I’ve been planning on taking my first Breeze Airways flight in the near future, though was trying to wait until the airline completed its Wi-Fi rollout, so that I’d get the full experience. In this post I wanted to take an updated look at where Breeze Airways stands when it comes to installing Wi-Fi, as this has been a gradual process.
In this post:
Breeze Airways’ slow Wi-Fi rollout
US ultra low cost carrier Breeze Airways launched operations in 2021. Even prior to Breeze starting flights, the airline marketed how it would offer amazing tech, including Wi-Fi. Unfortunately for a vast majority of passengers in the first couple of years of service, that didn’t prove to be the case:
- Breeze initially started operations with Embraer E190/195 aircraft, and those didn’t feature Wi-Fi (and still don’t)
- When Breeze started A220 operations in early 2022, planes also didn’t initially have Wi-Fi, even though the plan all along was for these planes to eventually feature that
In 2023, the airline finally got serious about installing Wi-Fi on its Airbus A220s, so what’s the progress like on that front? Well, Breeze now has a fleet of 22 Airbus A220s, and a majority of them do feature Wi-Fi. The airline has committed to completing its Wi-Fi installation in Q2 2024, and is even aiming for the beginning of the quarter. So hopefully by April or May, all Breeze A220s will have Wi-Fi.
Note that Breeze has no plans to install Wi-Fi on Embraer E190/195s. Then again, the airline plans to remove those from its regularly scheduled passenger flights by the end of 2024, and exclusively use those planes for charters.
It’s nice to see that the airline is almost done with this project. However it’s a bit disappointing that Breeze will have been in operation for around three years before a specific fleet type consistently has Wi-Fi.
Breeze isn’t just flying short haul routes, but rather operates some transcon flights, where I’m sure a lot of customers would appreciate being able to reliably stay connected.
Breeze Airways Wi-Fi speed & cost
Breeze Airways is partnering with Viasat for its inflight Wi-Fi, which is among the best connectivity you’ll find above the clouds. So you can look forward to good Wi-Fi speeds if you’re on a Breeze aircraft with Wi-Fi.
So, what is Breeze’s Wi-Fi pricing like?
- The airline offers free inflight messaging to all passengers, through apps like iMessage, WhatsApp, etc.
- The airline includes free Wi-Fi with its “Nicest” (first class seating) and “Nicer” (extra legroom seating) fare bundles
- The airline charges $8 for Wi-Fi for its basic “Nice” fare bundles, though that pricing covers multiple devices
I’m happy to see the airline including Wi-Fi for its premium fare bundles, and even otherwise having reasonable pricing for this service, especially since the cost includes multiple devices.
Bottom line
Breeze Airways is making good progress with installing Viasat Wi-Fi throughout its Airbus A220 fleet. All of these aircraft should feature Wi-Fi by Q2 2024. Wi-Fi is included with Breeze’s premium fare bundles, and costs $8 for other passengers, though everyone gets free messaging.
What do you make of Breeze’s Wi-Fi rollout?
We have flown Breeze twice out of CAK. First on the E190 and then the A220. The 220 was brand new and loved the windows. It was equipped with Wi-Fi as well. Huge Breeze fan and ALL the employees have been very friendly. Can’t wait for your review.
I live in a focus city and there's no place that I would want to fly to except Florida which requires 12 hrs due to connections. Also, other flights have been dropped before I even know about them.
Not worth the headache.
I was very happy with my nonstop from Westchester County Airport to LAX a year ago, since a friend lives just a few minutes from HPN. I was less happy that it took well over an hour to have bags appear at LAX. I was even less happy that the route was subsequently cancelled.
I may yet fly Breeze again when I visit family south of Boston, where the nonstop LAX-PVD (TF Green, Providence) would...
I was very happy with my nonstop from Westchester County Airport to LAX a year ago, since a friend lives just a few minutes from HPN. I was less happy that it took well over an hour to have bags appear at LAX. I was even less happy that the route was subsequently cancelled.
I may yet fly Breeze again when I visit family south of Boston, where the nonstop LAX-PVD (TF Green, Providence) would do nicely.
WiFi isn't a deal-breaker for me, since I usually load up the iPad or watch a movie. The outside world can get along without me for a few hours.
I remain shocked that this carrier is even still around, considering that they don't advertise worth a damn, and they drop routes as soon as they add them...
...but would be interesting to see what they can become, if indeed they continue to survive.