Key West's Airport: An Island Gateway

Key West International Airport, located in Monroe County, Florida, has a long history of aviation, dating back to 1913 with a flight to Cuba. The airport has one runway and two terminals designed by Mark Mosko and Dwane Stark of URS. Key West International offers direct flights to several major cities, including Atlanta, Miami, Boston, and Chicago, and is served by major airlines such as Delta, American, and United. In addition to air travel, visitors to Key West can also opt for land or sea transportation, with ferry services available from Ft. Myers and cruise ships visiting the island.

Key West International Airport history

Key West International Airport, located in Monroe County, Florida, has a rich aviation history that dates back over a century. The airport has played a crucial role in connecting Key West to the world and has undergone dynamic growth and development over the years.

The aviation history of Key West began on May 19, 1913, when Augustin Parla flew a bi-wing seaplane to Cuba without the aid of a compass. This pioneering spirit in aviation is commemorated in memorabilia at the San Carlos Museum in Key West, and Parla's name is inscribed at the Smithsonian Institute as one of the "Early Birds". Five years later, in 1918, a two-motored Navy seaplane made the same journey to Cuba. During this early period, the main runway at Meacham Field served as an essential aviation hub, especially during World War II, when it was used by the U.S. Army and Navy as an alternative to the Trumbo Point seaplane base.

In the post-war years, the city took control of what became the Key West Municipal Airport. A pivotal moment came in January 1953 when the city transferred ownership of Meacham Field to Monroe County, enabling the county to pursue Federal Aviation Administration grants. This transition coincided with the airport's renaming as the Key West International Airport. National Airlines commenced flights to Miami in 1944, initially utilising Lockheed Lodestar twin-prop aircraft. However, it wasn't until around 1956 that the airport acquired a paved runway.

The 1960s and 1970s witnessed the advent of jet flights to Key West, with National Airlines introducing the first jet services in 1968, providing nonstop flights to Miami. By 1969, National Airlines was operating daily 727 jet service to major hubs like Washington National Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, and John F. Kennedy International Airport via connecting flights in Miami, West Palm Beach, and Orlando. During this period, several other airlines, including Air Florida Commuter, Dolphin Airlines, and Jetstream International Airlines, also commenced jet services to Key West, primarily offering nonstop flights to Miami and other destinations in Florida.

The early 1990s marked a shift as USAir and Eastern Air Lines discontinued their jet services to Key West, resulting in a decade where propeller aircraft dominated commercial flights to and from the airport. Cape Air emerged during this time, launching services to Naples in 1993 and expanding to Fort Lauderdale and Fort Myers in 1996.

In 2009, mainline jet service returned to Key West with the introduction of AirTran Airways, the airport's first low-cost carrier, offering flights to Orlando International Airport. This development was accompanied by upgrades to Delta Air Lines' Atlanta flights, which transitioned to mainline service on Boeing 737s. The following years saw continued expansion, with AirTran adding flights to Tampa in 2011 and Southwest Airlines assuming control of flights to Orlando and Tampa in 2012. Southwest Airlines also introduced service to New Orleans in 2013, further enhancing Key West's connectivity.

Airlines that serve Key West

Key West International Airport, located around 180 miles southwest of Miami Airport, has a long aviation history that dates back to 1913 when Augustin Parla made a flight to Cuba. The airport covers 334 acres of land and has one runway that is 5,076 feet long and 100 feet wide. The runway length limits the aircraft size that can be accommodated, with the largest aircraft currently served being the Airbus A319 and Boeing 737-700.

A variety of airlines serve Key West, providing connections to various destinations. Here is a list of some of the airlines that have provided or currently provide service to Key West:

• National Airlines: National served Key West for nearly 25 years, operating prop aircraft and turboprops. In 1968, they introduced the first jet flights to Key West, offering nonstop service to Miami.
• Delta Air Lines: Delta Connection carrier Comair began service to Delta's hub in Orlando in 1988 and briefly served other destinations like Tampa and Fort Lauderdale.
• American Airlines: American Eagle Airlines started service from Key West to Miami in 1989, initially using propjets before introducing regional jet service.
• Cape Air: This airline began serving Key West in 1993 with flights to Naples and later expanded to Fort Lauderdale and Fort Myers.
• Airways International: Airways International offered flights to Fort Lauderdale and Miami in the early 1990s.
• Pan Am Express: This airline provided flights to Miami in the early 1990s.
• Paradise Island Airlines: They operated code-sharing flights to Key West.
• JetBlue Airways: Provides non-stop service to Boston and New York.
• Allegiant Air: Offers non-stop service to St. Petersburg, Asheville, Indianapolis, Sanford, Nashville, and Cincinnati.
• United Airlines: One of the airlines serving Key West, providing connections to various destinations.
• Silver Airways: Along with Delta, American, and United, Silver Airways is one of the carriers serving Key West International Airport, providing air carrier service for the Florida Keys.

Rental car options at the airport

Key West International Airport, located in Monroe County, Florida, offers a range of rental car options for travellers. The airport is served by several well-known car rental companies, providing a variety of vehicles to suit different needs and preferences. Here is an overview of the rental car options available at the airport:

Avis Rent a Car: Avis has a presence at Key West International Airport, offering a diverse fleet of vehicles. Their selection includes spacious minivans and passenger vans, perfect for larger groups or families. They also offer high-performance muscle cars and sports cars for those seeking a thrilling driving experience. Avis provides a convenient pick-up service, and their rental counter can be found in the baggage claim area. The rental cars are parked outside the baggage claim for easy access.

Budget Rent a Car: Budget offers a seamless car rental experience at Key West International Airport. They provide a range of vehicles, including luxury cars and convertibles, ideal for enjoying the ocean breeze during your stay in Key West. Budget also offers minivans, ensuring comfortable transportation for families exploring Florida's attractions. The Budget mobile app simplifies the rental process, allowing users to reserve, modify, or cancel their rental directly from their mobile devices.

Other Options: In addition to Avis and Budget, there are likely other car rental companies operating at Key West International Airport. These companies may include popular national brands as well as local rental agencies. It is recommended to check the airport's website or make direct inquiries to determine the full range of rental car options available.

It is worth noting that Key West International Airport has a single runway, which limits the size of aircraft that can operate there. This may impact the availability and variety of rental cars, as some larger vehicles may not be accommodated by smaller aircraft. However, with its rich aviation history, Key West International Airport continues to serve as a vital gateway to the Florida Keys, providing travellers with convenient access to their desired destinations.

Other ways to get to Key West

Key West International Airport is located 3 miles from the historic district of the island of Key West, and it is the main airport serving the island. However, if you are looking for other ways to get to Key West, there are a few options.

By Car

Key West is accessible by car via the Overseas Highway. The drive from Miami is approximately 3 hours, and it is considered one of the most scenic routes in the United States. Along the way, you will drive over bridges and islands, and if you're lucky, you might even spot dolphins. However, keep in mind that the drive can be slow due to traffic and accidents, and you may want to return your rental car once you arrive in Key West as it won't be very useful for getting around the island.

By Ferry

Ferry service is available to Key West from Fort Myers. This trip usually takes a full day, but overnight options are available. There is no ferry service to Key West from any other city, including Miami.

By Cruise Ship

While there are no cruise ships that originate in Key West, many cruise ships visit the island as a stop on their itineraries.

By Bus

Key West has a public bus system with 5 routes that can help you get around the island economically. The Green line runs along the north coast, the Blue line goes along the south coast, and the Red and Orange lines cover the central area of the island. The Lower Keys bus route takes you through the Florida Keys islands and up to Marathon. Tickets can be purchased on the bus, and there are various options such as one-way tickets and day passes. The Duval Loop bus is another option that will take you around the Old Town for free from 6 am to midnight.

By Bicycle, Moped, or Scooter

Due to the small size of the island, renting a car is not ideal. Most people get around by bicycle, moped, or small electric automobile. Cycling is the most recommended way to explore the island, as it only takes about an hour to bike around the entire island, and you can enjoy the flat terrain. Some public buses even have racks to carry bicycles if you need a break or want to explore other islands.

The airport's future aviation plans

Key West International Airport, owned and operated by Monroe County, has a bright future ahead with several aviation plans in the works. The airport has a rich aviation history, dating back to 1913 when Augustin Parla made the first flight to Cuba.

The airport currently covers 334 acres of land, with one runway that is 5,076 feet long and 100 feet wide. This runway length restricts the size of aircraft that can serve the airport, with the largest aircraft currently being the Airbus A319 and Boeing 737-700. The airport has two terminals, one ground-level and the other elevated over the parking lot, serving around 870,000 passengers in 2018.

Now, let's look at the future aviation plans for Key West International Airport:

Short-term Plans:

The airport is currently undergoing construction of a new $98.8 million passenger concourse, expected to be completed in early 2025. This new concourse will significantly enhance the airport's capabilities, featuring a new departures area, improved security checkpoints, additional baggage areas, and new gates with seven jet bridges.

Medium-term Plans:

The airport is anticipating an increase in air traffic, with an expected average annual growth rate of 2.4% over the next 20 years. This will likely lead to an increase in the number of passengers served by the airport, with projections estimating 1.1 to 1.2 million passengers per year by 2035. To accommodate this growth, the airport will need to expand its infrastructure and improve its facilities.

Long-term Plans:

The Master Plan Update, approved by the County Commission in 2018, provides a comprehensive framework for the airport's long-term development. This plan takes into account sea-level rise, an important consideration for the airport's future. The recent runway improvement project elevated the runway by 6 inches, addressing immediate concerns.

The Master Plan Update includes short-, medium-, and long-term development strategies to meet future aviation needs. While the specific details of the long-term plans are not publicly available, the focus is likely on ensuring the airport can handle the projected increase in air traffic and passenger numbers. This could include further expansion of terminals, additional runways or improvements to existing ones, enhanced ground transportation options, and increased collaboration with airlines to offer more direct flights to various destinations.

Key West International Airport is committed to staying ahead of the curve, ensuring it can provide efficient and effective aviation services to meet the growing demands of passengers and airlines alike.

Frequently asked questions