Breeze Airways has started flying from Dayton International Airport (DAY) in Ohio, opening the city with nonstop flights to Fort Lauderdale on October 9, with Fort Myers and Raleigh-Durham to follow before the end of the year.
The first Breeze flight from Dayton departed for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) on Friday, October 9. The route operates twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays, and Breeze advertised launch fares from $49 one way.
"We're thrilled to welcome our first Dayton Guests on board," said David Neeleman, founder and CEO of Breeze Airways. "Nonstop service to Fort Lauderdale is just the beginning. Later this month we'll add Fort Myers, followed by Raleigh-Durham in November. We look forward to growing in Dayton and giving our Guests a high-value experience right from their own backyard."
Four routes from Dayton
Breeze first announced Dayton as a new city on June 24, when it put four routes on sale. The full Dayton line-up is:
- Fort Lauderdale (FLL): nonstop on Mondays and Fridays from October 9.
- Fort Myers (RSW): nonstop on Mondays and Fridays from October 23.
- Raleigh-Durham (RDU): nonstop on Mondays and Fridays from November 6.
- Sarasota-Bradenton (SRQ): one-stop, no-change-of-plane "BreezeThru" service on Mondays and Fridays from November 6.
The October 9 flight is Breeze's first from Dayton, although the airline has served other parts of Ohio since 2021.
What the airport says
Dayton International Airport Aviation Director Gil Turner said the launch followed months of local interest. "Today, a new partnership becomes new air service for our travelers," he said. "Since Breeze announced its plans in June, we have seen strong interest from the community, and watching the first passengers board for Fort Lauderdale is a proud moment for everyone who helped make it happen."
Speaking to local broadcaster WHIO, Turner said he expects the new service to put pressure on fares. "Breeze Airways is known for low fares, and I think this is gonna give the community what they need: cheaper fares to go to where they want to go, particularly in the Florida markets," he said. He added that the airport is always looking at new destinations and hopes Breeze will add more over time.
Some of the first passengers were heading to Florida for a weekend of sport. One couple told WHIO they were flying down to watch the Cincinnati Bengals play the Miami Dolphins, and that their round-trip tickets cost $230 each after taxes, plus bag fees.
A classic Breeze market
Dayton fits the pattern Breeze has followed since it started flying in 2021. The airline, founded by JetBlue founder David Neeleman, looks for mid-sized U.S. cities that have lost nonstop service or never had it, then links them with leisure destinations a few times a week rather than daily.
Florida is at the center of that model. Fort Lauderdale and Fort Myers are two of the largest leisure markets in the state, and both are popular winter destinations for travelers from the Midwest. Raleigh-Durham adds a different kind of traffic, linking Dayton with North Carolina's Research Triangle for both business and family visits.
The BreezeThru product to Sarasota-Bradenton shows another part of the strategy. Instead of starting a separate nonstop, Breeze sells a through flight that stops on the way but keeps passengers on the same aircraft. That lets the airline offer a new destination without committing a dedicated aircraft rotation.
What travelers should know
With service on only two days a week on each route, Breeze is not a like-for-like substitute for the network carriers at Dayton, which connect the city with major hubs several times a day. Its appeal is a direct flight to the beach without a connection, often at a lower fare.
Passengers should note the different start dates: only Fort Lauderdale is flying now, Fort Myers begins on October 23, and both Raleigh-Durham and the Sarasota-Bradenton BreezeThru begin on November 6. Fares, schedules and promotional pricing are subject to change, so travelers should check details on Breeze's website before booking.
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