Breeze Airways to add 17 new routes and expand Myrtle Beach flights

Breeze Airways will add 17 new nonstop routes and significantly expand its service to Myrtle Beach, as part of a broad summer 2026 growth push, underscoring rising demand for travel to the South Carolina coastal destination. The US-based low-cost carrier said the expansion, effective from July 2026, includes new routes, increased frequencies on existing services and additional capacity to both Myrtle Beach and Fort Lauderdale. Tickets for the new flights are already on sale. The move positions Myrtle Beach as a key node in Breeze’s point-to-point network, reflecting both population growth and sustained tourism demand in the region.

“For nearly five years, Breeze has been filling a long-overlooked gap in the industry by connecting underserved markets with affordable, nonstop service,” said David Neeleman, the airline’s founder and chief executive, according to the Fly Breeze report. “The addition of these new cities and routes will allow even more travellers to save hours that would otherwise be spent flying through hubs or driving.”

Expanded Myrtle Beach schedule

Under the revised schedule, several existing routes to Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) will see higher frequencies from 1 July. Service from Akron-Canton, Ohio, will increase to daily flights, up from five times weekly. Fort Lauderdale, Florida, will operate six times per week. Flights from New York/Islip will run four times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. In addition, Breeze will launch new seasonal nonstop service from Pittsburgh beginning 3 July, operating on Mondays and Fridays with fares starting from $39. A new “BreezeThru” one-stop, no-change-of-plane service from Portland, Maine, will commence on 2 July. The airline said the changes are designed to accommodate heightened summer demand from both residents and visitors travelling to the coastal city.

Broader route expansion

Beyond Myrtle Beach, Breeze’s July 2026 growth plan introduces 17 new nonstop routes across its network. According to a company news release, the expansion includes a mix of seasonal and year-round services, alongside increased frequency on several popular existing routes. New destinations include seasonal nonstop flights between Pittsburgh and selected markets from early July. Portland, Maine, will see the introduction of BreezeThru services. Manchester, New Hampshire, is set to gain twice-weekly seasonal nonstop flights from February through May. Long Island/Islip will also receive new nonstop services beginning in May. The airline is deploying its Airbus A220-300 fleet on many of the new routes. The fuel-efficient aircraft, alongside Embraer jets already in service, forms part of Breeze’s strategy to keep operating costs low while serving secondary airports.

Targeting underserved markets

Founded in 2021 by aviation entrepreneur David Neeleman, Breeze Airways operates as a low-cost carrier focused on linking smaller and underserved cities with direct services. The airline markets itself as a “Nice Low-Cost Carrier”, offering no change or cancellation fees and emphasising point-to-point connectivity rather than traditional hub-and-spoke models. The latest expansion reinforces that model. By increasing nonstop options from secondary airports, Breeze aims to capture travellers seeking to avoid larger congested hubs. Point-to-point leisure travel has remained resilient even as broader airline demand fluctuates. Low-cost carriers have capitalised on this trend by targeting leisure-heavy destinations such as Myrtle Beach, where both inbound tourism and local population growth support sustained traffic.

Competitive summer season

The announcement comes as US airlines prepare for a competitive summer 2026 season, with carriers adjusting capacity to match shifting travel patterns. Increasing frequencies rather than relying solely on new routes allows airlines to deepen presence in high-performing markets while managing operational risk. For Myrtle Beach, the additional services strengthen its connectivity to north-eastern and midwestern cities, potentially broadening its catchment area for weekend and short-break travel. Whether the expansion translates into durable year-round growth will depend on sustained demand beyond peak summer months. For now, Breeze is betting that direct, affordable access to secondary destinations will continue to resonate with travellers seeking convenience over connection. As airlines recalibrate networks in response to changing travel habits, Breeze’s latest move signals confidence that coastal leisure markets remain central to its growth strategy.