MacArthur Airport and Breeze Airways names Sarasota, Fla., newest nonstop destination

On Wednesday, Aug. 7, Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) welcomed the announcement of new nonstop flights between ISP and Sarasota, Fla., on Breeze Airways. Breeze will fly nonstop between Long Island and Sarasota two times weekly—on Thursdays and Sundays—beginning Nov. 21.

“Long Island MacArthur Airport customers have long been communicating their desire for Sarasota service to the town and airport, and—in turn—we’ve been reaching out to airlines to evaluate the market’s potential at ISP,” said Town of Islip supervisor Angie Carpenter. “Breeze has been listening and their ‘Seriously Nice’ response will benefit Nassau and Suffolk counties in so many ways.”

The nonstop service to Sarasota follows the announcement of multiple Florida destinations beginning service to MacArthur Airport this fall.

“Sarasota-Bradenton marks our seventh nonstop destination from Islip since we launched in February 2022, and it’s our third Florida destination for this winter with the returning Vero Beach service and new Fort Myers service starting in October,” said David Neeleman, Breeze Airways’ founder and CEO. “We’re excited to continue our expansion from Long Island with our affordable, yet elevated product.”

Breeze received its air carrier certification from the U.S. Department of Transportation on May 14, 2021, having conducted proving runs and other certification requirements from an operational base at Long Island MacArthur Airport. In December of that year in an event at ISP, Neeleman announced that the new carrier would serve Charleston, S.C., and Norfolk, Va., nonstop from MacArthur Airport.

“Ever since those initial two markets were announced and welcomed at ISP, Breeze has been on an upward trajectory at MacArthur Airport, much to the delight of Long Island businesses and travelers,” said deputy airport commissioner Rob Schneider. “Breeze Airways is building towards an all Airbus A220 fleet and is now one of the world’s top three Airbus A220 customers. This aircraft is quiet, comfortable, and provides good economic and performance capabilities. We look forward to welcoming the A220s on Breeze routes, along with the carrier’s Embraer E190 and E195 aircraft,” he added.

With the Sarasota, Fla., addition, Breeze Airways now serves 10 destinations out of ISP: Fort Myers, Fla.; Charleston, S.C.; Norfolk, Va.; Richmond, Va. (seasonal); Portland, Me. (seasonal); Raleigh-Durham, N.C.; Vero Beach, Fla.; and BreezeThru flights (one stop / no plane change) to New Orleans, La.; and Jacksonville, Fla. (seasonal).

“In addition to providing convenient, comfortable, and affordable flights from ISP for Long Islanders, the new Sarasota service will bring visitors from Florida to our airport and region. The result will be more jobs, opportunities and economic prosperity benefiting all of Long Island,” Carpenter said. “Additionally, these new flights between Islip and Sarasota will help us build broader momentum for enhancing the customer experience at ISP, and highlighting the airport’s strategic role in regional transportation,” she added.

Breeze’s commitment to Long Island MacArthur Airport is also evident in the carrier’s doubling of service to Vero Beach, the addition of year-round flights to Fort Myers, and the increase in schedule to Raleigh-Durham, all revealed in recent weeks. With the announcement of Sarasota service, Breeze Airways’ new destinations and enhancements to existing cities add up to a more than 200 percent year-over-year increase in seats for the fourth quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025.

“This airport is run like a business and airlines are taking notice,” said Long Island Contractors Association executive director Marc Herbst. “Airports across the country are competing for new air service. On Long Island, we’re so grateful to have elected officials, business leaders, and a community that is supportive of efforts to build a future with prosperity and jobs in this region,” he said.