Non-Stop Flights to Charleston, SC & Norfolk, VA Start February 17 Available Now on Sale with Fares as Low as $39
December 6th, 2021 –
Today Breeze Airways Chairman and CEO David Neeleman joined Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter, Airport Commissioner Shelley LaRose-Arken, and business and community leaders from across Long Island to announce Breeze Airways’ non-stop air service from Long Island MacArthur Airport to Charleston, SC and Norfolk, VA.
Long Island MacArthur becomes Breeze’s 17th airport, and its first airport in the state of New York.
WATCH NOW: Breeze Airways Selects Long Island MacArthur Airport as Its First New York Airport
Breeze will inaugurate four weekly roundtrips between Islip and Norfolk, VA, on February 17, on Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays and Mondays. On February 18, Breeze will introduce twice weekly roundtrips between Islip and Charleston, SC, on Fridays and Mondays. Fares will start at $39 one-way.Neeleman, entrepreneur and founder of 5 commercial air carriers, revealed the formation of his newest airline, eventually named Breeze Airways, in June 2018. Breeze Airways immediately became the most highly anticipated US airline startup in two decades. Breeze received its air carrier certification from the US Department of Transportation on May 14, 2021, having conducted proving runs and other certification requirements from an operational base at Long Island MacArthur Airport. Breeze began commercial operations May 27, 2021.
“It feels so great to be back in New York, albeit down the road somewhat from my days at JFK,” said Mr Neeleman. “Breeze’s model is to add new non-stop service on routes other airlines don’t fly, connecting cities with a short non-stop that otherwise would require a long drive or a change of planes. As we say, ‘Breeze will get you there in about half the time for around half the price’. We see a lot of opportunity at Long Island MacArthur and I look forward to adding more routes.”
“Breeze Airways holds a special place in our hearts,” said Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter. “We’ve been watching Breeze carefully since David Neeleman first visualized the carrier. We had the opportunity to show Breeze Long Island hospitality during the US Department of Transportation air carrier certification process. We believe our professionalism, perseverance, and community support helped showcase our area, bringing this exciting new service to fruition,” added Supervisor Carpenter.
“David Neeleman’s mission to bring together a nice group of people to run a seriously nice airline with great service, innovation, and low fares won our hearts from the start,” said Commissioner LaRose-Arken. “We are a different kind of airport located in the largest metro market in the country. Breeze offers a unique opportunity to disrupt the marketplace with its competitive fares, and reshape air travel for Long Island and New York with its fast, affordable, point-to-point service,” she added.Breeze will fly 108-seat Embraer 190 aircraft.
“Long Island MacArthur Airport is taking off: On the heels of passage of the bipartisan infrastructure package – in which I secured over $21.5 million for the airport – there will now be a new carrier with nonstop flights to new destinations, increasing travel options for Long Islanders. I applaud Supervisor Angie Carpenter, Airport Commissioner Shelley LaRose-Arken and her team, County Executive Steve Bellone, Breeze Airways, and my friend David Neeleman, for their work and commitment to bringing new service to and from MacArthur. This is a great development for Islip, Suffolk County, and all of Long Island." – Senator Chuck Schumer.
Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Hope Knight said, “New York is proud to welcome Breeze Airways to MacArthur Airport. The aviation industry is a key part of the State’s economy, and Long Island – as the “Cradle of Aviation” -- has played a pivotal role in the sector’s growth. This new partnership will facilitate regional development, create local jobs, and help to promote tourism not just on Long Island, but across the Empire State.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Breeze Airways to Long Island,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “MacArthur Airport has long been an engine of economic growth in our County, and this new partnership will further drive opportunities for residents and strengthen the region. It is a testament to the renowned service and professionalism of MacArthur Airport that David Neeleman chose Long Island for his new airline’s first New York State airport.” Bellone added. “We are proud to welcome him home.”
“The return of David Neeleman to New York aviation is a pivotal point for Long Island MacArthur Airport and the region,” said Kevin Law, NYS Economic Development LI Region co-chair. “Breeze Airways will bring affordable travel to untapped leisure markets in a major metropolitan area. We are grateful to Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter and Airport Commissioner Shelley LaRose-Arken for having the vision and fortitude to bring sought-after airlines to Long Island MacArthur Airport,” said Law.
"Long Island MacArthur Airport and HIA-LI partnered to highlight air travel opportunities for a next generation air carrier to capitalize and demonstrate how the marketplace could be a huge success. Our recent Air Travel Survey validated that fact,” said Joe Campolo, HIA-LI Past Board Chairperson and Managing Partner at Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP. “We know that there is incredible opportunity for airlines to serve Long Island through convenient Long Island MacArthur Airport,” he said.
Robert Schneider, Deputy Commissioner stated, “we got to know the Breeze team, and enjoyed working with a carrier that aims to be the ‘World’s Nicest Airline.’ As wonderful as it was to see Breeze planes operating on the airfield during the certification process, we are elated they will be flying from MacArthur to Charleston, SC and Norfolk, VA - two new non-stop cities. We look forward to continuing to work with Breeze as their New York launch city, and to ensure their long-term success,” Schneider said.
“MacArthur Airport produces thousands of skilled jobs for Long Island and is an economic engine for our region,” said Supervisor Carpenter. “Breeze is a great win for our airport and our community. We are grateful for the arrival of this new airline, and for our existing carriers – Southwest, Frontier and American. We also expect additional air carriers will see the benefit and opportunity of serving 2.8 million potential customers close to their homes and businesses. MacArthur Airport is clean, comfortable and provides flights to great destinations, as well as a wonderful way to bring friends, family and colleagues to our region,” Carpenter said.
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ABOUT BREEZE AIRWAYS: Breeze Airways, which commenced service between 16 cities across 13 states in May 2021, is the nation’s best funded start up airline in history. Founded by aviation entrepreneur David Neeleman, the low fare carrier merges kindness and technology to deliver its signature “Seriously Nice”™ nonstop service between secondary airports bypassing hubs and saving its Guests time and money. The airline recently announced an order of 80 A220-300 aircraft, the first of which will enter service in mid-2022.
ABOUT LONG ISLAND MACARTHUR AIRPORT: Long Island MacArthur Airport customers enjoy flights on four major US domestic air carriers: American Airlines, Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines and Southwest Airlines. Together these carriers currently provide service to 13 cities nonstop, and connect to hundreds of destinations worldwide. The airport serves 1.6M passengers annually and employs 6000 people directly and indirectly, with a $16M annual operating budget and an economic impact of $600M to the region and local economy.