Breeze Targets Mid-2026 For Embraer Phase-Out

Credit: Breeze Airways

The shift from Embraers to Airbuses at U.S. carrier Breeze Airways continues, with the Brazilian aircraft now scheduled to continue to operate flights until mid-2026.

As of January, the fleet consisted of 33 A220-300s, 10 E190s and three E195s, with the Salt Lake City, Utah-based carrier planning to retain the outgoing fleet of Embraers largely for its charter operations until their eventual phase-out.

However, the 190/195s’ duties will continue to include “some scheduled services as needed” and the new European aircraft are also being dual-roled in both scheduled and charter services.

The new date for final retirement of the Embraers, which are currently all based at New Orleans (MSY), adds a little more detail to the airline’s plans; in spring 2024 it said that the Brazilian small narrowbody would remain in the carrier’s blue colors “through at least the end of the year.”

Most of the company’s charter services involve corporate travel and sports teams.

The fate of the retiring Embraers remains unknown; Breeze declined to comment on their futures as the leased aircraft leave the fleet.

Meanwhile, the carrier continues to progress its plans to obtain ETOPS status for the A220s, whose greater range brings a new range of potential overwater destinations within the company’s range – into the Caribbean, for example.

The carrier is also applying for flag-carrier status: “We hope to have an update on flag status in the first half of 2025 and ETOPS sometime thereafter,” a spokesman said.

Alan Dron

Based in London, Alan is Europe & Middle East correspondent at Air Transport World.