Today, I’m talking. not about cruise ships, but flights, specifically my recent trip with Breeze Airways, flying nonstop from Orlando to Scranton, PA. Buckle up, because this is going to be a casual, tell-it-like-it-is rundown of Breeze and how this journey went down—spoiler alert: it’s a mixed bag.
Breeze Airways: Who?
Let’s start with the basics. Breeze Airways is a relatively new kid on the block, launched in May 2021 by David Neeleman, the guy behind JetBlue and a few other airlines. The whole idea? Affordable, no-frills flights to smaller, underserved cities—think Scranton instead of just the usual suspects like NYC or LA. They’re all about “nice” travel, with a focus on nonstop routes to save you the headache of layovers. Breeze operates out of hubs like Tampa, Charleston, and, yep, Orlando, which is where my story picks up.
Their fleet is mostly Airbus A220-300s, with a handful of Embraer E190s and E195s sprinkled in. The A220s seat about 137 passengers depending on the setup. Breeze keeps it simple with three seating options: “Nice,” “Nicer,” and “Nicest.” Nice is your basic economy—think standard seat, no frills. Nicer gets you extra legroom and a free checked bag. Nicest, their version of first class, promises bigger seats (think 2-2 layout), priority boarding (in theory), free snacks, drinks, and that coveted extra space and is available only on the A220, which was my ride for this trip. Sounds great, right? Well, hold that thought.
My Flying Roots and Why This Trip Mattered
I used to be a frequent flyer back in the day—pre-9/11, when air travel was actually fun. I racked up around a million miles over the years, sipping cocktails at 30,000 feet, stretching out in roomy seats, and generally loving life. Flying was an adventure, not a chore. Then, well, 9/11 happened, and everything changed. Security lines got longer, seats got smaller, and airlines started packing us in like sardines—honestly, I think sardine cans have stricter regulations than some planes these days. Modern flying? It’s like having your toenails ripped out, one TSA pat-down at a time.
So, when I needed to get to Scranton, PA, I was dead set on a nonstop option. Winter in the Northeast is no joke—snow can snarl connections faster than you can say “de-icing.” Living in Delray Beach, FL, I’ve got West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale airports nearby, but none offered a direct flight to Scranton. Every option had a layover, and I wasn’t about to risk missing a connection in some snowy hub like Charlotte or Philly.
Enter Breeze Airways. I’d heard buzz about their focus on smaller markets and nonstop routes, and lo and behold, Scranton was on their list—out of Orlando, anyway. Orlando’s a 2.5-hour drive from Delray, which I’d normally do without blinking, but this time, I opted for the Brightline train. If you haven’t tried Brightline yet, it’s a game-changer—comfy seats, no I-95 traffic stress, and about the same travel time. I figured I’d kick back and let someone else handle the commute.
Booking the Breeze Experience
For this trip, I went all-in and booked “Nicest” seats—Breeze’s first-class equivalent—for both my outbound and return flights. It promised those cushy 2-2 seats, free snacks, drinks, and the whole priority boarding perk.
I rolled into Orlando International Airport (MCO) after my Brightline ride, and let’s just say security was its usual nightmare self. For those who have flown from MCO, you know this airport is literally Hell on Earth – even with TSA PreCheck. I made it to the gate with time to spare, only to find out my flight was delayed. The gate agents kept announcing “boarding soon” like nothing was wrong, then suddenly caught on to the delay. Communication breakdown much?
When boarding finally kicked off, I was ready for that “Nicest” priority treatment. Nope. Breeze does things differently—first came passengers needing assistance (fair enough), then “family boarding,” and only then first class and other zones. Here’s the thing: you’re in Orlando. Everyone’s a family heading to or from Disney. The gate turned into a chaotic sea of strollers, whining kids, and parents juggling Mickey ears. By the time “Nicest” was called, it felt like an afterthought.
Onboard, I settled into my roomy first-class seat—comfy, no complaints there. But no pre-departure drink? Huh. I’d expected a little welcome sip, but nothing. Then I tried the Wi-Fi—advertised as a perk—and it was a bust. I asked a flight attendant, and he shrugged, “Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Looks like it doesn’t today.” Awesome. We pushed back about 30 minutes late, but the flight itself was smooth. Snacks and drinks came around—standard stuff, nothing fancy—and we landed in Scranton without drama. Okay, not terrible, but not exactly “Nicest” either.
If the outbound flight was mildly annoying, the return trip cranked my frustration to 11. Same deal at Scranton’s airport: boarding started with assistance, then families, then us “Nicest” folks. But here’s the kicker—since this flight was headed to Orlando, it was packed with families en route to Disney. When they called “family boarding,” literally everyone in the gate area stood up and started to board with their toddlers… and teens. By the time first class was called, there were maybe a dozen of us left. I’d paid extra for priority, and I was basically last on the plane. The boarding door closed minutes after I sat down, so again, no pre-departure drink. Wi-Fi worked this time, though—small win.
The flight itself? Fine. Snacks, drinks, uneventful landing back in Orlando. But that boarding process stuck in my craw. If I’m shelling out for first class, why am I boarding with the stragglers? It’s not about snobbery—it’s about getting what you paid for. Breeze’s “family first” policy makes zero sense when first class is only 12 seats. Board us first, then let the families sort themselves out. It’s not rocket science.
Wrapping It Up: Breeze, You’ve Got Potential
So, what’s the verdict? Breeze Airways has a cool concept—nonstop flights to places like Scranton are a godsend, especially in winter. The “Nicest” seats are comfy, the price isn’t outrageous, and the inflight service is par for the course. But their boarding policy? A total misfire. It turned a perk into a frustration, especially on family-heavy routes like Orlando. Fix that, and they’d be onto something.
Would I fly Breeze again? Maybe—if it’s the only nonstop option and I’m feeling patient. For now, I’ll chalk this up as an adventure with some bumps.