BIRMINGHAM, Ala — Breeze Airways, a fast-growing low-cost carrier, will launch two new nonstop destinations from Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport this summer, giving local travelers direct flights to South Florida and North Carolina’s Research Triangle for the first time in several years.
Beginning July 3, Breeze will operate twice-weekly nonstop service from Birmingham to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida and Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina. The flights are scheduled on Mondays and Fridays, aimed at weekend and leisure travelers. Introductory one-way fares are advertised starting at 59 dollars to Fort Lauderdale and 49 dollars to Raleigh-Durham, according to the airline and airport announcements.
The new routes also mark Breeze’s entry into the Birmingham market, adding another carrier to the airport’s lineup. Breeze plans to serve Birmingham with Airbus A220-300 aircraft and pitch the flights as “premium leisure” service with no change or cancellation fees and options for extra legroom and other upgrades. The airline has expanded rapidly across the Sun Belt and has been recognized in industry rankings, including being named among the best domestic airlines by a leading travel magazine and earning honors from a passenger experience association.
Airport officials say the added service reflects strong passenger demand at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth, where traffic has rebounded close to pre-pandemic levels. Local leaders have spent several years courting Breeze as part of a broader effort to increase the number of nonstop destinations available to central Alabama travelers. The new flights will give Birmingham-area residents additional options for vacations, cruises and business trips without connecting through larger hubs such as Atlanta or Charlotte.
Tickets for the new Fort Lauderdale and Raleigh-Durham flights are on sale through Breeze’s website and app, with the carrier currently planning to operate both routes at least through the summer travel season.