Breeze Airways — a U.S. start-up carrier specializing in nonstop, point-to-point routes.
Breeze Airways is a U.S. start-up carrier that launched service in 2021, founded by JetBlue founder David Neeleman. Built around the concept of directly connecting cities you previously couldn't fly between, it specializes in nonstop, point-to-point routes with no connections. Operating the Airbus A220 and Embraer E190/E195, it targets small- to mid-sized city pairs. The airline is growing rapidly and continues to hire pilots.
* Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks. Verify actual compensation with each airline's official recruitment information.
| Position | Salary Range | Avg / Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captain International widebody |
¥32M–¥44M |
¥34M | Pre-tax |
| First Officer Seniority-based |
¥16.5M–¥25M |
¥19M | Seniority-based |
Salaries are USD-denominated and quoted pre-tax, converted at USD/JPY = 150. Pay is set on a seniority system. As a start-up carrier, Breeze's pay scales are still being established, and terms may fluctuate during this growth phase.
Modeled from the captain / first-officer ranges above, sliced into standard career stages. Bands marked est. are derived from those ranges (not official); verified bands come from active-pilot data. Management pay is crowd-sourced from verified pilots.
| Career Stage | Years | Annual (pre-tax) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cadet / Trainee | ≤2 yrs | ¥5M–¥8.3M | est. |
| First Officer — Junior | 3–5 yrs | ¥16.5M–¥20.3M | est. |
| First Officer — Mid | 6–10 yrs | ¥18.9M–¥22.6M | est. |
| First Officer — Senior | 11–15 yrs | ¥21.2M–¥25M | est. |
| Captain — New | 15–18 yrs | ¥32M–¥37.4M | est. |
| Captain — Mid | 19–24 yrs | ¥35.4M–¥40.6M | est. |
| Senior Captain | 25+ yrs | ¥38.6M–¥44M | est. |
| Management / Instructor / Examiner | — | Data wanted | crowd-sourced |
Nonstop routes between small- and mid-sized U.S. cities (Charleston, Providence, Tulsa, etc.). Focused on a no-connection, point-to-point model.
Airbus A220-300, Embraer E190/E195. Approximately 70 aircraft.
Type rating training at an FAA-certified ATO (Approved Training Organization). Conducted at Part 142 training centers (CAE, FlightSafety, etc.). Ground school → simulator → LOFT.
After obtaining the type rating, Initial Operating Experience is flown under the supervision of a Check Airman. Typically around 25–50 legs.
Proficiency Checks (PC) or Line Operational Evaluations (LOE) once or twice a year, in accordance with FAA Part 121/135.
Primarily seniority-based. Requires meeting the flight-hour minimum (typically 5,000–8,000+ hours) and passing a check with a Check Airman. An R-ATP (1,500-hour) pathway is available.
Pass travel for the employee and family. Free or heavily discounted travel on Breeze flights and partner airlines.
Comprehensive health insurance for the employee and family. Loss-of-license insurance is also common.
A defined-contribution 401(k) plan with company matching, commonly up to 5–16%.
Roughly 15–30 days per year (increasing with seniority). Flexible time-off options such as flips and skips.
A daily allowance on flying days (roughly $2–4 per hour). Differs between domestic and international flying.
Additional allowances and lodging expenses for crew on international flights.
Hiring status: Actively hiring — open to FAA ATP holders; in a growth phase.
As a start-up carrier, upgrades may come quickly. A220 type rating holders preferred.
| Airline | Captain (range) | First Officer | Income Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breeze Airways 🇺🇸 | ¥32M–¥44M | ¥16.5M–¥25M | Income tax applies |
| ANA 🇯🇵 | ¥22M–¥35M | ¥14M–¥21M | ~33% (Japan) |
| JAL 🇯🇵 | ¥22M–¥35M | ¥14M–¥21M | ~33% (Japan) |
* Salary figures are SSOT reference values (pre-tax unless marked tax-free). ANA / JAL shown as the Japan baseline — ~33% income tax applies in Japan, so after-tax take-home is lower than the headline. Tax-free carriers pay 100% take-home. Verify exact figures with each airline.
Breeze Airways captain pay averages about ¥34M per year (range ¥32M–¥44M), pre-tax. Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks.
Breeze Airways first officer pay averages about ¥19M per year (range ¥16.5M–¥25M), pre-tax, rising with seniority — see the Career Ladder above for the year-by-year breakdown.
Captain & First Officer (Actively Hiring) — Domestic flying. Choice of multiple bases.. Key requirements — License: FAA ATP (1,500 hrs); English: Native or fluent; Min. Flight Hours: To be confirmed (requirements may be relaxed during growth); Work Eligibility: U.S. citizenship / permanent residency / work visa required. As a start-up carrier, upgrades may come quickly. A220 type rating holders preferred.
Breeze Airways captains average ¥34M, versus roughly ¥27M at ANA / JAL. Both figures are pre-tax; Japan applies ~33% income tax.