Key West's Airport: An Island Aviation Hub

Key West International Airport (IATA: EYW, ICAO: KEYW, FAA LID: EYW) is located in the City of Key West in Monroe County, Florida, United States. The airport is situated 2 miles (3.2 km; 1.7 nmi) east of Key West's main commercial centre. Key West International Airport has a rich aviation history, dating back to 1913 when Augustin Parla made a flight to Cuba. The airport has continued to expand and develop over the years, with several airlines offering regular services to various destinations.

Key West International Airport's history

Key West International Airport is located in the City of Key West in Monroe County, Florida, United States, just 2 miles (3.2 km) east of the main commercial centre of Key West. It is the southernmost airport in the continental United States.

The airport's history is deeply intertwined with the island's unique development and transformation into a world-renowned tourist destination and a vibrant cultural centre. The evolution of the airport mirrors the dynamic growth and development of the island itself.

The Early Years

Key West's aviation history began in 1913 when Augustin Parla flew a biplane seaplane to Cuba on May 19, 1913, without a compass to guide him. In 1918, a two-motored Navy seaplane flew to Cuba. In 1928, Pan American Airways began scheduled flights from Key West, with the primary runway at Meacham Field.

World War II

During World War II, Meacham Field was pressed into service by the U.S. Army and Navy as an alternative to the Trumbo Point seaplane base and the main Naval Air Station on Boca Chica Key. After the war, the city took control of the runway, and the civilian facility became known as the Key West Municipal Airport.

The 1950s

In January 1953, the city transferred ownership of Meacham Field to Monroe County, allowing the county to apply for Federal Aviation Administration grants. The airport was then renamed Key West International Airport. That same month, 63 planes from the 10th annual "Snowbirds Flight" returned to Key West from Havana, and National Airlines operated two daily flights from Miami.

The 1960s and 1970s

In the 1960s and 1970s, several airlines began operating jet services to Key West. In 1968, National Airlines introduced the first jet flights to Key West with Boeing 727-100s, providing non-stop service to Miami. By 1969, they were operating daily jet services to major cities like Washington and Philadelphia. During this time, other airlines like Air Florida, Eastern Airlines, and Piedmont Airlines also began offering nonstop flights to Miami with jetliners.

The 1980s and 1990s

In the 1980s and 1990s, several commuter and regional airlines served Key West with turboprop and prop aircraft, offering nonstop flights to various destinations in Florida. Delta Connection, American Eagle Airlines, Cape Air, Airways International, and Gulfstream International Airlines were among the carriers operating during this period.

The 2000s and Beyond

In the early 2000s, mainline jet service returned to Key West, and the airport underwent significant renovations and expansions. In 2009, a new terminal was opened, doubling the airport's size. In 2017, the airport received a grant from the FAA for a runway extension project, and in 2022, construction began on a new passenger concourse, expected to be completed in early 2025.

Airlines that serve Key West

Key West International Airport (IATA: EYW, ICAO: KEYW, FAA LID: EYW) is located in Monroe County, Florida, 2 miles (3.2 km) east of Key West's main commercial centre. The airport has a relatively short runway at 5,076 feet (1,547 m) long, which limits the size of aircraft that can serve the airport.

The following airlines serve Key West:

American Airlines

American Airlines offers non-stop services to and from Miami (MIA), Philadelphia (PHL), Charlotte (CLT), Dallas (DFW), Chicago (ORD), New York (LGA), and Washington D.C. (DCA).

Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines provides non-stop flights to Atlanta (ATL) and New York (LGA). Delta also offers mainline jet services to and from Key West, primarily using the Airbus A319.

Silver Airways

Silver Airways provides non-stop flights to Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Orlando (MCO), Fort Myers (RSW), and Tampa (TPA). Silver Airways operates ATR 42 and ATR 72 turboprop aircraft.

United Airlines

United Airlines offers non-stop services to Houston (IAH), Newark (EWR), Washington-Dulles (IAD), and Chicago (ORD). United operates the Boeing 737-700.

JetBlue Airways

JetBlue Airways provides non-stop flights to Boston (BOS) and New York (JFK). JetBlue operates the Airbus A220.

Allegiant Air

Allegiant Air offers non-stop services to St. Petersburg (PIE), Asheville (AVL), Indianapolis (IND), Sanford (SFB), Nashville (BNA), and Cincinnati (CVG).

Other Airlines

Several other airlines have served or currently serve Key West, including AirTran Airways (which was acquired by Southwest Airlines in 2011), Cape Air, US Airways, and American Eagle Airlines. Many flights to and from Key West are routed through Miami International Airport.

Hotels near the airport

Hotels near Key West Airport

Key West International Airport is located just 2 miles from the main commercial centre of Key West, Florida. There are numerous hotels within a mile of the airport, with many offering free shuttle services. Here is a list of some of the closest hotels to the airport:

Hyatt Vacation Club at Windward Pointe

This hotel is just half a mile from the airport and offers free parking, WiFi, and an on-site restaurant.

Hampton Inn Key West FL

The Hampton Inn is only 0.4 miles from the airport and provides a free shuttle service to the town centre. It also offers free breakfast and parking.

DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Grand Key - Key West

The DoubleTree Resort is 0.6 miles from the airport and offers free pool cabanas, WiFi, and an on-site restaurant.

Margaritaville Beach House Key West

Located 1 mile from the airport, Margaritaville offers resort-style amenities and free cancellations.

Fairfield Inn & Suites Key West at The Keys Collection

This hotel is 1.1 miles from the airport and features free cancellations, as well as a friendly staff and daily cleanups.

Hilton Garden Inn Key West, The Keys Collection

The Hilton Garden Inn is 1.2 miles from the airport and offers free cancellations, clean rooms, and amazing staff.

The Perry Hotel Key West

A little further out at 1.4 miles from the airport, The Perry Hotel offers a quiet oasis away from the touristy party vibe of Key West. It also has a free shuttle service to the town centre.

Oceans Edge Resort & Marina Key West

At 2 miles from the airport, this resort is a little further out but still offers amazing pool and beach areas, as well as free cancellations.

Car rentals at the airport

Key West International Airport (IATA: EYW, ICAO: KEYW, FAA LID: EYW) is located in the City of Key West in Monroe County, Florida, 2 miles (3.2 km; 1.7 nmi) east of the main commercial centre of Key West. The airport has a range of car rental services available, including Budget, Enterprise, Avis, National, Alamo, Sixt, Dollar, and Payless.

The car rental counters are located in the arrivals/baggage claim area of the airport. The rental cars themselves can be found in the airport parking lot. The airport provides parking for 300 vehicles at ground level beneath the newer terminal—150 spaces for rental cars and 150 for the public.

Budget Rent a Car offers a free pick-up service for customers. To use this service, customers must call their rental location directly to arrange pick-up at least 24 hours before their desired rental time. When calling, customers should be ready to provide their precise address, exact time of pick-up, and a phone number. It is important to note that an off-airport Budget location cannot pick up customers from the airport.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car does not offer a pick-up service. However, they do provide instructions to customers wishing to return their vehicle after hours when they pick up the car. The renter's responsibility for the vehicle ends once an Enterprise employee inspects the vehicle the next business day. To return the vehicle, customers should lock the car and return the keys to the Enterprise drop box located near the main entrance of the rental office.

In addition to the car rental companies mentioned above, other companies also provide services at Key West International Airport, including National Enterprise, Alamo, Sixt, Dollar, and Payless.

Future projects at the airport

Key West International Airport has several future projects in the works as part of its master plan to modernise and expand the airport to accommodate growing passenger numbers.

The airport is expecting air traffic to increase by an average annual growth rate of 2.4% over the next 20 years. By 2035, the airport is projected to be operating at or near capacity, serving 1.1 million to 1.2 million passengers per year.

To prepare for this increase, the airport has embarked on several short- and long-term development plans. One of the key projects is the construction of the new Concourse A, which is expected to be completed in early 2025. This $98.8 million project will provide a modern and efficient concourse building with seven passenger boarding jet bridges, hold rooms, restrooms, baggage claim areas, and support areas. The concourse will be a single-storey concrete structure with natural lighting and a sense of transparency, enhancing the passenger experience.

In addition to the new concourse, the existing terminal building will also undergo renovations and improvements. This includes expanding the security checkpoint to four lanes, adding support spaces at the restaurant location, and providing direct access to the lower-level baggage claim area. A new extended passenger bridge will connect the existing terminal building with Concourse A.

Furthermore, the ground-level concourse will undergo a baggage-claim expansion to support increased baggage operations, including the expansion of the baggage make-up area and the construction of a turboprop hold room. A new rent-a-car facility area and baggage service offices will also be included in the ground-level expanded baggage claim hall.

Below the new concourse, additional baggage make-up areas, airline ramp spaces, and ramp equipment storage areas will be constructed. The new concourse will be accessed from the main terminal via an extended pedestrian bridge.

The airport's commitment to addressing sea-level rise will continue to be a focus in future projects, as demonstrated by the recent runway improvement project that elevated the runway by 6 inches.

Frequently asked questions