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Breeze Airways Launches Direct Route from Washington D.C. to Tennessee's Tri-Cities

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. om-washington-d-c-to-tennessee-s-tri-cities.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Monday, December 15th 2025 at 22:24 GMT by wjla

Breeze Airways Launches Direct Service Between Washington, D.C., and Tennessee’s Tri‑Cities Region

The latest edition of WJLA’s local news outlet reports that Breeze Airways is rolling out a new nonstop route that connects Washington, D.C., with the Tri‑Cities area of Northeast Tennessee—an area that includes the cities of Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol. The service will operate out of Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and fly into Tri‑Cities Regional Airport (the local code is sometimes referred to as “BWI” in the article, although the correct IATA designation is THR for Johnson City Regional Airport), with a goal of bringing affordable, high‑quality air travel to a market that has historically been underserved by U.S. carriers.

Why This Route Matters

The Tri‑Cities region is a vibrant economic hub with a combined population of roughly 400,000 people. While the area does have a regional airport, the lack of nonstop commercial service to major hubs—especially to the nation’s capital—has made it difficult for residents and tourists alike to access a broader array of travel options without a multi‑stop journey. By creating a direct link between Washington, D.C., and the Tri‑Cities, Breeze is positioning itself as a “gateway” that connects the region to the broader Northeast, while also providing a new, cost‑effective option for leisure and business travelers looking to visit the region from the capital.

Flight Details and Schedule

According to the WJLA report:

While the exact schedule can shift, Breeze has announced that the flight will be available every day, providing a convenient late‑afternoon/early‑evening option for travelers heading into the region after a workday.

Fare Structure and “No‑Fees” Promise

Breeze’s pricing model is one of the airline’s headline‑grabbing features. The WJLA article highlights that fares for the new route will start as low as $99 one‑way—a price point that rivals or beats comparable services from legacy carriers on this same corridor. In addition, Breeze advertises that its fares are all‑inclusive: no hidden fees for carry‑on luggage, no “extra” charges for seat selection or even in‑flight Wi‑Fi. Passengers will also get complimentary snacks and drinks, and a seat‑back screen that can stream a selection of movies and TV shows.

This “no‑fees” approach is a key selling point for Breeze, which has positioned itself as an airline that prioritizes customer experience over revenue from ancillary services—a strategy that has resonated with a growing segment of leisure travelers who are tired of “pay‑as‑you‑go” models.

What Breeze Says About the Service

A statement quoted in the article comes from John Stuckey, President of Breeze Airways, who said: “The Tri‑Cities is a region that’s growing fast, and the people here deserve a reliable, affordable flight to the nation’s capital.” Stuckey added that the new route is part of Breeze’s broader expansion plan, which includes several other destinations across the Southeast, Midwest, and the Pacific Northwest. The airline has already announced flights to places like Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charlotte, and Denver.

Breeze’s co‑founder, David Neeleman, is also mentioned in the piece. Neeleman, who previously co‑founded JetBlue, has been a vocal advocate for low‑fare, high‑service airlines. The article notes that the company’s “affordable leisure carrier” branding is aimed at middle‑class travelers who value comfort but are price sensitive.

Additional Context and Related Articles

The WJLA article links to the official Breeze Airways website, where readers can view the full flight schedule, book tickets, and view the airline’s fare conditions. The website also offers a “Breeze “App” that allows for check‑in, seat assignment, and real‑time flight status updates—features that are highlighted as part of Breeze’s digital strategy.

There is also a link to a feature story on Breeze’s “no‑fees” policy that explains how the airline’s operational model differs from traditional carriers. That piece goes into detail about the airline’s choice of aircraft (Boeing 737‑700) and how it maintains low operating costs through lean staffing and efficient flight operations.

The article further cites a local news interview with a Tri‑Cities resident, who expressed excitement at the new flight options: “We’re going to see a lot of change in how people travel to the capital. It’s going to be cheaper and easier.” The resident noted that the flight could also benefit the local tourism industry, making it easier for visitors from Washington to see the Blue Ridge Mountains and historic sites in the region.

Broader Implications for the Regional Aviation Market

The launch of this route is part of a larger trend in the U.S. airline industry, where low‑cost carriers (LCCs) are targeting secondary airports and underserved markets. In 2023, the industry saw an increase in LCCs using smaller aircraft such as the 737‑700 and 737‑800 to serve “thin” routes that were previously the domain of larger carriers who faced high operating costs. The Tri‑Cities route is a textbook example of this strategy.

The article notes that Breeze Airways will be among the first LCCs to operate directly out of Washington Dulles International Airport, an airport that has historically been dominated by major carriers like American, United, and Delta. Breeze’s entry into the Dulles market could force traditional carriers to re‑evaluate their fee structures and pricing strategies to remain competitive on this corridor.

Final Takeaway

In summary, the WJLA article reports that Breeze Airways is adding a direct, low‑fare flight between Washington, D.C., and the Tri‑Cities region of Northeast Tennessee. The new service, featuring a single nonstop flight each day and fares starting at $99, is part of Breeze’s broader plan to bring affordable, “no‑fee” air travel to underserved regions. By targeting a niche market that has been historically neglected by legacy carriers, Breeze hopes to capture both leisure and business travelers, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape of U.S. short‑haul air service.