Florida Keys Airports: A Comprehensive Guide To Air Travel

The Florida Keys are a 110-mile string of islands with two airports: the Florida Keys Marathon International Airport and the Key West International Airport. The former is located in the very centre of the Keys and is a general aviation facility that provides aeronautical, emergency, business, and ground transportation services to the Middle Keys community. The latter is the westernmost point of the Florida Keys and has recently undergone a full runway reconstruction to accommodate larger aircraft.

Florida Keys Marathon International Airport

The Florida Keys Marathon International Airport (IATA: MTH, ICAO: KMTH, FAA LID: MTH) is located in Monroe County, Florida, United States. The airport is situated along the Overseas Highway (US1) in Marathon, covering 197 acres (80 ha) of land with a single 8000-foot runway. It is the only airport in the very centre of the Florida Keys, offering a convenient entry point for travellers. The airport was opened in 1943, originally constructed by the U.S. Navy as an auxiliary airfield for the Naval Air Station in Key West during World War II. After the war, it was deactivated as a military facility and transferred to Monroe County for civilian use.

The airport provides convenient transportation options for travellers, with car rental, taxi, and bus services available directly from the terminal. Notable companies operating at the airport include Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and Key Hopper Taxi Service. Additionally, Florida Keys Marathon International Airport offers the advantage of free parking, a convenient amenity for those travelling through the region.

For those seeking a private aviation experience, the airport is well-equipped to handle private aircraft of various sizes. Its 5,000-foot runway allows for flexibility in aircraft choices, and private aviation advisors are available to assist in chartering the appropriate aircraft for specific needs. Customs services are also available at the airport for international travellers, operating on a Wednesday-to-Sunday schedule from 9 AM to 5:30 PM.

Key West International Airport

The airport's history dates back to 1913 when Augustin Parla made a flight to Cuba. In 1928, Pan American Airways began scheduled flights from Key West. The airport became Key West International Airport in 1953 when the city gave Monroe County the title to Meacham Field. The airport opened with one terminal in 1957, and it was not until around 1956 that the runway was paved. In 1968, National Airlines began the first jet flights into Key West with non-stop service to Miami.

In 2009, a new 30,000-square-foot terminal opened, doubling the size of the airport. The airport's runway was extended to 5,000 feet, allowing it to accommodate larger aircraft, including Boeing 737s. The runway is still relatively short at 5,076 feet (1,547 m), which limits the size and weight of aircraft that can serve the airport.

Direct flights to Key West

There are two airports in the Florida Keys: Florida Keys Marathon International and Key West International Airport. Key West International Airport has recently undergone a full runway reconstruction to accommodate larger aircraft, including the Boeing 737. The airport also offers U.S. Customs services for travellers coming from international locations such as the Bahamas and other Caribbean islands.

Key West International Airport (EYW) offers direct flights from 24 cities. Here are some of the airlines that provide non-stop services to Key West:

American Airlines

American Airlines offers non-stop flights to Key West from the following cities:

• Miami (MIA)
• Philadelphia (PHL)
• Charlotte (CLT)
• Dallas (DFW)
• Chicago (ORD)
• New York (LGA)
• Washington, D.C. (DCA)

Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines provides non-stop service to Atlanta (ATL) and New York (LGA).

United Airlines

United Airlines offers non-stop flights to Key West from the following destinations:

• Houston (IAH)
• Newark (EWR)
• Washington-Dulles (IAD)
• Chicago (ORD)

JetBlue Airways

JetBlue Airways provides non-stop service to Boston (BOS) and New York (JFK).

Allegiant Air

Allegiant Air offers non-stop flights to Key West from several cities, including:

• St. Petersburg (PIE)
• Asheville (AVL)
• Indianapolis (IND)
• Sanford (SFB)
• Nashville (BNA)
• Cincinnati (CVG)
• Tampa (TPA)

Charter flights to Florida Keys Marathon Airport

The Florida Keys Marathon International Airport (IATA: MTH, ICAO: KMTH, FAA LID: MTH) is a public airport located in the heart of the Florida Keys in Marathon, Florida. The airport is centrally located, just an hour's drive from Key West and Key Largo. It is a convenient gateway for travellers to access the many attractions and destinations in the area, including Sombrero Beach, Crane Point Museum and Nature Center, and the Dolphin Research Center.

Florida Keys Marathon Airport offers a range of amenities to enhance the travel experience for pilots and passengers alike. The airport features a modern terminal with comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and clean restrooms. Additionally, pilot lounges, flight planning rooms, and car rental services are available on-site. The airport also provides ample free parking for those driving to the facility.

The airport covers 197 acres and has a single 8,000-foot runway, accommodating various private aircraft sizes. It serves general aviation, commercial operators, and private aircraft, including air charter services. While it does not have any scheduled commercial flights, Florida Keys Marathon Airport experiences varying levels of air traffic throughout the year, with peak tourist seasons typically resulting in increased activity.

Throughout its history, the airport has been primarily a general aviation facility, although it did have scheduled passenger airline service for over 25 years. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, small Cessna twin-prop aircraft operated by American Air Taxi provided limited passenger service to Marathon. In 2007, Delta Air Lines operated regional jet flights between Atlanta and Marathon through its regional subsidiary Atlantic Southeast Airlines, marking the first time the airport had scheduled jet service.

Transport from the airport

There are two airports in the Florida Keys: Florida Keys Marathon International Airport and Key West International Airport.

Florida Keys Marathon International Airport

This airport is located in the very centre of the Keys. Ground transportation is available, including airport shuttle buses, taxis, and rental cars. The following car rental, taxi, and bus companies are located in the terminal: Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and Key Hopper Taxi Service. There is also free parking available at the airport.

Key West International Airport

Key West International Airport is located at the westernmost point of the Florida Keys. This airport offers various ground transportation options, including local shuttle buses and rental cars. Taxis and Key West Transit buses serve the airport and can be found curb side at the terminal.

Getting to the Florida Keys from other airports

The Florida Keys can also be reached from other airports, such as Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. From Miami International Airport, it is a 3.5-4 hour drive to the Florida Keys. From Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, the drive is about 30 minutes longer. FlixBus offers transportation services from these airports to Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key, and Key West.

Frequently asked questions