Breeze Airways Launched Tampa to San Jose Flights
The new nonstop service connects Florida to Costa Rica twice a week using Airbus A220 aircraft.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Central America
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Breeze Airways has initiated the only nonstop flight route between Tampa and San Jose. The service operates every Wednesday and Saturday to connect Florida with Costa Rica.
Why it matters
This route creates a direct link for the 3,000 Costa Rican-born residents living in the Tampa Bay area. It also aims to facilitate easier travel between the two regions following a period of high U.S. tourism to the country.
The flight service uses Airbus A220 aircraft featuring 137 seats, with introductory one-way fares priced at $129. This launch marks the return of direct service on the route after a 25-year gap.
The players
Breeze Airways
This is a low-cost airline that operates regional and transcontinental flights within the United States and to select international destinations.
Costa Rican Tourism Board
This government entity is responsible for promoting and regulating tourism activities within Costa Rica.
The details
The flights exceed three hours in duration and were developed through the Costa Rican Tourism Board’s airline-attraction program. More than 100 passengers were on the inaugural flight, which landed on October 3, 2026.
Timeline
January to August 2026 saw 1.2 million U.S. travelers arrive in Costa Rica by air.
The inaugural nonstop flight landed in San Jose on October 3, 2026.
The second nonstop flight arrived on October 7, 2026.
An advertising campaign is scheduled to begin in Tampa in late October 2026.
Travel Outlook
This route launch aligns with the Costa Rican Tourism Board's airline-attraction program, which aims to boost regional connectivity. Such initiatives typically capitalize on high seasonal tourism volume to ensure the profitability of new flight corridors.
Travelers can now book direct flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays to avoid longer travel times with connections. Residents should note that introductory fares are set at $129 for one-way tickets.
The takeaway
Travelers looking to visit Costa Rica now have a direct pathway from Tampa, cutting down transit time significantly. Those planning a trip should monitor promotional pricing as the new advertising campaign rolls out later this month.
What happens next
The Costa Rican Tourism Board is scheduled to launch an advertising campaign in Tampa in late October 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about travel trends in Central America.
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