New Nonstop Flights Make Travel to Keys Even More Convenient

Passengers traveling to the Florida Keys & Key West have a variety of new nonstop flight options for convenient air access to the island chain.

Nonstop flights are soon to be added to Key West International Airport from Nashville, Tennessee — home to a variety of country artists with musical ties and connections to Key West, home of the annual Key West Songwriters Festival —  and from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and greater Cincinnati, Ohio.

Recent nonstop service also has been launched from New York City, Boston and Houston.

“It’s very exciting to see this much interest from the airlines,” said Richard Strickland, director of airports to the Florida Keys' Monroe County. “That interest is representative of the demand from people who want to travel to the wonderful destination of the Florida Keys and Key West.” 

In June, Allegiant is to add twice-weekly nonstop service to Key West on Airbus A319 aircraft from three locales: beginning June 2 from Nashville International Airport on Wednesdays and Saturdays, starting June 3 from Pittsburgh International Airport on Thursdays and Sundays, and beginning June 9 from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Popular for low fares on nonstop flights, Allegiant chose Key West as one of its new U.S. gateway cities known for outdoor recreation. Visit allegiantair.com or call 702-505-8888.

JetBlue has launched year-round, low-fare service to Key West from New York City’s John F. Kennedy and Boston Logan international airports. Flights are scheduled Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays and Mondays on Embraer 190 aircraft with 100 passenger seats, including 16 “even more space” seats and two-by-two seating with ample leg room. Visit jetblue.com or call 800-538-2583.

Through May 5 United Airlines has daily nonstop service between Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Key West. United’s 70-passenger Embraer E175 aircraft has 12 first-class, 16 economy-plus and 42 standard economy seats. 

United also has daily nonstop service from its hubs at Chicago O’Hare and New Jersey’s Newark Liberty international airports and Dulles International Airport in greater Washington, D.C. Visit united.com or call 800-864-8331. 

American offers daily intra-Florida nonstop flights to Key West from Orlando and Tampa international airports through May 5 on 76-seat Embraer E175 regional jets, with seating for 64 main cabin and 12 first-class passengers. American also has year-round daily nonstop service to Key West from Philadelphia and Dallas–Fort Worth international airports. Visit aa.com or call 800-733-4300. 

In addition, passengers can fly nonstop to Key West from Atlanta; Charlotte, North Carolina; LaGuardia Airport in New York City; and  Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Florida. 

Additional airlines serving Key West include Delta Air Lines and Silver Airways. For flight information, visit eyw.com or call 305-809-5200.

To augment passenger health protection, a coronavirus-fighting robot is now patrolling Key West International Airport’s interior spaces after hours. Debuted in December and whimsically dubbed “R2Key2,” the robot emits high-intensity ultraviolet UV-C wavelength light that kills 99.9% of pathogens, including the coronavirus, in the air and on surfaces. Key West’s airport was among the first in the United States to acquire one of the sophisticated units. 

The Middle Florida Keys also are to have new air service. Beginning March 4, Fort Lauderdale–based Aztec Airways — an on-demand commuter scheduled air carrier founded in 1988 — is to offer nonstop scheduled passenger service to Florida Keys Marathon International Airport’s fixed-base operation from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. Flights are scheduled Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays on eight-passenger air-conditioned Piper Chieftain aircraft. Visit flyaztec.com or call 954-601-3742.