SUMMARY
- Breeze Airways announced it is upping its Airbus A220 game, converting ten options into firm orders, solidifying its status as a top customer.
- Breeze is all in with the A220, with plans to operate solely using this aircraft type, emphasizing its efficiency and passenger experience.
- The airline continues to grow rapidly, receiving 1-2 new A220s per month and intends to complete its order of 90 by 2028, replacing older aircraft.
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US ‘nice’ low-cost carrier Breeze Airways has revealed an order for additional Airbus A220 aircraft. With a cleverly timed 2/20 announcement, the carrier announced it is converting ten of its options into firm orders, making Breeze the third largest customer worldwide for the A220.
All in with the A220
Breeze completed certification for the A220 and took delivery of its first Airbus aircraft in December 2021, just under seven months after beginning operations. The carrier currently has 22 Airbus A220-300s in its fleet and expects delivery of ten more by the end of the year. The order brings the airline’s total firm order for the aircraft type to 90, with 30 options remaining.
Permission to operate international flights would allow the airline to tap into several growing markets from the US.
The carrier confirmed it will transition all its scheduled operations to its A220 fleet, which is configured with 12 seats in its premium Breeze Ascent Cabin, followed by 45 seats featuring extra legroom, and 80 in standard economy class at the back. The move will also enable Breeze to operate the youngest fleet in the country, with an average aircraft age of less than two years old.
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, EVP of Sales and Commercial Aircraft at Airbus, noted how the aircraft fits with Breeze’s growth strategy:
“Thanks to its world class performance capabilities, the A220 is the perfect aircraft to help Breeze achieve its goal to provide nonstop service between underserved routes across the United States.
“The aircraft offers efficient operations and an outstanding passenger experience, all while operating with the world’s lowest small single-aisle carbon footprint and a lower noise footprint in the communities where it flies. This additional order from Breeze is a strong endorsement for the value and opportunities offered by this latest generation aircraft.”
Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock
According to officials at Breeze, approximately a quarter of the airline’s customers are now repeat passengers, many of whom have responded positively to the Airbus A220, highlighting features such as the large windows and overhead bins.
Ramping up deliveries
Breeze Airways’ CEO, David Neeleman, confirmed today that the carrier is receiving new aircraft at the rate of 1-2 per month and expects to receive the entirety of its order by 2028. When asked the airline’s reasoning for the conversion to firm orders, Neeleman noted that the carrier had identified up to 4,000 routes that are possible using the A220 and expressed a desire to solidify its orders to avoid its optioned aircraft falling further down the backlog.
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The planes will gradually replace the carrier’s Embraer aircraft, which will shift to exclusively charter operations. Breeze’s charter business is growing rapidly, flying over 600 flights last month and increasing by up to 51% in peak months year over year. Of the transition, Neeleman noted how the A220 is opening up markets and resonating well with customers.
“Breeze’s business model is to bring air service to underserved markets across the U.S. so the vast majority of our routes have no nonstop competition, and the economics of the A220 are integral to that success, which enables thin routes to be profitable.
“We’re always growing, adding new cities and routes, but we’re also seeing more of our markets mature, resulting in more frequencies there too. Also, travelers love flying the A220 which is clear from our NPS scores in the mid 70s and our high percentage of repeat Guests. What better date than 2/20 to announce the purchase of more A220s!”
Photo: Tad Denson | Airwind
Premium customers traveling on Breeze’s mainline fleet may also get a boost. Speaking to the press today, Neeleman confirmed the carrier was interested in expanding the A220’s first class cabin to 16 seats – a move that results in the loss of only one seat per row, thanks to the aircraft’s 2×3 seat layout in the main cabin.
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The carrier is offering 20% off its base fare on flights booked today and tomorrow to celebrate the announcement. To take advantage of the sale, customers have only to apply the discount ‘A220’ at checkout for roundtrip travel from March 6th through September 3rd, 2024.
