Tampa airport lands new nonstop route to Southern California

Breeze Airways says it will add a new California destination to Tampa International Airport in May, when it begins nonstop service to Orange County, California.

The seasonal route to Santa Ana's John Wayne Airport will begin May 31 on Mondays and Fridays, Breeze says, and will connect the region to TPA's third-largest unserved market for the first time.

Orange County, the southern neighbor of Los Angeles County, has a population of more than 3 million. It is known for Disneyland, surfing and a number of other attractions, and serves as a home to several Fortune 500 companies, Breeze says.

Breeze says it is also adding Monday and Friday nonstop flights to Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport in South Carolina. Those seasonal flights begin May 10, Breeze says.

TPA currently has more than 80 nonstop flights to U.S. and international destinations.

TPA CEO Joe Lopano says he is excited to have a nonstop flight to the Los Angeles metropolitan area and a new South Carolina destination.

"With additional service to Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, Breeze continues to expand Tampa Bay's access to key destinations across the U.S.," says Lopano in the statement. 

Breeze says both routes will use Breeze's Airbus A220-300 aircraft, which feature economy, premium economy with an extra legroom seat and its "Nicest" choice: a reclining Breeze Ascent seat, two checked bags, priority boarding and complimentary snacks and beverages, including alcohol.

Breeze has been steadily adding new nonstop flights from TPA to underserved markets since 2021. In November, Breeze added planned 2024 flights to Burlington, Vermont; Plattsburgh, New York; Madison, Wisconsin; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Headquartered in Cottonwood Heights, Utah, Breeze Airways was founded in 2021 and operates more than 150 year-round and seasonal nonstop routes between 35 cities in 21 states. Breeze also serves airports in Sarasota and Fort Myers.

Its inaugural flight took off May 27, 2021, from TPA, destined for Charleston, South Carolina. 

"Since we started flying from Tampa in May 2021, Breeze has continued to add desirable destinations to our rapidly growing footprint," says David Neeleman, Breeze CEO and founder, in the statement.