I’ve Flown Breeze Airways 4 Times: My Unfiltered Thoughts
When I first saw that Breeze had an oddly specific direct flight from a secondary airport in California to a random midwest city for under $50, I was excited but hesitant.
What’s the catch? Why does this direct flight even exist? Who the heck is Breeze Airways? Will I die?
Well, I booked that flight, which saved myself both a layover and hundreds of dollars.
I had a good experience, and I’ve since flown Breeze three more times.
I’ll Be Sharing The Pros, The Cons, and My Best Tips for Getting The Most Out of a Breeze Airways Flight
But before we get into the nitty gritty of the seats, the entertainment, the booking, and the destinations, let’s get cover the basics.
My Quick Summary of Breeze
- Breeze is a typical budget airline in terms of its model: the base fare is cheap, and everything is extra. This is great news for me because I always travel with just a backpack. If you check bags and like fancy things when flying, Breeze probably isn’t the airline for you.
- They fly direct to seemingly random destinations, so every now and then it’s the only direct flight option. If it’s serving your starting and final destination directly, it’s probably your best choice. This is how they compete with the big airlines. They fly underserved routes. I hate layovers, so this is a win.
- For a budget airline, it’s pretty comfortable. The seat legroom is good. The seats themselves aren’t great, though. They have entertainment available on your phone for free. I got to watch Happy Feet. Huge win.
- The staff is exceptionally nice. I’ve flown tons of airlines. The Breeze flight attendants are always chill. It reminds me of the feeling of having a cool substitute teacher who’s like, “screw it, let’s just watch on movie.”
Okay, that may be enough for you to know, but if you want to go deeper, I’ll take you through the whole Breeze Airways experience.
When It Makes Sense to Fly Breeze Airways (and When It Doesn’t)
As I mentioned, Breeze Airways has direct flights from one minor airport to another. I flew them from Connecticut to Virginia Beach, from Orange County to Columbus, and Connecticut to Jacksonville, Florida. (The last one is a long story, don’t ask but it involves a blizzard in the northeast.)
They’re not a good airline for flying from New York to Chicago, but they are a good airline for flying New Orleans to Pittsburgh. It makes sense to Fly Breeze when one of their direct flights can save you a layover. So Breeze really depends on where you’re flying to and from.
Layovers Suck.
I hate them. I hate how they take up my whole day. I hate that it doubles my personal carbon emissions, as I talk about in my article on why I’m flying less. I hate that it often means I’ll spend more money.
Breeze direct flights are often $50-$100, which is a tough price to beat.
Great Airline for Light Travelers
I also hate checking bags. It’s expensive on any airline these days, but it’s also a pain to wait at baggage claim. I always travel with a backpack, which means I can get the best deal on airlines like Breeze.
If you don’t travel light, though, the costs will add up fast.
Suddenly, what seems like a great deal will just not make as much sense.
Better If Your Travel Dates Are Flexible
Another downside of Breeze is most of their routes are not daily. They’re often three days per week, as this example route is.
So even if the route is perfect, if the days don’t work out, you’re out of luck with Breeze.
Again, I’m a huge fan of traveling flexibly, as it’s also the way to get the best deal.
I’ve also noticed that the weekdays are much cheaper. So if you can only fly on weekends, you’ll likely pay more. This is true across most airlines, though.
If You’re Good at Planning Ahead
Snacks are extra on Breeze. (Although as I’ll mention, I like their snacks.) So just make sure you get your snacks and food if it’s a long flight, before you get on.
The Breeze Booking Experience
With other budget airlines like Avianca, I’ve written how their website sucks. Breeze actually has a great website that’s super easy to use.
I like that it lists the direct flight destinations.
I also like that it’s easy to see the different prices based on the day. Based on this, I obviously, I would leave on the Tuesday.
Simple, Clear Upgrades
It clearly shows what you get with the upgrades. And frankly, the upgrades are more reasonably priced on Breeze than other budget airlines like Spirit and Avianca.
One other note about their website and general service. I was able to cancel (even with the “No Flex Fare”) and redeem it for flight credit very easily.
As someone who travels a lot, this is often good enough for me, so I don’t buy the upgrade for free canceling.
The Breeze Inflight Experience
The in-flight experience is just good enough in some ways, but delightful with in others.
The Seats Are… Well Just Okay
Okay first let’s look at the legroom.
It’s fine. It’s actually better than American and United’s worst seats by fare.
However, the armrests and back of the seats aren’t very comfortable.
The tray table is standard, which is more than I can say for Spirit. I like how it has a smaller tray table designed for your phone, which brings me to entertainment.
The Entertainment is Easy and a Pretty Good Selection
It’s cool when airlines have TV screens. But sometimes they make you buy old-school headphones which is just so archaic.
A workaround for budget airlines is to have the movies and TV shows available online with their wifi, for free.
So you’ll have plenty of free movies and TV shows to choose from to watch on your phone.
Oh, and games, if that’s your thing. I could seem myself doing this at the peak of boredom.
Messaging is Also Free In Economy or “Nice”
You can also use iMessage and WhatsApp without buying wifi, which is really nice.
Wifi You Can Purchase
If you want wifi, you can buy it. I’ve never bought it, so I can’t speak to its usefulness or reliability. If you have bought their wifi, let me know in the comments!
The Staff Are My Favorite Part of Breeze
The Breeze staff don’t have overly formal uniforms, and I think they’re on the younger side.
Generally, this also make them cooler.
On my latest Breeze flight, my girlfriend and I went to buy a snack and he said, “It’s my last flight of the day, just take them.” What a legend.
In general, they’re laid back and not stuck up like flight attendants on many other airlines.
The Snacks You Gotta Buy, But At Least They’re Good
However, one thing they’re not is cheap. $4.50 for peanut M&Ms?? You’re still better off stocking up on snacks before you get to the airport.
Overall, Breeze Is Nice. It May Even Be Nicer. It’s Not The Nicest.
I’ll fly them anytime there’s a direct flight that makes logistical sense for me. If the destinations work for you, and you don’t mind the typical drawbacks of budget airlines, then I think you’ll have a perfectly satisfactory experience.
If you do take them, let me know how it goes here in the comments!
Appendix: Is Breeze Good for Pets? Maybe Not…
Big shout-out to Andrew G., whose comment you’ll see down below.
I don’t have pets, so I wasn’t able to give a review of this experience. Here’s a shortened version of what he had to say:
“Their [pet] fee is cheaper, but they don’t seem to have any controls in the booking process for multiple pets in the same row. I’ve had two flights where I shared the row with other pets. The first had my cat in a row with a dog.
The second time I was in a 3-seat row and they booked me with two people who also had cats. 3 people, 3 seats, 3 cats. Seriously? We’re lucky all the cats were mellow but it was really concerning.
Plus, they’ve designed their planes so that you can’t fit a pet in the Ascent seats.”
If you’re traveling with a pet, think twice about Breeze.
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I’ve flown Breeze a few times myself!!! No real complaints. I can appreciate their accommodations overall. As you said the overall experience was pretty cool for a cheap ✈️. I just wish they had way more destinations cause they are definitely worth it!!!. (Ps. I took the “Gulfport trip”🤣)
Thank you so much for this.
Thx great info
My flight was great from NC to NY. I had a great experience with this Airline. Nothing that that I can negatively. It will be my Airline in the future. Thanks!
Thx for this, I’m looking at same, RDU to ROC.
Thanks for your info. I’ve never flown on Breeze. I wanted to know how much they charge for a carry on bag?
I think this depends on the flight becuase the “Nice” fare will include a carry-on bag. I’m looking at a few examples now and it looks like it’s in the $30-$50 range.
I just returned to Ct. Roundtrip from Sarasota ,Florida ! First time on Breeze
and was really impressed !! It didn’t feel like budget at all .I was bringing a
3 month old puppy to my sister in Sarasota so the direct trip was a lifesaver. The attendants were great and very friendly and the plane was
Nice and clean! It was on time and who needs snack anyhow ! Breeze is my. Airline now !
Well, y’all have convinced me. This late spring I am flying from San Diego to Pittsburgh. Talk about extremes, but with Breeze, it is direct and inexpensive. United Points are not worth the layover. If “I don’t die,” I will try to remember to come back here and report! Thank you all for the info.
Did you die? I was looking for your update!
I just flew Breeze from PWM to MCO. My flight was delayed 5 hours but I was told about this the night before which made it somewhat more convenient. The WIFI did not work for me. They said they could not find my reservation and would not let me pay for it either. The free entertainment did work, however on my device.
I flew Breeze in 2024 Jax to Hartford because of the direct flight, though the lower price was nice. However, both flights had looong delays. The outbound flight was delayed to the next day and then another delay of 3 hours waiting for a flight crew to arrive from Sarasota with not much communication. The return flight had a 3 hour delay, first one hour, then another hour, then another hour. So I didn’t really avoid a layover. Not sure if I’ll fly them again.
I’ve flown Breeze a number of times from Los Angeles to Norfolk and have traveled with a pet. I will agree that the airline experience feels a bit nicer than standard economy on some of the legacy carriers, but I also feel Breeze is very much learning how to be an airline.
This is especially with regards to pets. Their fee is cheaper, but they don’t seem to have any controls in the booking process for multiple pets in the same row. I’ve had two flights where I shared the row with other pets. The first had my cat in a row with a dog. I had paid for extra legroom and Breeze reassigned me to a seat with no legroom without my consent. I had to stay on them at the counter to complain I was being financially punished for their error. They finally made amends by giving me a row to myself.
The second time I was in a 3-seat row and they booked me with two people who also had cats. 3 people, 3 seats, 3 cats. Seriously? We’re lucky all the cats were mellow but it was really concerning.
Plus, they’ve designed their planes so that you can’t fit a pet in the Ascent seats. I know these issues only impact a small number of travelers, but it’s already so stressful trying to travel with a pet that these little things matter. If I had a better choice I wouldn’t take my cat, trust me!
Thanks for sharing your experience! I don’t have pets, so this is something I didn’t think about. Great points to know for anybody who’s considering flying Breeze with a pet.
Safe travels to you and your cat lol.
I should amend this a bit – Breeze is substantially cheaper than the majors for pet fees and, at least lately, I’ve had good luck traveling with my cat.
Thank you so much for this candid review. Is there a way to “follow you” for other reviews and articles? I enjoyed your writing style.
Thanks Melissa!
Check out my monthly newsletter. It has its own tab on my website.
Came across a Breeze ad in the most unexpected place—a fortune cookie! Made me look them up, which I guess means the marketing worked. Thinking about trying them out for a short trip. How was the legroom for those who’ve flown with them?
The legroom is typical. I’ve been on American and United flights with much worse legroom before. I’m speaking for the basic seats though.
I have flown Breeze out of Portland,Maine to Florida. I really enjoy the flights and their staff.
They don’t publish the size of your personal item. I go to funeral. I have a very small Rollie bag. The size of a backpack nut it has wheels. Will they make me pay??
Hi Gina, the personal item must fit under the seat. So if it has wheels, it probably won’t fit.
That means you’d need to have a carry-on as well, in addition to the personal item, which means you’ll have to get one of the upgraded options.
Anyone know how to edit your account information? They put in an incorrect phone number and I don’t know how to correct it.
Many thanks, Paul
Do the seats recline?
Yes, they do.
Has anyone flown with sporting equipment? I’m heading down to Jax for a hockey tournament later this summer and I’m not looking to break the bank for a weekend trip, but I want to make sure my gear will make it down with me in one piece.
Thanks for the very helpful overview. My main concern with flying very small airlines without daily flights to destinations (or multiple flights/day) is in the event of a flight cancellation, you could be stuck for days or have to pay high, last-minute rates on another airline to get to your destination that day.
That’s a great point. Good to keep in mind if you have a strict arrival day/time.
I did the flight from Providence to Daytona. It was quick, easy and sooooo fast. Loved it
I’m leaving out on breeze to Florida. As far as my luggage, will I get it once I land? I won’t have issues w/my luggage ,will i?
I’ve flown on Breeze before. Their customer service is lacking. I had a poor experience with one of the flight attendants, Shelby DiSanza, on my flight from CHS to HPN. She was extremely unpleasant, yelled at customers and even her fellow attendants thought her behavior was erratic and unprofessional. I complained to the airline with more comprehensive details about what I witnessed and experience, but they didn’t seem to address it with the seriousness I think her behavior warranted.
Breeze is a nightmare to get your points from their credit card points program from Barclays. I have tried for three weeks to get my points credited to my breeze account. The card company will not help me. They said there are two different member numbers and breeze has to make the changes. You cannot call breeze. They try this online crap and they make it impossible to do anything. I hate their customer service. Online is great to get your flights but if there is anything else you need, Good Luck trying to get help and get it resolved. HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH ACCOUNTS. YOU CANNOT GET A HUMAN TO RESOLVE ANYTHING!
This is not suprising to hear. Budget airlines typically cut costs by having poor CS. I’ve accepted that it’s a gamble for booking cheap flights.
We just got Breeze airlines in our small town. Thanks for letting us know your experience.
Flew for the first time iat age 66 yrs old in my life on Breeze from CT to Jacksonville, FL. I, absolutely, have no complaints. The staff made me feel safe and comfortable. Sat in seat couple rows behind wings, and felt comfortable and plenty of room for me at 5’8″. If/when I fly again, will be looking at Breeze first before other airlines for options. Thank you Breeze.