Breeze Airways Arrives in Costa Rica for the First Time

American airline Breeze Airways has announced that it will launch nonstop flights between Tampa International Airport (TPA) and Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José starting October 3, 2026.

This marks Breeze’s first operation in Costa Rica and an entirely new Tampa–San José connection, expanding the company’s presence in Central America and the Caribbean. With this route, Costa Rica becomes the airline’s fifth international destination since its founding in 2021.

Frequencies, Schedules, and Type of Service

According to official information from the airline and Tampa Airport, the Tampa–San José flight will operate with two weekly frequencies, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, from the launch date.

Breeze Airways offers a leisure airline model with competitive fares and different levels of onboard service, combining more basic options with higher-comfort products, as outlined in its corporate announcement. The operation is part of Breeze’s international expansion strategy, which has been adding routes to sun-and-beach destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean, and now Central America.

Significance of the Tampa–San José Route

For Tampa International Airport, this connection with San José is a long-term objective, as it represents the return of a direct flight to the Costa Rican capital after more than 25 years without nonstop service. The Florida terminal highlights that Costa Rica is Florida’s ninth-largest trading partner and that approximately 3,000 Costa Rica-born residents live in the Tampa Bay area, reinforcing the family travel and business travel components of the route.

From Costa Rica’s perspective, this new route strengthens ties with one of its primary tourist source markets: the United States, which leads all countries in air visitor arrivals according to the most recent data from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT).

Impact on Tourism and Connectivity

The direct connection between Tampa and San José opens new possibilities for American travelers interested in Costa Rica’s offering of nature, adventure, and sustainable tourism, reducing travel times and connection difficulties. Tourism authorities have noted that this route adds to the growing network of direct flights from US cities to Costa Rica, consolidating the country as a competitive destination in the region.

For Breeze, the addition of San José and Punta Cana from Tampa doubles the number of international destinations the airline serves from that airport, reinforcing TPA’s role as a regional hub for the Caribbean and Central America.

Official Statements and Vision for the Future

Breeze Airways founder and CEO David Neeleman has explained that the expansion of international routes from Tampa responds to a combination of tourism demand, accessible fares, and a differentiated travel experience that the company aims to offer.

For his part, Michael Stephens, CEO of Tampa International Airport, highlighted that the new route to San José “marks the return of this destination to TPA for the first time in more than 25 years” and emphasized that it will broaden travel options for tourism, business, and families with ties to Costa Rica.

All parties involved agree that this operation can serve as a platform for future capacity expansions or new US departure points to Costa Rica, depending on the route’s performance.

Official Sources

Official press release from Breeze Airways regarding the launch of international service to San José, Costa Rica, published via GlobeNewswire and on the airline’s website.
Announcement from Tampa International Airport (TPA) regarding new nonstop routes to San José, Costa Rica, and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Coverage by media outlets such as La Nación and Periódico Mensaje, incorporating ICT data and official statements on Breeze’s launch of operations in Costa Rica.
Specialized aviation and travel articles, such as The Points Guy and Aviation Week, contextualizing Breeze’s international expansion to Costa Rica.