BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Travelers at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport now have a new way to reach Florida and North Carolina without connections, as Breeze Airways began twice-weekly nonstop service July 3 with introductory fares as low as $49.
The Utah-based carrier launched flights between Birmingham and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Birmingham and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, operating on Mondays and Fridays. The airline said one-way fares start at $59 for the Fort Lauderdale route and $49 for Raleigh-Durham, positioning the new service as a low-cost option for leisure and family travel.
The addition marks Breeze’s first service in the Birmingham market and expands the airport’s list of nonstop destinations at a time when the facility is celebrating 95 years of operation.
Breeze said it chose Fort Lauderdale and Raleigh-Durham as its initial Birmingham destinations based on anticipated demand for direct flights to those growing metro areas. The schedule gives Birmingham residents twice-weekly, same-day round-trip possibilities to South Florida’s beaches and attractions, as well as connections through Raleigh-Durham to the Research Triangle and mid-Atlantic region.
For many travelers, the new routes offer a more convenient alternative to driving or connecting through larger hubs. A nonstop flight to Fort Lauderdale can turn a weekend beach trip or family visit into a more manageable itinerary, while the Raleigh-Durham option opens up easier access to North Carolina’s universities and technology corridor.
Airport officials noted the service adds to a roster that now includes nonstop flights to 22 airports in 19 cities, serving nearly 3.3 million passengers in 2025.
Birmingham’s commercial airport opened May 31, 1931, when American Airways began scheduled service, making it one of the South’s early airline hubs. The facility grew steadily through the mid-20th century, adding runways and terminals, and was known for decades as Birmingham International Airport.
In 2008, the Birmingham Airport Authority renamed the facility Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport to honor the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, a Birmingham-born civil rights leader who played a key role in the movement that helped end segregation. Since then, the airport has undergone major modernization projects, including a terminal expansion that doubled its footprint.
Airport leaders have described BHM as an economic engine for central Alabama, drawing business and tourism while supporting jobs in aviation, hospitality and related industries. The addition of a fifth airline—Breeze joins existing carriers at the field—fits into that long-term growth story, officials said in a February announcement about the new service.
Breeze Airways was founded in 2018 by David Neeleman, a serial airline entrepreneur who also helped create Morris Air, WestJet, JetBlue Airways and Azul Brazilian Airlines. Headquartered in Cottonwood Heights, Utah, Breeze focuses on underserved mid-size markets, often operating routes with little or no direct competition.
The carrier launched operations in 2021 and has expanded to more than 225 routes across 60 cities in 30 states, serving about 5 million passengers annually, according to company profiles. Breeze has been recognized by Travel + Leisure as one of the top five U.S. airlines and reported its first full quarter of operating profit in late 2024.
Neeleman, sometimes described as the “Steve Jobs of airlines” for his emphasis on customer experience and operational innovation, has said Breeze aims to make flying more affordable and convenient for people in communities that typically rely on connecting flights or long drives to reach major hubs. The Birmingham routes fit that strategy by linking the Magic City directly to two fast-growing metro areas.
Local travelers can now book low-fare, nonstop options to Fort Lauderdale and Raleigh-Durham without leaving the Birmingham metro area, a change that could benefit families, students, retirees and small-business owners alike. The twice-weekly schedule offers flexibility for weekend getaways and extended visits, while still keeping fares in the budget-airline range.
As BHM marks its 95th anniversary and continues to add capacity, the new Breeze service underscores the airport’s role as a growing gateway for Alabama. For many in the Magic City, it also means more choices—and cheaper tickets—when they head to the airport.