Feature Stories
JACKSONVILLE, Fl (Aug. 16, 2023) – Global restaurateur HMSHost, a world leader in creating dining for travel venues, celebrated the opening of its second Southern Grounds caf? at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) today. Located pre-security, the new location of the modern, chef-driven coffee house offers visitors to JAX an expanded menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a full bar featuring craft cocktails, and sweet treats from Jacksonville-based Blueberry Artisan Bakery.
“Airports have an opportunity to highlight the local food and beverage experiences that best represent their communities,” Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) CEO Mark VanLoh said. “As a beloved coffee house with several locations throughout Jacksonville, Southern Grounds is a perfect fit for our terminal.”
Open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, the pre-security Southern Grounds offers the fresh-roasted Intelligentsia coffee and espresso-based beverages fans have come to know and love, along with a new selection of pastries from Blueberry Artisan Bakery, like flourless hazelnut bites and a gluten-free, vegan chocolate cake. The expanded all-day menu boasts everything from benedicts and burgers to salads, sandwiches, pitas, and tacos ? providing guests plenty of options to satisfy whatever they are craving. And true to the mission of Southern Grounds, the menu focuses on sustainable, locally sourced ingredients with delicious dishes to suit multiple dietary preferences, including health-forward, gluten-free, and vegetarian.
Additionally, for the first time, visitors to Southern Grounds can enjoy an expertly crafted cocktail pre-flight or upon their arrival in Jacksonville, like an expresso martini made with Southern Grounds’ espresso, Wheatley vodka, Caff? Borghetti espresso liqueur, Re?l vanilla, and espresso beans, or a Sparkling Guava Marg made with Don Julio Blanco tequila, Re?l guava, Fever-Tree sparkling pink grapefruit soda, and lime juice. HMSHost developed the new bar program to include a selection of spirits, along with beer and wine.
“Traditionally, being in transit has been the least enjoyable part of travel. With our partnership with HMSHost and JAA, we aim to change that with a sense of community, a sense of place, a great cup of coffee, and a relaxing, customer-centric atmosphere. We aim to connect our community and passengers with a unique and memorable experience along their journey and a place to welcome them back,” said Mark Janasik, owner of Southern Grounds and Blueberry Artisan Bakery. “We are a chef-driven coffee house offering an array of products to conscious consumers that reach beyond the cup, now serving in two locations at JAX. We are very grateful to JAA leadership, Lee Wesley Group, and HMSHost for selecting our brand for this exciting opportunity.”
HMSHost operates both Southern Grounds restaurants at JAX with Florida-based Lee Wesley, an Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) joint venture partner. The first Southern Grounds opened at JAX in Concourse A in February 2022 as part of a 10-year contract valued at approximately $60 million that JAA awarded to HMSHost and Lee Wesley.
“Since the first Southern Grounds opened in early 2022, it has proven to be an incredibly popular, sought-after dining destination at Jacksonville International Airport for its great coffee and food,” said HMSHost Vice President of Business Development Stephen Douglas. “We are thrilled to partner with the Jacksonville Aviation Authority and Lee Wesley to open a larger, second restaurant so we can bring the unique Southern Grounds experience to all visitors to JAX.”
JACKSONVILLE, FL (Aug. 1, 2023) – Global restaurateur HMSHost, a world leader in creating dining for travel venues, announced today that travelers at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) will soon have the chance to get a taste of a local institution that’s been serving its famous subs and sweet tea for over 40 years: Angie’s Subs.
HMSHost will operate the outpost of the Jacksonville Beach restaurant in partnership with Florida-based Lee Wesley Group, Inc., an Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE).
“As a traveler’s first and last impression of the region, an airport should showcase the best of the local community,” said Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) CEO Mark VanLoh. “We believe a beloved Jax Beach staple like Angie’s Subs is a perfect addition to our concessions offerings for passengers.”
Angie’s Subs at JAX will feature the most popular subs on the original menu, including fan-favorites like “The Peruvian” (ham, Genoa salami, bacon, Italian sausage, provolone, and Peruvian sauce), “Dr. Bang’s Scrippy” (capicola, pepperoni, provolone, homemade chicken salad, lettuce, tomato, and pickle), and “Jack Del Rio” (turkey, roast beef, bacon, mushrooms, honey BBQ Fritos?, provolone, and Del Rio sauce).
The restaurant will also serve several salads, a variety of sides including potato salad and deviled eggs, desserts like Banana Puddin’, and, of course, the brand's delicious sweet tea. For the youngest travelers, Angie’s Subs at JAX will make any of its famous subs into a kid’s size.
"My team and I are beyond excited and very honored to bring our brand to JAX,” said Ed Malin, owner of Angie’s Subs. “What could be better than sitting in the window seat eating a hot, juicy Angie's Sub and sipping a giant sweet tea while enjoying a 35,000-foot view? What a great start to a vacation! I can’t wait to hear from guests about all the places our subs have traveled to."
Slated to open in early 2024, the 800-square-foot quick-service restaurant will offer the convenience of serving great food fast for travelers on the move, but will also have 10 seats for those opting to dine-in.
“Angie’s Subs has been a Jacksonville Beach staple for over 40 years, making it a popular destination for locals and visitors alike,” said HMSHost Vice President of Business Development Stephen Douglas. “HMSHost strives to bring the best of the local food scene to the airport, so we are excited to partner with Ed Malin, Lee Wesley Group, and the Jacksonville Aviation Authority to introduce Angie’s Subs’ sought-after sandwiches and unique culture and vibe to all who travel to or through Jacksonville International Airport.”
[Jacksonville, FL – June 26, 2023] – American Airlines will offer new, nonstop service from Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) starting on November 5.
“American Airlines is excited to launch new nonstop service between Jacksonville International Airport and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport this November,” said Philippe Puech, American Airlines Director of Short-Haul Network Planning. “With service to eight destinations from JAX, American is delighted to offer customers expanded access to our global network as they begin to plan a winter getaway.”
American Airlines new flight will provide daily service on an Airbus A320. The flight will depart Phoenix at 5:00 PM MST, landing in Jacksonville at 10:01 PM EST. The return flight will depart Jacksonville at 8:00 AM EST, arriving at Phoenix at 9:37 AM MST.
“This nonstop flight will not only link us to our largest unserved market, but it will also offer excellent connecting opportunities for passengers,” Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) CEO Mark VanLoh said. “American Airlines has given Northeast Florida travelers an opportunity to trade in humidity for the desert heat.”
Strong business ties between Jacksonville and Phoenix were one of the contributing factors for adding the new service. Both cities are home to Mayo Clinic campuses.
“We are excited Jacksonville will be conveniently and expeditiously connected with Phoenix through this nonstop service on American Airlines, creating efficient travel between two of Mayo Clinic’s premier destination medical centers,” said Kent Thielen, M.D., CEO, Mayo Clinic in Florida.
According to June flight schedule data provided by Cirium Diio Mi, American Airlines is the largest carrier at JAX. The airline currently offers nonstop service from JAX to Austin, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, Philadelphia and Washington D.C.
For fares, reservations, comprehensive flight schedules and more information, visit www.aa.com.
Jacksonville, FL (February 14, 2023) – Breeze Airways, the newest, nicest low-fare airline, is adding two new destinations from Jacksonville, starting in May, with year-round nonstop flights to Los Angeles, CA and summer season service to Pittsburgh, PA, through September 5. The airline will also offer one-stop/no plane change BreezeThru service to New York-Islip, NY; Cincinnati, OH and Louisville, KY. The new nonstops are now on sale at introductory fares, from just $39* one way to Pittsburgh, or $99* to Los Angeles. Breeze now offers 143 nonstop routes between 35 cities in 21 states nationally.
“Getting nonstop flights to the West Coast is one of our highest priorities, so we are thrilled with today’s announcement,” Jacksonville Aviation Authority CEO Mark VanLoh said. “Breeze arrived at JAX less than a year ago, and in that time has grown their presence here significantly. We couldn’t be happier about it.”
“Here we grow again,” said David Neeleman, Breeze Airways’ Founder and CEO. “We always look for routes that people are traveling today but can’t get there nonstop. Jacksonville residents can now get to Los Angeles and Pittsburgh twice as fast, for about half the price!”
Guests on Breeze may choose from three fare bundles that are offered as ‘Nice’, ‘Nicer’, and ‘Nicest’. Nicest bundles are only available on flights operated with Airbus A220 aircraft.
From Jacksonville, FL (JAX):
•Los Angeles, CA (Tues, Thurs and Sun, starting May 18,?Nice from $99* one way; Nicer from $149*; Nicest from $399*);
•Pittsburgh, PA (Thurs and Sun, starting May 25 through September 5,?Nice from $39* one way; Nicer from $79*);
•Cincinnati, OH (One-stop/no plane change BreezeThru, Mon and Fri, starting May 19);
•New York-Islip, NY (One-stop/no plane change BreezeThru, Thurs and Sun, starting May 18); and
•Louisville, KY (One-stop/no plane change BreezeThru, Mon and Fri, starting May 19).
In addition, Breeze has four existing routes on sale for travel through March, starting at $29* one way from JAX:
•Hartford, CT (from $39** for travel thru 3/7, or from $49*** from 3/22-31);
•Las Vegas, NV (from $99** thru 3/7, or from $109*** from 3/22-31);
•New Orleans, LA (from $29** thru 3/7 and $29*** from 3/22-31);
•Westchester County-New York, NY (from $39** thru 3/7, or from $49*** from 3/22-31).
Seat pitch for a Standard Economy seat is 30 inches on the A220s and 31 inches on the E-195s, while seat pitch for Extra Legroom is 32 inches on the A220s and between 34 and 39 inches on the E-195s, depending on the row selected. First Class seats feature 39 inches of seat pitch, 20.5 inches of seat width, and special features including a footrest for added comfort, and in-seat AC power and USB/C ports.
Guests also have an a la carte option where they can choose a ‘Nice’ or ‘Nicer’ bundle and add a First Class seat as well. Breeze has ordered 80 brand new Airbus A220-300 aircraft, with options for 40 more.
Breeze doesn’t charge change or cancellation fees up to 15 minutes prior to departure and offers other benefits such as free family seating and a la carte pricing. With seamless booking, no change or cancellation fees, up to 24-months of reusable flight credit and customized flight features delivered via a sleek and simple app, Breeze makes it easy to buy and easy to fly. Flights are now on sale at www.flybreeze.com and via the Breeze app.
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BREEZE B-ROLL FOR BROADCAST MEDIA:
*Promotional fare is only available when booking a new reservation. Promotion must be purchased by February 20, 2023 (11:59 pm ET) for travel by September 5, 2023. Price displayed includes taxes and government fees. Fare prices, rules, routes and schedules are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply.
** Get Off The Couch promotion is available only when booking a new reservation for travel.?Promotion excludes travel from MSY, LAS, PBI, and VRB on Sundays or Mondays, and all travel from SRQ on Saturdays. Supply is limited, and one day advance purchase requirement applies. Promotion must be purchased by February 20, 2023 (11:59 pm ET), for travel through March 7, 2023. Price displayed includes taxes and government fees. Fare prices, rules, routes, and schedules are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions and blackout dates may apply.?
*** Get Off The Couch promotion is available only when booking a new reservation for travel.?Promotion excludes travel from CHS, LAS, and MSY on Sundays or Mondays. Supply is limited, and no advance purchase requirement applies. Promotion must be purchased by February 20, 2023 (11:59 pm ET), for travel from March 22, 2023, through March 31, 2023. Price displayed includes taxes and government fees. Fare prices, rules, routes, and schedules are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions and blackout dates may apply.?
About Breeze Airways
Breeze Airways began service in May 2021. One year later, it was ranked as the No. 2 U.S. best domestic airline of 2021 by Travel Leisure World's Best Awards. Breeze now offers 143 nonstop routes between 35 cities in 21 states. Founded by aviation entrepreneur David Neeleman, Breeze operates a fleet of Embraer 190/195 and Airbus A220-300 aircraft, with a focus on providing efficient and affordable flights between secondary airports, bypassing hubs for shorter travel times. With seamless booking, no change or cancellation fees, up to 24-months of reusable flight credit and customized flight features – including complimentary family seating - delivered via a sleek and simple app, Breeze makes it easy to buy and easy to fly. Flights are on sale at flybreeze.com and via the Breeze app.
Press Releases
Breeze Airways is adding a new nonstop route from JAX to New York City’s Westchester Airport (HPN) starting June 30, from just $79 one way. Westchester is located just north of Manhattan.
This marks the eighth nonstop route for Breeze from JAX and the first new route announcement since the airline announced in March they would become the newest carrier at JAX, the single largest air service announcement in the airport’s history.
“We are ecstatic to see Breeze grow in Jacksonville before their first flight has taken off,” Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) CEO Mark VanLoh said. “The airline’s nonstop service to Westchester Airport will provide travelers with low fares and more options when traveling to New York.”
JAX to:
•Westchester, NY (HPN) (Thurs, Sat and Sun, starting June 30, Nice from $79* and Nicer from $129).
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