Clinton Co. celebrates first Breeze flight to Orlando with CEO David Neeleman

PLATTSBURGH | Clinton County lawmakers and Plattsburgh International Airport Director Chris Kreig celebrated the first Breeze Airways flight to Orlando (MCO), Florida. Airline founder and CEO David Neeleman was at the gate to help christen the first Airbus A223 with a champagne spray. "This is a great part of the country," Neeleman said of his venture into the region. He is also founder of JetBlue and WestJet and acknowledged the challenges airlines face in these times. "Our model is different," he said. "We fly to where other people don't fly." He said their airline brands have reached a high Net Promoter Score (NPS), a system that measures customer sentiment, allowing companies to compare scores with competitors. "We've got an NPS score of 70, which is the highest I've ever seen," he said. "It's higher than Apple's NPS. And that's a combination of great crews, a great airplane, but also the ability to provide premium product to our customers. And also, I think probably because we fly in places that other people don't fly." The flight to Orlando from Plattsburgh (PBG) that took its first passengers into the skies on Tuesday, Nov. 28, leaves three times a week. Breeze Airways will launch a second non-stop flight to Tampa, Florida, which will travel twice a week starting on Feb. 2. Prices one-way to Orlando book into December for $45. Booking into March, one-way tickets range from $99 to $79, depending on the day of the week. All trips are non-stop. Neeleman commended Breeze pilots and attendants for their great work with air travelers. Their plane was designed just north of the border, Neeleman said, in Mirabelle, Quebec. It has 137 seats because Breeze Airways removed eight seats from the original design to create larger sections for first class and rows with extra legroom. Neeleman anticipates a welcome market in Plattsburgh, an airport that draws a significant number of Canadian fliers. "We stay where people support us," Neeleman said. "We grow where people support us." Of 2,600 flights Breeze took last month, only three were canceled due to weather, the CEO said. "You can rely on us. We'll take care of you." The inaugural flight was an added surprise to a Quebec mom, Anick, who was traveling to visit friends in Orlando with her two youngest children, Nathan, 11, and Ileana, 10. "We came from Quebec because there was a big deal on the price. We didn't know this was the first flight. It's a surprise," she laughed. Nathan said they were going to skip busy theme parks and spend time exploring beaches. "It will be warm. We'll go to the beach," Anick smiled. Assemblyman Billy Jones was on hand to help celebrate the new sky-blue Airbus parked at the gate. "It's a wonderful event," he said. "Breeze will create more opportunity for travel and it's a good opportunity to have for both the people coming to Plattsburgh and for those traveling from here. I just thank the county legislators for all they have done to bring this new airline here." Airport Director Chris Kreig expressed gratitude for the dedication and hard work county lawmakers did to bring the new airline to PBG. "I also thank the staff at the airport. They are the ones that make this airport run," he said. Town of Plattsburgh Supervisor Michael Cashman said all were delighted to extend a warm welcome to Breeze, "The affordability of their services, coupled with the convenient location at PBA, is truly something our community has much to celebrate." It was a celebration that brought balloons, gifts for the first passengers boarding, blue-iced airplane sugar cookies and a light lunch. There was also a champagne "toast." In the hour before more than 100 passengers boarded the Airbus, a group of some 12 lawmakers, including Sen. Dan Stec and Legislators Mark Henry, David Bezio, Calvin Castine, Wendell Hughes, along with staff and guests from the North Country Chamber of Commerce, took a quick visit to see the new aircraft's interior. They were surprised with the room and comfort. "This is the first time I've ever sat in first class," Jones grinned from the second row. In the first row, three Breeze Airline attendants, Brianaa, Ahmed and Jordan, were also pretty thrilled to be on the inaugural flight. "The flight is about three hours and 20 minutes," Ahmed said. They all enjoy flying on the A223 and the trip provides drinks and snacks. Asked what the favorite Breeze snack items are, they said Zap Chips and peanut M&Ms. Leaving the plane so crew could begin loading passengers, lawmakers took air stairs down to the runway and opened several bottles of champagne. With a spray of fizz and cheers, Clinton County uncorked an official welcome for Breeze Airways to Plattsburgh.

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Clinton Co. celebrates first Breeze flight to Orlando with CEO David Neeleman

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