Low-cost airline Breeze adds third Florida destination from Portland

File photo Breeze Airways will offer seasonal service to Fort Myers, Fla., from the Portland International Jetport, starting Nov. 14.

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By Renee Cordes

Breeze Airways, a low-fare carrier that began flying out of Portland International Jetport in May, is adding to its destinations in the Sunshine State.

Starting Nov. 14, the carrier will launch a winter-spring seasonal route to Fort Myers, Fla., with an introductory one-way fare starting at $89 available for purchase through Sept. 18.

The new service is the third Maine-Florida route for the Utah-based airline, along with existing year-round flights from Portland to Tampa and to Orlando.

Breeze also offers seasonal service to Charleston, S.C.; Islip, N.Y.; Norfolk, Va.; and Pittsburgh.

“We are pleased to see Breeze continue to invest in the Portland community,” Paul Bradbury, the Jetport’s airport director, said Tuesday. “Today’s announcement means Mainers have nonstop access to our top three Florida destinations.”

Fort Myers, in southwestern Florida, is a major tourist destination with sandy beaches and attractions including the winter estates of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford.

The route will be flown on new Airbus A220-300 aircraft.

“Now with Fort Myers, Breeze offers Portland residents more Florida destinations than any other airline,” said Breeze Airways President Tom Doxey. “Whether it’s Fort Myers, Tampa or Orlando, travelers from Maine now have a great choice of affordable and convenient flights for a warm, family-friendly winter vacation destination.”

In terms of price, Breeze offers bundled and a la carte options known as Nice, Nicer and Nicest. Breeze Ascent is included in the Nicest bundle, or sold a la carte with Nice or Nicer. The carrier doesn’t charge change or cancellation fees up to 15 minutes prior to departure and offers other benefits such as free family seating and a la carte pricing.

'Snowbird' route combos

The announcement of the new route comes on the heels of a poll listing two Maine destinations among the country’s top 10 favorites for "snowbird" retirees living in two cities.

Based on a survey of 3,000 retirees nationwide by IRAInvesting.com, the combination of Portland in the summer and Orlando in the winter is ranked No. 2 for those who adopt the migratory lifestyle. The pairing of Bar Harbor and Atlanta was ranked No. 8.

Find the full list of 120 top snowbird migration routes here.