College students hope a new airline coming to Tallahassee can help relieve their current travel woes. 

Limited airline options and high-ticket prices have forced some travelers to drive hours to larger airports in Jacksonville or Orlando just to find affordable flights. Now the arrival of Breeze Airways at Tallahassee International Airport could offer new options for students and residents who have long struggled with limited air service. 

With introductory fares starting around $39 one way, Breeze Airways will offer nonstop flights from Tallahassee to Fort Lauderdale and Raleigh Durham three times per week beginning on July 2. 

The airline focuses on connecting smaller cities that often lack affordable nonstop flights. 

“For nearly five years, Breeze has been filling a long-overlooked gap in the industry by connecting underserved markets with affordable nonstop service,” Breeze Airways founder David Neeleman said in a company statement. 

For out of state students attending Florida State University and Florida A&M University, the new flights could make traveling home significantly easier. 

Jordan Matthews, a junior political science major at Florida State University from North Carolina, said he often must leave the city just to find a reasonable flight. 

“Sometimes it’s cheaper for me to drive to Jacksonville and fly from there,” Matthews said. “That drive adds hours to my trip, so having more flights in Tallahassee would help a lot.” 

Students say the challenge becomes even greater during major travel periods such as holidays or semester breaks, when ticket prices increase, and flights fill quickly. 

Kayla Hernandez, a sophomore biology major at Florida A&M University from New Jersey, said she once had to travel to Orlando just to get home for Thanksgiving. 

“Flights from Tallahassee were too expensive, so my friends and I drove to Orlando to catch a plane,” Hernandez said. “It added a lot of extra time and planning.” 

Breeze Airways launched in 2021 with a goal of expanding affordable service in smaller markets that larger airlines often overlook. The company has grown quickly by offering nonstop routes between mid-size cities across the United States. 

For many students, the addition of even a few new routes could make a difference in how connected the capital city feels. 

Jason Kellis, a senior from Maryland studying public administration at Florida State University, said better air service could make traveling less stressful. 

“Tallahassee sometimes feels hard to get in and out of,” Thompson said. “If more airlines start coming here, it could make a big difference for students who live far away.”