Breeze Airways is adding two more warm-weather routes from Florida, including a new nonstop flight to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and the airline’s first-ever service to San Jose, Costa Rica.
The carrier announced the expansion this week as part of its continued push into Caribbean and Latin American flying following its certification as a U.S. Flag carrier by the FAA last fall.
Beginning July 2, Breeze will launch nonstop flights between Tampa International Airport and Punta Cana, with twice-weekly service operating on Thursdays and Sundays.
Then on Oct. 3, the airline will begin nonstop service between Tampa and San Jose, Costa Rica, operating Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The news comes as Breeze is also set to launch new flights to St Thomas out of Atlantic City.
Introductory fares on both routes start at $129 one-way.
The Punta Cana addition gives Tampa travelers another direct option to one of the Caribbean’s busiest leisure destinations, where demand for all-inclusive resorts and beach vacations has remained strong across the post-pandemic travel boom.
For Tampa International Airport, the Costa Rica route is particularly significant.
Airport officials said the San Jose service marks the first nonstop route between Tampa and Costa Rica in more than 25 years.
Breeze Keeps Expanding in the Caribbean
The announcement continues Breeze Airways’ aggressive expansion into Caribbean and near-Caribbean markets.
The airline has increasingly targeted underserved international routes from secondary U.S. cities, using its fleet of Airbus A220-300 aircraft to build nonstop service that larger carriers often overlook.
With the new additions, Breeze now serves more than 300 nonstop routes across 87 cities in the United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
“This announcement doubles the number of international destinations Breeze serves from Tampa,” said Breeze founder and CEO David Neeleman.
The airline has spent the last several years carving out a niche between ultra-low-cost carriers and legacy airlines, emphasizing nonstop flying, smaller airports and upgraded onboard amenities.
That includes free family seating, onboard WiFi, preferred seating options and no change or cancellation fees.
Punta Cana Continues Its Flight Boom
The Punta Cana route adds to what has already become one of the fastest-growing airlift markets in the Caribbean.
The Dominican Republic destination continues to attract new routes from across the United States as hotel growth accelerates along the country’s eastern coast.
Punta Cana remains the Caribbean’s leading all-inclusive market, with major brands continuing to add new resorts and adults-only concepts across the region surrounding Bavaro Beach, Cap Cana and Uvero Alto.
For Florida travelers, the route also creates another relatively short nonstop option for long-weekend Caribbean trips.
Costa Rica Demand Keeps Rising
The Costa Rica addition reflects another broader regional trend: continued growth in demand for Central American leisure travel.
San Jose serves as a gateway for travelers heading to destinations across Costa Rica, including Pacific Coast beach towns, rainforest resorts and eco-lodges.
The route also gives Tampa-area travelers a direct option into a destination that has seen rapidly rising popularity among travelers seeking nature-focused vacations and adventure travel.
Tampa International Airport CEO Michael Stephens called both routes important additions to the airport’s international network.
“With new service to San Jose, Costa Rica — our first time offering this destination from TPA in more than 25 years — and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, we’re enhancing Tampa Bay’s access to two sought-after travel spots,” Stephens said.
Breeze Is Betting on Underserved Markets
Breeze’s broader strategy continues to focus on nonstop service between markets that traditionally required connections on larger airlines.
That approach has helped the carrier expand quickly across leisure-heavy destinations, particularly in the Caribbean basin and Latin America.
Caribbean Journal Staff
2026-05-20 00:14:00