Drew Brees named Brand Ambassador for Breeze Airways. August 4, 2026 Deal Type: Brand Ambassador Announced: August 3, 2026 * Breeze Airways has named NFL Hall of Famer Drew Brees as its first-ever brand ambassador, announced August 3, 2026. * The deal lands five days before Brees is enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on August 8. * Brees will star in Breeze's "Brees Certified" ad and social campaign and join the airline's annual Breeze Kindness Week each November. * Paid ads will spotlight Breeze cities tied to Brees, done in partnership with Visit Rhode Island, Akron-Canton Airport, and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Breeze Airways has named Drew Brees as its first-ever brand ambassador, the airline announced on August 3, 2026. The move lands five days before Brees is enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on August 8, one of Breeze's operating base cities. Breeze Airways founder and CEO David Neeleman said Brees' reputation for kindness, on and off the field, made him an easy choice for an airline built around a "Seriously Nice" identity. Brees, who spent nearly his entire 20-year NFL career with the New Orleans Saints, pointed to Breeze's service to New Orleans as one reason he signed on. As ambassador, Brees will appear in Breeze's ads and short social clips on Instagram and TikTok, tagged "Brees Certified," and will join the airline's annual Breeze Kindness Week each November. The campaign spotlights cities tied to Brees' career and Hall of Fame moment, done in partnership with Visit Rhode Island, Akron-Canton Airport, and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. The deal lands during a busy stretch for Brees off the field. The same day it was announced, Smalls Sliders, the burger chain Brees invested in early on, launched a limited-edition cup benefiting the Brees Dream Foundation. That follows an August 2025 partnership with Jimmy John's, another brand he owns as a franchisee alongside Walk-On's Bistreaux & Bar and Dunkin'. Brees isn't the only NFL name making brand headlines this year. Taylor Rooks and Jared McCain partnered with Starbucks for Fanatics Fest in July. Tight end Travis Kelce became Six Flags' brand ambassador back in March, part of a wider 2026 trend of athletes anchoring travel and experience-brand deals. Breeze, which now flies more than 300 routes to 91 cities, was named to TIME's 100 Most Influential Companies list for 2026. Five years without a single ambassador, and Breeze goes and signs a guy whose last name is basically a marketing gift. That's not an accident; it's a budget airline betting that a recognizable, well-liked name can do more for brand trust than another round of fare-sale ads. The timing is the real story here. Announcing this days before Brees walks into Canton guarantees Breeze rides a wave of earned media it couldn't buy at any price. Pair that with his deep ties to New Orleans, one of the airline's key markets, and this looks less like a celebrity stunt and more like a calculated regional play. For Brees, this adds a travel and lifestyle line to a portfolio that's leaned heavily food-and-franchise (Walk-On's, Jimmy John's, Dunkin', Smalls Sliders) in recent years. Does a recognizable name like Drew Brees actually move ticket sales for a budget carrier, or is this mostly a brand-awareness play? Could this be the start of Breeze signing more athlete ambassadors as it grows past 300 routes?

Latest (worldwide) travel news. Read the latest worldwide travel news, right here, in peace. (If you can't see the travel news below, try turning off ad blockers). refresh. Plusgrade and Breeze airways(r) launch 'Buy BreezePoints', expanding multi-product partnership. * More Ways to Reach Rewards: Breezy Rewards(R) members can now purchase BreezePoints directly, giving them the flexibility to top up their balance and book reward flights on their own timeline. * New Revenue for Breeze: Buy BreezePoints adds a high-margin ancillary revenue channel for Breeze Airways, driving deeper member engagement as the airline scales its revamped Breezy Rewards loyalty program. * Loyalty Expansion for Plusgrade: Breeze Airways continues to expand its portfolio of Plusgrade ancillary revenue solutions-adding Buy BreezePoints alongside Preferred Seating, Extra Legroom, and Seat Blocker. MONTREAL, July 7, 2026 /CNW/ - Plusgrade, a global leader in ancillary revenue solutions for the travel industry, and Breeze Airways, the high-value, low-cost airline combining affordable fares and modern amenities for a Seriously Nice(TM) travel experience, today announced the expansion of their partnership with the launch of Buy BreezePoints. Available now through Plusgrade's Loyalty Currency Retailing platform, the feature allows Breezy Rewards members to purchase BreezePoints directly - giving them more control over their rewards and a faster path to the flights they want. The launch builds on an existing relationship in which Breeze uses Plusgrade's ancillary revenue solutions, including Preferred Seating, Extra Legroom, and Seat Blocker. Adding Buy BreezePoints extends that relationship into loyalty currency, giving members more ways to engage with the Breezy Rewards program and their BreezePoints balance. Buy BreezePoints gives members a direct way to close the gap when they're short of a reward flight. Rather than waiting to earn through flights alone, members can purchase points at any time, converting a near-miss into a booking. For Breeze, it opens an immediate, high-margin revenue channel that reinforces the value of the Breezy Rewards currency. "Breeze has built something genuinely different in North American aviation-a carrier that competes on experience, not just price, and backs that promise with real product investment," said Ken Harris, Founder and CEO of Plusgrade. "We've been working with them on Preferred Seating, Extra Legroom, and Seat Blocker, and expanding into loyalty was the natural next move for both of us. Buy BreezePoints gives members a direct path to the rewards they're building toward, without the friction of being just short of a flight. That's exactly what a loyalty program should deliver." "We're always looking for ways to give our Guests more control over their travel experience, and Buy BreezePoints does exactly that," said David Neeleman, CEO at Breeze Airways. "Our Breezy Rewards Members are enthusiastically engaging with the new program and earning BreezePoints on every flight they buy. Now they have the flexibility to top up their points balance and book a rewards trip without waiting. Plusgrade has been a strong partner in helping us deliver on that." About Plusgrade Plusgrade powers the global travel industry with its portfolio of leading ancillary revenue solutions. Over 575 of the world's premier travel brands-spanning airline, hospitality, cruise, passenger rail and financial services-and more than 3,000 hotel and resort properties trust Plusgrade to create new, meaningful revenue streams through incredible customer experiences. As the ancillary revenue powerhouse, Plusgrade has generated billions of dollars in new revenue opportunities across its platform for its partners, while creating enhanced travel experiences for millions of their passengers and guests. Plusgrade was founded in 2009 with headquarters in Montreal and has offices around the world. For more information, visit plusgrade.com. About Breeze Airways Breeze Airways operates more than 300 year-round and seasonal routes to 91 cities in the United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Founded by aviation entrepreneur David Neeleman, Breeze took flight in May 2021 bringing premium, affordable, and nonstop air service to secondary markets on its flagship fleet of Airbus A220-300 aircraft. Breeze has been named a top 4 "Best Domestic Airline" by Travel + Leisure for four consecutive years, the "Best Major Airline in North America" by the Airline Passenger Experience Association, and one of Fast Company's "World's Most Innovative Companies" for 2025. Breeze was the first U.S. domestic airline to be certified by Autism Double Checked and is the official airline of local Make-a-Wish chapters in Connecticut, South Carolina, and Utah. With seamless booking, friendly policies, and customized booking options, Breeze makes it easy to buy and Seriously Nice(TM) to fly. SOURCE Plusgrade Inc.

Breeze Airways begins nonstop service from Birmingham with two new routes. by ABC 33/40 Fri, July 3, 2026 at 5:55 AM Updated Fri, July 3, 2026 at 8:33 AM (abc3340.com) BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBMA) - Breeze Airways has officially launched service from Birmingham, introducing the airline's first nonstop flights from Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. The new routes connect Birmingham with Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. The airline says both flights operate twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays, with service beginning July 3. Introductory one-way fares start at $59, according to the airline. The addition marks Breeze Airways' first service to the Birmingham market and expands the airport's nonstop flight options for travelers. "We are thrilled to welcome Breeze Airways to Birmingham," said Ashby Pate, board chair of the Birmingham Airport Authority. "The addition of Breeze with its low fares to new markets is a welcome choice for travelers who appreciate nonstop flights and the opportunity to save some money when booking their trips." Pate said the airport is optimistic about the airline's future in Birmingham. "We are thankful that Breeze has so much confidence in this market," he said. "If travelers respond well to the new service, there's a good chance we'll see additional Breeze flights in the future." Breeze Airways Founder and CEO David Neeleman said the airline selected Fort Lauderdale and Raleigh-Durham as its initial destinations from Birmingham based on anticipated demand. "We are launching in Birmingham with two destinations that we know the community will love," Neeleman said. "With our high-value, low-cost model, these two destinations will allow travelers in Birmingham to more easily and affordably travel to Raleigh and Fort Lauderdale." SPONSORED CONTENT MORE TO EXPLORE