleman and Vice President Danny Cox, Chairman Jon Savage and President and CEO Iftikhar Ahmad of RI Airport Corporation, Governor McKee, President Shekarchi and Senate President Ruggerio for joining forces and making this new set of routes possible.”

With hassle-free booking, no change or cancellation fees, up to 24 months of reusable flight credit, and personalized flight features delivered through an elegant and simple app, Breeze makes it easy to shop and fly. Flights are on sale now at www.flybreeze.com and through the Breeze app.

About Breeze Airways: Breeze Airways, which began operations in May 2021, is the nation’s best-funded emerging airline in history. Breeze provides service between 16 cities in 13 states, growing to 18 cities and 14 states by February 19, 2022. Founded by aviation entrepreneur David Neeleman, the low-cost airline blends friendliness and technology to deliver its signature nonstop service. Seriously Nice™ between secondary airports, bypassing hubs, saving guests time and money. The airline recently announced an order for 80 A220-300 aircraft, the first of which will enter service in May 2022. With Breeze there are never any change or cancellation fees.

About David Neeleman: Breeze is Neeleman’s fifth airline start-up after Morris Air, WestJet (Canada), JetBlue and Azul (Brazil). Neeleman was the first to create electronic airline tickets while at Morris Air. He received the prestigious Airline Business Award in 2021, in recognition of his three decades as an industry innovator, and the 2005 Tony Jannus Award for his contributions to the airline industry.

* Introductory fare promotion is only available upon rebooking and on select routes. Supply is limited. No advance purchase requirement applies. Promotion must be purchased before March 11