Key West Airport: Your Gateway To Paradise

what airport goes to key west

Key West International Airport, located directly on the island of Key West, is the closest airport to the island. The airport has a rich history, with aviation in the area beginning in 1913 with a flight to Cuba. The airport has seen many airlines come and go over the years, with several offering non-stop flights to various destinations in the United States. The airport provides direct air service to several cities, including Atlanta, Newark, Chicago, Charlotte, and Dallas.

Characteristics Values
Name Key West International Airport
Airport Code EYW
Location Eastern end of Key West island, Florida
Airlines Delta, American, United, Silver Airways, Allegiant Air, AirTran Airways, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, National Airlines, Air Florida, Dolphin Airlines, Jetstream International Airlines, Cape Air, Pan Am Express, Eastern Airlines, Air Florida Commuter, American Eagle Airlines, Airways International, Paradise Island Airlines, USAir, Eastern Air Lines, Cape Air, AirTran Airways, Southwest Airlines, Delta Connection carrier Comair
Destinations Atlanta, Newark, Chicago, Charlotte, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Asheville, Indianapolis, Sanford, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Philadelphia, New York, Fort Myers, Naples
Annual Passenger Traffic 870,000 (2018)
Expected Annual Passenger Traffic (2035) 1.1-1.2 million
Average Annual Growth Rate 2.4%
Runway Length 5,076 feet (1,547 metres)
History Aviation history began in 1913 with a flight to Cuba; Scheduled flights began in 1928; Became an international airport in 1953

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Airlines that fly to Key West International Airport

Key West International Airport has a rich history of aviation, dating back to 1913 when Augustin Parla made a flight to Cuba. Over the years, various airlines have served the airport, offering flights to different destinations and contributing to the development of aviation in the region.

One of the earliest recorded instances of scheduled flights from Key West was in 1928, when Pan American Airways began its operations. The airport, then known as Meacham Field, played a significant role during World War II, serving as an alternative to the Trumbo Point seaplane base. After the war, the city took over, and it became the Key West Municipal Airport.

During the 1940s, National Airlines began operating flights to Miami with Lockheed Lodestar twin-prop aircraft. This airline served Key West for nearly 25 years, later introducing jet service with Boeing 727-100s in 1968, providing nonstop flights to Miami. By 1969, National was operating daily jet service to major airports, including Washington National Airport and Philadelphia International Airport, with intermediate stops in Florida.

In the 1970s and 1980s, several commuter and regional airlines served Key West, primarily offering nonstop flights to Miami and other destinations in Florida, such as Fort Lauderdale, Naples, and Tampa. Some of these airlines included Air Florida Commuter, Dolphin Airlines, Jetstream International Airlines, Provincetown-Boston Airlines, and Southern Express.

Moving into the late 1980s and early 1990s, Delta Connection carrier Comair, American Eagle Airlines, and Cape Air began serving Key West, offering flights to various destinations in Florida. However, by the early 1990s, jet service to Key West by USAir and Eastern Air Lines came to an end, with propeller aircraft taking over for the rest of the decade.

In 2009, mainline jet service returned to Key West with AirTran Airways, the airport's first low-cost carrier, operating flights to Orlando International Airport. Delta Air Lines also upgraded some of their Atlanta flights to mainline service during this time. Southwest Airlines later took over AirTran's routes to Orlando and Tampa in 2012, expanding its service to New Orleans in 2013 before discontinuing all service to the airport in 2014.

Today, Key West International Airport continues to be served by airlines such as Allegiant Air, offering non-stop service to several destinations, including Tampa, Asheville, Indianapolis, and Cincinnati. JetBlue Airways also provides non-stop flights to Boston and New York. With its convenient location and historical significance, Key West International Airport remains an important gateway to the Florida Keys.

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The history of Key West International Airport

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, 2 miles (3.2 km; 1.7 nmi) east of the main commercial centre of Key West. The airport's relatively short runway of 5,076 feet (1,547 m) limits the maximum size of aircraft that can serve the airport, as well as restricting the weight of departing flights.

In the mid-20th century, several airlines began serving Key West with turboprop and prop aircraft. National Airlines, which served Key West for nearly 25 years, introduced the first jet flights to the airport in 1968, providing nonstop service to Miami with Boeing 727-100s. By 1969, National expanded its service to include daily jet flights to Washington, Philadelphia, and John F. Kennedy International Airport via intermediate stops.

During the 1970s and 1980s, several commuter and regional airlines, including Air Florida Commuter, Dolphin Airlines, and Jetstream International Airlines, offered nonstop flights to Miami and other destinations in Florida. In the early 1990s, jet service to Key West was discontinued, and all commercial flights were operated by propeller aircraft. Cape Air began serving Key West in 1993, offering flights to Naples, Fort Lauderdale, and Fort Myers.

In the 2000s, mainline jet service returned to Key West, with AirTran Airways introducing flights to Orlando in 2009. Delta Air Lines also upgraded some of their Atlanta flights to mainline service during this period. In 2011, AirTran added flights to Tampa, further improving connectivity to the region. However, Southwest Airlines, which took over AirTran's routes in 2012, discontinued service to the airport in 2014. In recent years, the airport has continued to receive grants and investments for improvements, including a $6.5 million grant from the FAA in 2017 towards a $10 million runway project.

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Rental car companies at Key West International Airport

Key West International Airport (EYW) is located in Key West, Florida, and is served by several rental car companies. The car rental counters are located in the arrivals/bag claim area.

Budget Rent a Car

Budget Rent a Car offers a wide range of vehicles, including luxury cars, convertibles, SUVs, and minivans. They provide affordable rates and allow customers to reserve, modify, or cancel their rental through their mobile app. Budget also offers monthly rental options for longer stays or road trips along the Florida coast.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Enterprise Rent-A-Car is another option for renting a vehicle at Key West International Airport. They offer various vehicles, including economy cars, full-size cars, cargo and minivans, and compact, small, and standard SUVs. Enterprise provides additional services such as roadside assistance and optional coverage plans like Personal Effects Coverage (PEC) and Supplemental Liability Protection (SLP).

Other Rental Car Companies

In addition to Budget and Enterprise, other rental car companies are available at Key West International Airport, although their specific offerings and details may not be as readily available online. It is always a good idea to research and compare multiple companies before making a reservation.

When planning a trip to Key West and renting a car, it is essential to consider the airport's relatively short runway, which may impact the size and weight of the aircraft (and by extension, rental car options) available. Additionally, some companies have specific requirements for renters, such as age, valid driver's license, and accepted forms of payment.

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Other ways to get to Key West

When planning a trip to Key West, Florida, you have a few options for airports to choose from. The closest airport is Key West International Airport (EYW), which is located just a few miles from the city center. This airport is convenient if you are looking to get to Key West as quickly as possible, as it is a small airport with mostly domestic flights.

However, there are also other airports in the region that you can fly into and then make your way to Key West by other means. These include Miami International Airport (MIA), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), and Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers. All of these airports offer a range of flight options and can be good alternatives, especially if you are looking for a cheaper flight or are already planning to travel through these cities.

If you do decide to fly into one of the larger airports, there are several ways to get to Key West from there. One option is to rent a car and drive. The drive from Miami to Key West is especially scenic, taking you over a series of bridges and through the Florida Keys. This option gives you the flexibility to make stops along the way and explore the area at your own pace.

You can also take a bus or shuttle service from these airports to Key West. This is a more affordable option, and there are several companies that offer this service with regular daily departures. The journey by bus takes around 4 to 5 hours from Miami or Fort Lauderdale, and around 3 hours from Fort Myers.

Another option is to take a train or a bus to Miami and then catch a ferry to Key West. This can be a great way to experience the beauty of the Florida coast and arrive in Key West by sea. The ferry journey takes around 3 hours, and there are several companies offering this service with daily departures from the Miami Sea Isle Marina.

Finally, you could also consider a private transfer or taxi service. This option can be more expensive, but it offers a direct and comfortable journey from the airport to your destination in Key West. These transfers can be easily booked in advance, and the driver will be waiting for you at the airport, ready to take you straight to your accommodation.

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The location of Key West International Airport

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. It is situated about 2 miles (3.2 km or 1.7 nautical miles) east of the main commercial centre of Key West. The airport is approximately 180 miles southwest of Miami Airport (MIA).

The airport's relatively short runway, at 5,076 feet (1,547 metres) long, restricts the size and weight of aircraft that can serve the airport. This has resulted in a history of turboprop, prop, and piston engine aircraft serving the airport, with some airlines operating jets on routes to and from Key West.

Key West's aviation history dates back to 1913, when Augustin Parla made a flight to Cuba. In 1928, Pan American Airways commenced scheduled flights from the city. During World War II, the main runway at Meacham Field was used by the U.S. Army and Navy as an alternative to the Trumbo Point seaplane base. After the war, the city took control of the airport, which became known as Key West Municipal Airport.

In January 1953, the city transferred ownership of Meacham Field to Monroe County, enabling the application for Federal Aviation Administration grants. This coincided with the airport becoming Key West International Airport. National Airlines commenced flights to Miami in 1944, initially using Lockheed Lodestar twin-prop aircraft. By 1969, National Airlines was operating daily jet services to destinations including Washington and Philadelphia, via intermediate stops.

Frequently asked questions

The airport that goes to Key West is called Key West International Airport.

The airport is located directly on the island of Key West, at the eastern end of the 4-mile wide island, which is offshore of the southeast tip of Florida.

The airport code for Key West International Airport is EYW.

Airlines that currently fly to Key West with non-stop service include Delta, American, United, and Silver. Allegiant Air also provides non-stop service to Tampa, Asheville, Indianapolis, Sanford, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh.

Key West International Airport provides direct air service to several cities, including Atlanta, Newark, Chicago, Charlotte, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Philadelphia, and New York.

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