David Neeleman
David Neeleman is the founder and CEO of Breeze Airways, the U.S. airline he launched in 2021. A Brazilian-American entrepreneur, he previously founded JetBlue, Azul Brazilian Airlines, WestJet, and Morris Air, building a legacy of innovation across the aviation industry.
David Neeleman's Bio
David Gary Neeleman was born in 1959 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and raised in a Mormon household. He moved to the United States as a child and developed an early interest in aviation and entrepreneurship.
Before founding his own airlines, Neeleman worked at Southwest Airlines and created a software company that developed the first electronic ticket system, revolutionizing airline reservations. His first airline venture was Morris Air, a Utah-based regional carrier he co-created in the 1980s and later sold to Southwest Airlines. In 1996, he founded WestJet in Canada, pioneering the low-cost carrier model in that market.
Neeleman launched JetBlue Airways in New York in 1998, serving as CEO until 2007 and Chairman until 2008, introducing in-flight entertainment and exceptional customer service. After leaving JetBlue following operational challenges during an ice storm in 2007, he returned to Brazil and founded Azul Brazilian Airlines in 2008, which grew to become Brazil's largest carrier by destinations and passengers.
In 2021, Neeleman launched Breeze Airways, focusing on underserved domestic routes with an ultra-efficient business model and a fleet of modern aircraft. Throughout his career, he has also owned a stake in TAP Air Portugal and co-founded Postiva Health.
Known for repeatedly disrupting the airline industry with customer-centric approaches, Neeleman currently serves as Breeze Airways CEO, continuing his mission to make air travel more accessible and customer-friendly.
Career Timeline
1959 — Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil and raised in a Mormon household in Sandy, Utah.
1984 — Co-founded Morris Air
Co-founded the regional carrier with June Morris; sold to Southwest Airlines in 1993.
1993 — Morris Air acquired by Southwest Airlines
Morris Air was acquired by Southwest Airlines.
1996 — Founded WestJet
Launched Canada's low-cost carrier, pioneering affordable air travel in the Canadian market.
1998 — Founded JetBlue Airways
Established JetBlue, serving as CEO until 2007 and introducing in-flight entertainment and exceptional customer service.
2007 — Departed JetBlue at JetBlue Airways
Stepped down as JetBlue CEO following operational challenges during an ice storm.
2008 — Founded Azul Brazilian Airlines
Launched Azul Brazilian Airlines, which grew to become Brazil's largest carrier by destinations and passengers.
2021 — Founded Breeze Airways
Launched U.S. airline focusing on underserved domestic routes with an ultra-efficient business model.
Episodes
Advice Line: New Offerings, Bigger Markets
Boxed founder Chieh Huang joins Guy Raz to coach three founders navigating product expansion. Christina Latraverse of Seagrass Pottery debates scaling physical studios versus wholesale. Hernan Lopez of Wondery guides Jim Kersley through the retail versus direct-to-consumer tradeoff for Lemur Strap. David Neilman helps William Carroll of Tool Club think through shifting consumer behavior around tool rentals. Every call explores the same question: how to grow without losing what makes the business work.
Advice Line with David Neeleman of JetBlue
David Neeleman, the aviation entrepreneur behind JetBlue, Azul, and Breeze, shares hard-won lessons on scaling airlines without losing soul. He argues that true leadership means hiring people who care more than you do, and that cutting costs at the expense of culture is the fastest way to destroy a brand. From choosing the right airplanes to building teams that treat customers like family, Neeleman's advice cuts through the noise of typical business platitudes.
