A New American Town - Bentonville, Arkansas

More flights to Bentonville means more adventure to plan

• Visit Bentonville • Season 9 • Episode 18

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Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) has the most nonstop flights in the region with 26 flights across America. 

Join us as we talk to Breeze Airlines—the fastest-growing airline in the world focused on high-quality travel experiences while remaining cost-effective for anyone's budget. Breeze currently offers 4 nonstop flight options to Bentonville: New Orleans, Pensacola, Tampa, and Orlando.

We'll talk about what you can expect when you fly Breeze, secret tips for Visiting Bentonville, and why you should book your ticket today.

For flight information go to flybreeze.com or visitbentonville.com to plan your trip today! 

A New American Town is here to help you plan your trip to Bentonville, Arkansas. From guides, events, and restaurant highlights. Find all this and more at visitbentonville.com and subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn.

You can listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Casts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Podcast Addict.

Natalie Stika:

Welcome to New American Town. I'm Natalie with Visit Bentonville. Today's guest isn't just helping people get from point A to point B. She's helping them discover places they didn't even know they were missing. They didn't even know they were missing.

Natalie Stika:

Angela Vargo is the Vice President of Marketing Communications and Brand Experience at Breeze Airways, one of the fastest growing airlines in the country and a proud partner in helping travelers reach Northwest Arkansas with ease. In this episode, we talk about Breeze's mission to connect travelers to unique, vibrant destinations and why Bentonville is such a perfect fit for their model. We'll dive into new direct flights from Florida, how Breeze is creating a more joyful flying experience and why travelers should put Bentonville at the top of their must-visit list. Then let's flip the script and talk all about why you would visit Bentonville, what you should plan on your next trip, and there's no shortage of reasons to take this direct flight. Whether you're a Florida sun seeker, looking for new adventure or just curious about how air travel and tourism are coming together in fresh and exciting ways, this conversation is for you, angela. Welcome to the show. Thanks for having me. I'm so excited to talk to you. To kick it off, do you want to just tell us a little bit about yourself and your role at Breeze Airways. Yeah, sure.

Angela Vargo:

So I'm the Vice President of marketing and communications at Breeze. I joined right before we launched, so about three months before we started flying, they got the phone call that they needed marketing in a brand kind of had some starts and stops as far as getting off the ground, literally and figuratively, but when things started to pick up again and all the pieces started to fall into place, I had the opportunity to join and start building this amazing brand, and I just jumped at it. So we launched on May 21st 2021 and started flying six days later and it's been a nonstop freight train ever since Wow.

Natalie Stika:

That's crazy. So, for those who aren't familiar yet, what is Breeze Airways and what sets you apart from other airlines?

Angela Vargo:

Yeah, so Breeze is. Our tagline is seriously nice. Well, our tagline is seriously nice and we are very serious about it because, you know, we try to take all of the best parts of air travel Things like no change in cancellation fees, non-stops between awesome destinations like the one we're talking about today, a great onboard experience and kind of leave out all the things that you don't love about travel and just keep the rest. And so we exist to connect these underserved markets who have been kind of forced to either fly through hubs and pay really high fares or just haven't had enough service. And there's, you know, there's thousands of these markets, but actually Bentonville was one of our very first. It's one of the OGs. We started flying there just a couple of months after we launched and it's just a terrific market for Breeze and a great representation of why we exist.

Natalie Stika:

That's incredible and sign me up. I just only want to fly like that. That sounds so good. We're here at XNA, or Northwest Arkansas National Airport. We actually have 26 direct flights available, but from your perspective, what made Bentonville, you know, one of these first destinations?

Angela Vargo:

I think the great thing about XNA and about Bentonville in general is that it's just.

Angela Vargo:

It's also it's a great place to live and it's also a great place to visit, and I think it's one of those hidden gems that people have yet to discover.

Angela Vargo:

And I think you know Benville is definitely getting put on the map right now in more ways than one. So I like to feel like you know, we knew it was cool before everyone else, and so you know we're kind of. You know we're kind of cool about that kind of stuff finding these great places that people want to visit. And I think that a market like this, where it has such an amazing culture and so many things to offer, and then giving that exposure to people who live in the other destinations that we serve like from, for example, a New Orleans or a Tampa or a Pensacola and saying, hey, have you ever discovered going here? And when it's a nonstop flight and those flights start at $39, one way it inspires people to want to go and try and visit new places that they may not have otherwise even known about, and so I think helping us help people discover places like Bentonville is one of the best parts of this job.

Natalie Stika:

Yeah, amazing, yeah, absolutely I think those. So those three destinations you just mentioned Pensacola, new Orleans and Tampa, those are the flights. Am I missing one?

Angela Vargo:

Yeah, orlando.

Natalie Stika:

Okay, orlando. Yeah, what was the method behind those specific ones? Are you looking to expand those and what is Breeze's reasoning?

Angela Vargo:

Yeah, I mean we're always looking to expand and I think we've really just kind of started and I think it's going to have a lot more growth in and out of Bentonville in the coming years.

Angela Vargo:

But you know, essentially what we're looking for is for those routes that have a lot of potential of demand but have no nonstop. So 86% of our routes have no direct nonstop competition on them. So meaning we're the only nonstop game and so that ease of just being able to get on a plane and, you know, fly nonstop and get somewhere very quickly to spend the weekend is, you know, what we do best and what we really are about. We are primarily a leisure carrier, so you know we fly on those peak days when you know people are wanting to travel for a long weekend or maybe for, you know, a week long vacation. But you know, being able to connect the dots between markets like this where there has not really ever been that option, either it would be to drive or it would be to connect through a hub, which you know is ultimately not what people you know love to do and how they want to spend their time.

Natalie Stika:

Yeah. Yeah, you were talking about Breeze's mission and just the overall experience of positive flying, and I think that's what everyone is looking for. What can you describe what someone? If they've never flown with you before, what would be their experience and maybe how would it separate you?

Angela Vargo:

Okay, yeah, sure, totally so. First of all, we have an amazing app, but you don't have to, obviously, go through the app. But we also have a website. But you know people who go on an ebook for the first time, the first thing you're going to notice besides that it's just a very simple, sleek, easy process. We believe in transparency, so not a lot of nickel and diming or you know kind of what am I getting here.

Angela Vargo:

But our fairs are well, the first fair, the base fair, is called NoFlex because it's not flexible transparency. But then the bundles are nice, nicer and nicest and with each of those you get, you know, added benefits associated with it. So you know, if you want a checked bag or you want extra legroom seat or you want a first class seat, you can buy one of the bundles. But I think one of the best things about Breeze is that we have this kind of like create your own adventure style Meaning if you want to buy a $39 no flex fare because you know when you're going to go, you don't really need to take, you know, a checked bag with you. But you want to tack on a first class seat for a hundred dollars, you know, be our guest. Right, it's your decision, it's your travel and you get to decide how you want to kind of craft that experience. So there's kind of that a la carte option. There's the bundled option there's no change or cancellation fees, which I think is awesome. It takes kind of that scary factor away if something were to happen with a kid or whatever.

Angela Vargo:

And then you know, I just have these beautiful planes. So we have a brand new fleet of A220s that we're taking, you know, with delivery of one every month from Mobile. So they're made right here, close to where you guys are even, and they're these gorgeous planes. They have huge windows and mood lighting, they're very comfortable. We have above average, you know, leg room, for example, and then we just have really awesome flight attendants. You know, everybody really enjoys working at this company. I think we've built a really cool culture and I think one of the things I love best is when I'm flying on us and you see some experience for the first time and they get off and they're like, wow, that was, that was really nice, you're right, and that's like the whole point.

Natalie Stika:

So that's incredible. What has the reaction overall been like?

Angela Vargo:

maybe Amazing, yeah, yeah, I mean the. I was mentioning the growth um, which has just been phenomenal. So we started, like I said, four years ago. Actually, this month, um, may 21st, um is our, our birthday. So, coming up four years, which is hard to believe um, and now we're in 72 cities and 32 states. So we are, um, probably, if not one or maybe, the world's fastest growing airline.

Angela Vargo:

Wow, last year alone, we flew 6 million guests. We call them guests, not customers, and it's just. It blows my mind to think about. You know how fast this journey has been. But a lot of that has been fueled by just people's desire for this type of travel. And you know, I think, especially after pandemic, people are just like, they want experiences, right, they want adventure, and that's you know why I love highlighting things like what goes on in Bentonville, which gives you so many options for so much adventure and discovery, and you know, getting that in front of people, and people are just soaking it up. They really want to go and see and do more than they ever have before.

Natalie Stika:

Yeah, absolutely here at Visit Bentonville, we are so passionate about hospitality and Breeze is the same way. So partnering with airlines that care about that, and so people are delivered here happy and they're excited about their journey and they're excited to explore someplace that they've maybe never heard about. It's so cool that we can be a part of people's journeys. I would love to talk a little bit more about Bentonville specifically, and you were saying how you guys like to partner with unique destinations and ones that typically don't have direct flights. Is there anything specific that you remember hearing about Bentonville that made you be like, oh yeah, that city's the city that is going to, you know, be on the map. You feel like you heard about it before. It was big. Tell me more.

Angela Vargo:

Yeah, I mean, I think people have always kind of acclimated, you know, with some of the big corporations right that are out there, but there's so much more to it that we learned.

Angela Vargo:

So one thing that my team does is we really spend a lot of time tapping into kind of the spirit of the communities that we serve and getting to know them and kind of tap into the heartbeat of those so that we can market them and promote them Right and and get to know them.

Angela Vargo:

And you know, the thing that really impressed me the most about this region is number one the massive like bike community slash, outdoor culture, um, and how insane that is, um, and I'm learning more about it all the time, which I think is really cool, um, but also just like the museums or the outdoor concerts and just the whole vibe of the city just seems to be, um, something that is, I think, one of the best kept secrets right now in America, and I'm not joking. That's why I feel like we're kind of like the cool kids who found out early that this was cool, because we're going to say that we were there and that we're going to grow with it. But it's just pretty, it's pretty awesome to watch. And then the airport's been really, you know, cool to work with and they're making all these improvements and it just feels like everybody is just, you know, really kind of like gelling and we're just there to help tell the story and get people there quickly and, you know, affordably.

Natalie Stika:

Yeah, and it's so imperative in us telling our story that we can have visitors come here and actually experience it. I love picking people up from the airport and then bringing them into Bentonville and them not realizing how close Bentonville actually is to XNA, because it honestly looks like you're in the country right now and so you're just driving through this beautiful scenery and then you get to Bentonville and it's just this amazing gem with, you know, crystal Bridges Museum, this world-renowned art museum and mountain biking capital of the world, this amazing gem with, you know, crystal Bridges Museum, this world-renowned art museum and mountain biking capital of the world, and local incredible culinary taste. That could only happen by the support of our community that we have and it's amazing that we have, you know, locals and visitors that support that effort.

Angela Vargo:

Yeah, yeah, it's um, it's pretty cool and I, I think, um number one. I'm I'm looking forward to spending a lot more time there, um, starting this summer and getting to know it a lot better. Um, and, you know, hoping to find a lot more partnerships and ways to even support some of the local arts in the community out there as we grow and as we, you know, we get bigger and have the resources to do that. Um, that's really important for us, um, and then to be able to promote those, like I said, to audiences that you know haven't learned about this yet, right, and doing what you're doing, which is calling attention to it, um, and you know, showing them, just like, how amazing it is, and you know how, I think, how the role we get to play in all of that is, um pretty important, right. I mean to to be able to expose audiences to something like this and then to be able to say, hey, it's it's, it's affordable and it's easy to get there and um be life-changing and it is life-changing.

Natalie Stika:

Yes, it's huge. Yeah, um, so you're coming here in June, right? Yep? How are you planning your trip here? Do you have any plans yet, or are you still trying to decide?

Angela Vargo:

No, I'm starting to get them together. So luckily I know a few people, so I'm getting insider information for sure. But I've already been poking around quite a bit and I have a lot of people who are even inside my inner circle, who know the area really well and really just want to learn about a lot of the events and stuff that are happening too. I know there's like a big mountain biking event that happens every year and there's a lot of outdoor concerts that are happening with what is the Crystal Bridges, but it's also the Momentary.

Natalie Stika:

Yeah, they have a the momentary green, which is an outdoor concert venue space, and they also have an indoor smaller venue called the roadhouse um, and they are doing, you know, festivals and shows all year long, no matter the weather. It's really fabulous how much our music scene has grown here yeah, yeah.

Angela Vargo:

So yeah, I'm my. My plans are not solidified yet, but I am going to align it, hopefully to hit up some of those types of things, especially like a concert. Um, obviously go to the museum, um, and I'm sure I'll have a pretty packed itinerary by. Oh yeah the food, oh my gosh yeah, the restaurants, that restaurants that are highlighted on your website.

Natalie Stika:

One of my favorite things about Bentonville is just the walkability that people are always shocked by, and a lot of people don't know this and I feel like I have to tell you. You can walk from the square to Crystal Bridges Museum via the Greenway. So you go through the Compton Garden trails and then you go through the art trails, because Crystal Bridges has this huge urban forest with public art mixed throughout. It's all paved trails and yeah, so you can literally pretty much walk the whole entire downtown if you're comfortable with walking. It's a one of a kind experience, and we always encourage people to rent a bike or have a bike at least one day, because you see a whole nother side of our city that you never would have seen before had you not been on a bike, even an e-bike. It's really fun, so I hope you get to experience it that way.

Angela Vargo:

Yeah, yeah, definitely Me too. I would be happy to jump on a bike and just make my way around and get to see all of it.

Natalie Stika:

Yeah Well, speaking of events, last thing I'll say one of our most popular parts of our website, visitbentonvillecom has an events calendar tab. It's one of our most popular parts of our website. Visit Bentonvillecom has an events calendar tab. It's one of our most visited pages and we also have a whole blog that talks about this weekend in Bentonville, what's going on, what you need to know about, and that event calendar will be your one-stop shop to see all of the big events coming, small events coming and you can plan your trip around it perfectly Love it.

Angela Vargo:

That's awesome. I love that. I love that we can help promote those types of resources as well, and that's where I think the magic happens right. It's when you have great air service and you have a great destination, and the two of those kind of linked together can be pretty powerful. So it's exciting times for you guys. I know there's been a lot of really awesome coverage and a lot of features that are happening, and definitely getting you guys on the map is part of our job too.

Natalie Stika:

Yeah, you too, exciting for you. Oh, my goodness, this is so cool. I've loved sharing time together. Is there anything you want to tell our audience about how they can get connected with you? Your website, maybe social media?

Angela Vargo:

Yeah, I mean you can find us. Our website is flybreezecom and we're also on, you know, instagram and LinkedIn and Facebook and TikTok and all the things, so you can connect with us on social media as well and get to know us a little bit. And yeah, I think the best thing is just to encourage people to just book that trip and, you know, just get on Breeze and get out there and you know, just let you know, let the weekend take you where it will. I think it's so much to discover and do and I'm just excited to continue doing what we do to make that happen.

Natalie Stika:

Yeah, you've really broken the cost barrier down, down, and it's amazing how many more people we're seeing come just because a flight is not making them or a drive is not making them unable to visit our destination. So, yeah, amazing. For anyone else listening that wants to learn more about Visit Bentonville, you can go to visitbentonvillecom and find everything you need to know about visiting our destination and having a wonderful time. Follow us on social media at Visit Bentonville and we will see you in the next episode. Thanks,