Breeze Airways is adding more nonstop flights to the Caribbean basin this winter, with new service from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Florida to destinations including Punta Cana and Cancun.
The expansion adds another batch of low-cost nonstop options for travelers heading south during the peak winter travel season, particularly from secondary and mid-sized U.S. cities that have seen growing demand for Caribbean service over the last two years.
The new routes include flights from Columbus, Ohio; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Richmond, Virginia; and Tampa, Florida, with fares starting as low as $129 one way.
The carrier continues to focus much of its international growth on warm-weather leisure destinations, particularly beach markets with strong winter demand.
It comes as Breeze just announced new flights coming to St Thomas in the USVI.
New Flights From Columbus
Breeze Airways is launching new seasonal nonstop service from Columbus, Ohio to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
The route begins January 8 and will operate twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays, with fares from $179 one way.
Introductory fares start at $179 one way.
The new route adds another direct Caribbean option from central Ohio, a market that has continued to see increased leisure demand to destinations in the Dominican Republic.
Punta Cana remains one of the Caribbean’s fastest-growing resort destinations for U.S. travelers, particularly during the winter months when all-inclusive resorts across the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic see high occupancy.
Travelers arriving in Punta Cana International Airport are within close reach of major resort areas including Bavaro, Cap Cana, Uvero Alto, and Arena Gorda.
The region continues to attract travelers looking for large beachfront resorts, golf resorts, adults-only properties, and family all-inclusive hotels.
Pittsburgh Is Getting Two New Caribbean Basin Routes
Breeze is also adding two new seasonal nonstop routes from Pittsburgh International Airport to Cancun, Mexico and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Breeze is also adding two new seasonal nonstop routes from Pittsburgh International Airport.
The flights launch January 7.
Both routes will operate three times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
Introductory fares begin at $179 one way, according to the company.
The Cancun route adds another nonstop option from western Pennsylvania to Mexico’s Caribbean coast, one of the busiest leisure corridors in the region during the winter season.
Travelers flying into Cancun International Airport can reach destinations across the Mexican Caribbean including the Hotel Zone, Costa Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, and Tulum.
The route is particularly significant for travelers looking for shorter nonstop access to all-inclusive resorts during the peak January through March travel window.
The new Punta Cana service from Pittsburgh gives travelers another nonstop route to the Dominican Republic without needing a connection through Florida or the Northeast.
That has become an increasingly important factor for winter leisure travelers looking to reduce total travel time and avoid congested hub airports.
Richmond Adds Cancun Flights
Richmond, Virginia is also getting new seasonal nonstop service to Cancun, Mexico.
The route launches January 8 and will operate twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays.
Fares begin at $149 one way.
The new service adds one of the few nonstop Caribbean basin routes currently available from Richmond and continues a broader trend of airlines expanding international leisure service from smaller East Coast markets.
For travelers in central Virginia, the route eliminates the need for connections through Charlotte, Atlanta, or Miami for trips to the Mexican Caribbean.
Winter remains the busiest season for Cancun and the Riviera Maya, particularly for travelers looking for warm-weather beach trips during January, February, and spring break season.
The new Richmond route adds another direct option into one of the Caribbean basin’s busiest winter leisure markets.
New Tampa Service to Cancun
Breeze is also launching new nonstop service from Tampa, Florida to Cancun, Mexico.
The route begins December 19 and will operate twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Introductory fares start at $129 one way, making it the lowest announced fare among the carrier’s new winter Caribbean basin routes.
The addition strengthens Cancun’s position as one of the most connected leisure destinations in the wider Caribbean region.
For Tampa-area travelers, the route adds another direct international option from Tampa International Airport during one of the busiest outbound leisure periods of the year.
The timing is particularly important for holiday and winter travel demand, with the service beginning just ahead of Christmas and New Year travel.
Cancun continues to benefit from strong hotel development activity, particularly in Costa Mujeres and along the Riviera Maya corridor south of the airport.
Travelers continue to show strong interest in newer luxury all-inclusive resorts alongside established resort brands with extensive beachfront inventory.
The destination also remains one of the strongest performers for package vacations from the United States.
Breeze’s Caribbean Growth Continues
The new routes are part of a broader expansion strategy by Breeze Airways into leisure-focused international markets.
The carrier has increasingly targeted underserved U.S. cities with nonstop service to vacation destinations that previously required connections through larger airline hubs.
That model has become increasingly popular among travelers looking for simpler routing options and lower fares during the winter season.
Airlines have continued adding capacity across the region ahead of the winter season, with travelers continuing to prioritize warm-weather beach destinations and all-inclusive resorts.
Breeze’s expansion also reflects continued traveler demand for nonstop service from mid-sized cities where Caribbean options were historically limited.
That trend has accelerated since the pandemic, particularly as airlines focus more heavily on point-to-point leisure routes instead of relying exclusively on major connecting hubs.
For travelers in Columbus, Pittsburgh, Richmond, and Tampa, the new flights add more direct winter access to two of the Caribbean basin’s busiest resort destinations.
Caribbean Journal Staff
2026-05-08 18:42:00