KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Beginning Thursday, Dec. 17, visitors to Key West can take advantage of AirTran Airways’ nonstop jet service between Orlando and the island city.

The AirTran flights, to be offered four times per week, will inaugurate the first scheduled service to Key West by a major low-cost carrier.

The airline plans to use 137-passenger Boeing 737-700 aircraft for the route.

As well as nonstop Orlando flights, AirTran is to offer direct same-plane service from Atlanta and convenient connections in Orlando and Atlanta to destinations around the AirTran Airways network.

"AirTran's extensive network will mean one-stop service into Key West from almost every major city in the United States including Washington DC, New York and Charlotte, North Carolina," said Harold Wheeler, director of the Florida Keys & Key West tourism council.

Flights are scheduled Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Departures from Orlando International Airport are set for 11:30 a.m. with arrivals at Key West International Airport at 12:40 p.m. Return flights to Orlando are scheduled to depart Key West at 1:30 p.m. and arrive in Orlando at 2:40 p.m.

One-way coach fares between Key West and Orlando are to begin at $119 per person plus taxes and fees.

For more information and to book a flight, visit airtran.com.

For lodging information in Key West, contact the Key West Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-LAST-KEY (800-527-8539) or explore this Web site.