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Atlantic City's tourism industry is getting a lift as Breeze Airways becomes the third airline to offer service from Atlantic City International Airport, with new routes launching this spring.
Starting May 6, Breeze will offer twice-weekly nonstop flights to Charleston, South Carolina, followed by service to Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, beginning June 11, according to PhillyVoice. The airline will also provide one-stop "BreezeThru" service to Tampa, Florida, without requiring passengers to change planes.
"Atlantic City is not only a great destination for travelers, but also a gateway to many other metro areas," said Breeze Airways founder and CEO David Neeleman in a statement. Neeleman is also known for founding JetBlue Airways and Canada's WestJet.
Local officials welcomed the announcement on Wednesday, seeing it as perfectly timed to bring summer visitors to the city's attractions.
"The new routes give travelers from the southern New Jersey/Philadelphia region more convenient access to two popular and growing destinations, whether they are flying for business, visiting family, or enjoying a weekend getaway," said Stephen F. Dougherty, executive director of the South Jersey Transportation Authority.
Breeze joins Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Air at the airport, creating a trio of carriers serving the gaming and entertainment destination. Spirit had been the sole carrier at Atlantic City for about a decade until Allegiant began service last year.
The expansion aligns with Breeze's business model of connecting "underserved" mid-sized markets with nonstop flights. Founded in 2021, the airline targets leisure travelers while offering amenities like first-class seating on most aircraft, setting it apart from other budget airlines.
For travelers interested in the new routes, Breeze is offering introductory one-way fares starting at $49 to Charleston and $39 to Raleigh-Durham.
The airline's arrival comes at a strategic time for Atlantic City, which has seen changes in air service recently. Spirit Airlines closed its crew base at the airport in 2024 and reduced routes before filing for bankruptcy later that year, though it still maintains eight to ten daily departures from the location, primarily to Florida destinations.
Atlantic City International Airport also offers an American Airlines bus service that connects travelers to Philadelphia International Airport, allowing passengers to clear TSA security in New Jersey before being dropped directly at their terminals in Philadelphia.