Published on: May 4, 2026, 02:24h.
Updated on: May 4, 2026, 02:24h.
- Breeze Airways is set to launch new routes to Atlantic City
- This announcement follows the closure of Spirit Airlines
- Prior to its closure, Spirit was the largest airline serving Atlantic City
Breeze Airways is enhancing its services to Atlantic City, announcing the news on Saturday, May 2, the same day Spirit Airlines disclosed its shutdown.
Prior to Spirit’s closure, it was the dominant airline at Atlantic City International Airport. Now, Breeze, a low-cost airline dedicated to connecting underserved regions, has announced the addition of four new nonstop routes from Atlantic City.
Starting July 3, Breeze will commence daily nonstop flights from Atlantic City to Orlando, with one-way fares beginning at $89.
On October 22, Breeze will also offer routes connecting Atlantic City with Myrtle Beach and Fort Myers. Myrtle Beach flights will operate Thursdays and Sundays, starting at $49, while Fort Myers will have flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, with fares beginning at $89.
Additionally, Breeze will begin service to West Palm Beach on December 17, with flights available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, starting at $89.
Founded by David Neeleman, a prominent figure in the airline industry known for establishing JetBlue, WestJet, Morris Air, and Azul Brazilian, Breeze represents a new venture for him.
Impact on Casino Cities
Atlantic City is largely a drive-to gaming destination, with its nine casinos heavily relying on traffic from New York, North Jersey, and Philadelphia for both leisure and business events.
When Breeze introduced Atlantic City as a new destination in January, Neeleman highlighted that the city “is not only a fantastic destination but also connects to numerous other metropolitan areas.” Following Spirit’s exit, the only airlines remaining in Atlantic City are Allegiant, based in Las Vegas, and Breeze itself. American Airlines operates a shuttle service from Atlantic City to Philadelphia International Airport.
Spirit’s closure significantly affects Las Vegas, the largest gaming hub in the US.
According to data from Harry Reid International Airport, Spirit was the second-largest airline in 2024, catering to nearly eight million passengers arriving and departing from LAS. However, Spirit’s passenger count at Harry Reid plummeted to about 4.6 million last year, resulting in a drop to eighth place in overall passenger traffic.
Reasons Behind Spirit’s Closure
The shutdown of Spirit Airlines stemmed from various contributing factors.
Several analysts attribute this downfall to the US government’s decision to block a merger with JetBlue in 2024, which limited Spirit’s capacity to expand and compete with larger carriers offering lower economy fares.
Escalating fuel prices, intensified by the US war in Iran, combined with failed negotiations for a $500 million bailout from the Trump administration, have also been cited as causes for Spirit’s closure.
Critics of the proposed bailout pointed out Spirit’s long history of financial issues, including two filings for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Public sentiment towards Spirit was predominantly negative, especially regarding its business practices, such as charging for services that other airlines offer for free—like carry-on bags, personal items, printed boarding passes, and non-alcoholic beverages on flights.