Key West Airport (EYW) Guide: Flights, Airlines & Transfers (2026)

Key West Airport (EYW) is one of the most pleasantly small airports in the United States. Eight gates. Two connected terminal buildings. A single security line. Walking from your gate to the curb takes 90 seconds. Palm trees line the tarmac. The whole airport handles roughly 1 million passengers per year — a fraction of what Miami International does in two weeks. This compact scale is the airport’s primary feature: arriving travelers are typically curbside within 10 minutes of touchdown, and TSA wait times rarely exceed 20 minutes even at peak. This guide is the complete 2026 Key West Airport playbook with all current airlines, every nonstop destination, rental car logistics, ground transportation options (Uber, Lyft, taxi, hotel shuttle, Keys Shuttle), parking, the alternative-airport math (Miami MIA vs Fort Lauderdale FLL drive options), and what to expect from the small-airport experience. Written by Key West locals who use this airport regularly.

You will find the complete airline list (American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Allegiant, Breeze, Silver Airways), every nonstop route from EYW, on-airport vs off-airport rental car details, current parking pricing, blue-curb pickup locations for ridesharing, hotel shuttle list, the Keys Shuttle service, and an honest comparison with flying into Miami International Airport (MIA, 165 miles north — 4-hour drive) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL, 200 miles north).

Quick Facts About Key West Airport

Official name: Key West International Airport.
IATA code: EYW.
ICAO code: KEYW.
Annual passengers: ~1 million.
Owner: Monroe County, Florida.
Distance from Old Town: 2.5 miles (5-10 minute drive).
Original opened: 1957 (current configuration includes 2009 elevated departures terminal).
Single runway: 9/27, 5,076 feet.

Airlines Serving Key West Airport (2026)

American Airlines

Nonstop routes: Miami (MIA), Charlotte (CLT), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW).

Hubs accessible: Connect at MIA, CLT, or DFW to virtually anywhere in American’s network.

Delta Air Lines

Nonstop routes: Atlanta (ATL); seasonal LaGuardia (LGA).

Hubs accessible: Connect at ATL for Delta’s full network.

United Airlines

Nonstop routes: Houston (IAH), Newark (EWR), Washington-Dulles (IAD), Chicago (ORD).

Hubs accessible: Connect at IAH, EWR, IAD, or ORD.

JetBlue Airways

Nonstop routes: Boston (BOS), New York JFK.

Strong for: Northeast travelers seeking nonstop service.

Allegiant Air

Nonstop routes: Tampa (TPA), Asheville (AVL), Indianapolis (IND), Sanford-Orlando (SFB), Cincinnati (CVG), Pittsburgh (PIT), St. Pete-Clearwater (PIE), Knoxville (TYS), Columbus Rickenbacker (LCK starting May 21, 2026).

Strong for: Mid-size US cities without legacy carrier nonstop service. Allegiant tends to fly 2-3 days per week per route — confirm scheduling carefully.

Note: Allegiant has a 50-pound bag limit (vs 50/70 standard) and charges for many extras — read the bag-fee schedule.

Breeze Airways

Nonstop routes: Tampa (TPA), Orlando (MCO), Akron-Canton (CAK), Raleigh-Durham (RDU).

Strong for: Mid-size cities without legacy carrier service.

Silver Airways

Nonstop routes: Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Tampa (TPA).

Note: Silver Airways routes have been volatile post-bankruptcy; confirm current schedule before booking.

All Nonstop Destinations from EYW

Total of 26 nonstop domestic destinations:

Florida: Miami (MIA), Tampa (TPA), Orlando (MCO/SFB), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), St. Pete-Clearwater (PIE).

Southeast: Atlanta (ATL), Charlotte (CLT), Asheville (AVL), Raleigh-Durham (RDU).

Northeast: Boston (BOS), New York (JFK, LGA seasonal, EWR), Washington-Dulles (IAD), Pittsburgh (PIT).

Midwest: Chicago (ORD), Indianapolis (IND), Cincinnati (CVG), Columbus Rickenbacker (LCK May 2026), Akron-Canton (CAK).

South Central: Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Houston (IAH).

Southeast secondary: Knoxville (TYS).

Airport Layout and Facilities

Two connected terminal buildings:

Ground level (1957): Baggage claim, ticket counters, rental car desks, ground transportation curb.

Elevated departures (2009): Security checkpoint, gates, departure concourse.

Number of gates: 8.

Security: Single TSA checkpoint. Wait times rarely exceed 20 minutes even at peak. TSA Pre-Check available certain hours.

Dining/retail:

Pre-security: Conch Republic Bar (full bar), small café.
Post-security: Small bar/cafés at the gates, vending machines.

Wi-Fi: Free throughout the terminal.

Charging stations: Limited at the gates. Bring your own portable charger.

ATM: Available pre-security.

Lost and found: 305-809-5200 ext 5.

Rental Cars at Key West Airport

On-Airport Rental Companies

Avis — Counter at the rental facility outside baggage claim.
Budget — Same facility (Avis-Budget owns both).
Hertz — Counter at the rental facility.

Off-Airport Rental Companies (Shuttle Pickup)

Alamo, Enterprise, National, Thrifty — All off-airport with shuttle pickup at the blue curb outside baggage claim.

Rental Car Pricing

Low season (May-November): $34-65/day for economy, $50-100/day for SUV.

High season (December-April): $80-180/day for economy, $120-250/day for SUV.

Pro tip: Many travelers skip the rental car in Key West because the island is small and walkable/bikeable. Resort hotel parking adds $25-40/night. Old Town parking is metered ($4/hour). For 4+ night Key West-only trips, the rental car often costs $400-1,500 with no real benefit. Skip it unless you’re driving up to Marathon, Bahia Honda, or other Lower Keys destinations.

Ground Transportation

Uber and Lyft

Pickup location: Blue curb, outside and to the right of Arrivals/Baggage Claim.

Pricing: Old Town typical fare $15-25. Surge pricing during peak hours.

Wait times: Generally 5-15 minutes. Longer during late-night arrivals.

Taxis

Taxis are on standby outside baggage claim. Pricing: $20-30 to Old Town.

Hotel Courtesy Shuttles

Many major Key West hotels offer free airport shuttle service. Common operators:

Best Western Key Ambassador, DoubleTree Grand Key, Margaritaville Beach House, Hampton Inn Key West, Holiday Inn Express, Hyatt Place Marathon (with longer drive), Casa Marina Key West (paid concierge service), Sheraton Key West.

Pickup: Same blue curb as Uber/Lyft. Confirm shuttle schedule with your hotel before arrival.

Keys Shuttle

Door-to-door shared van service connecting Miami International (MIA), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), and Key West (EYW).

Schedule: 6 daily departures.
Capacity: 12-passenger vans.
Pricing: $50-85/person depending on origin and destination.
Reservation: Required, book at keysshuttle.com or 305-289-9997.

Greyhound Bus

Long-haul bus service between Miami and Key West with FLL stop. ~$35-55 per person, 4-5 hours.

Parking at Key West Airport

Short-term parking: $1.50/half-hour, $20/24 hours.

Long-term parking: Lower hourly rates, $14/24 hours typical for daily.

Off-airport economy lots: Several private lots with shuttle service. Pricing $8-12/day with multi-day discounts.

No free parking at the airport itself.

Reservations: Most parking is first-come, first-served. Off-airport private lots accept reservations.

Alternative Airports: Miami vs Fort Lauderdale vs EYW

Miami International Airport (MIA)

Distance from Key West: ~165 miles, 4 hours via Overseas Highway (US-1).

Pros: Many more flight choices, often cheaper fares (especially international connections), more frequent service. International travelers must connect through MIA.

Cons: 4-hour drive each direction. Adds substantial day to the trip.

Best for: International travelers, travelers with very price-sensitive itineraries, multi-week Florida trips that combine Miami with Key West.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL)

Distance: ~200 miles, 4-4.5 hours.

Pros: Strong Spirit and Frontier service for budget-conscious travelers, often cheaper than EYW or MIA.

Cons: Slightly longer drive than MIA. No real time advantage over MIA.

Best for: Spirit/Frontier loyalists, very budget-focused travelers.

Key West (EYW)

Pros: 5-10 minute drive to Old Town. Quick in-and-out experience. No connecting drive day.

Cons: Higher fares (typically $100-300 more than MIA), fewer flight options, fewer schedule choices.

Best for: Most leisure travelers, especially for trips of 4 nights or less.

When to Choose Each Airport

Trip 4 nights or less: Fly into EYW. The drive day each way isn’t worth it.

Trip 5-7 nights: EYW if cost difference is under $200. MIA/FLL if savings are $300+ and you want Miami time.

Trip 7+ nights: MIA can work — combine 1-2 days in Miami before/after Key West to absorb the drive.

International travelers: MIA. Connect to EYW via American Airlines or use Keys Shuttle.

The Small-Airport Experience

What sets Key West Airport apart from major airports:

Tarmac walk: Most flights board via stairs from the tarmac (not jetway), with palm trees visible. The walk from gate to plane is part of the Key West experience.

Sea breeze: The terminal sits 1,500 feet from the Atlantic. Salt air is noticeable.

Fast in-and-out: Average time from gate to curb is 10 minutes including baggage claim. TSA wait times rarely exceed 20 minutes.

Casual atmosphere: Beach attire is common at the gates. Travelers in flip-flops and beach hats are normal.

No jet bridges: Most aircraft (regional jets, Allegiant Airbus, etc.) board via stairs. Jet bridges have been added on a few gates but the small-airport feel persists.

TSA Pre-Check and Tips

TSA Pre-Check is available at Key West Airport during certain hours. Status varies by time of day and TSA staffing.

Best times: Mid-morning and early afternoon for shortest wait times. Late afternoon/early evening (Allegiant departures) can spike.

Bag drop: Curbside check-in available for major airlines.

Liquid restrictions: Standard 3-1-1 TSA rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

What airlines fly to Key West Florida?

American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Allegiant, Breeze Airways, and Silver Airways all serve Key West Airport (EYW). 26 nonstop domestic destinations total.

Is there a direct flight from New York to Key West?

Yes — JetBlue flies nonstop from JFK. Delta operates seasonal LaGuardia (LGA) service. United flies nonstop from Newark (EWR).

How far is Miami airport from Key West?

Approximately 165 miles via the Overseas Highway (US-1). Drive time is 4 hours direct. Add traffic time during peak periods.

What is the closest major airport to Key West?

Key West Airport (EYW) itself for nonstop flights. The closest major hub airport is Miami International (MIA) at 165 miles north.

How long is the drive from Miami airport to Key West?

4 hours direct via the Overseas Highway. With reasonable stops, plan 5-6 hours.

Is Uber available at Key West Airport?

Yes — Uber and Lyft both pick up at the blue curb outside Baggage Claim. Wait times typically 5-15 minutes; longer for late-night arrivals.

Can you fly into Key West from Europe?

No nonstop flights from Europe. International travelers connect through Miami International (MIA), then either fly American Airlines to Key West or take a Keys Shuttle van.

How early should I arrive at Key West Airport?

90 minutes before departure for domestic flights. Shorter than typical because security wait times rarely exceed 20 minutes.

What rental car companies are at Key West Airport?

On-airport: Avis, Budget, Hertz. Off-airport with shuttle: Alamo, Enterprise, National, Thrifty.

Is parking free at Key West Airport?

No. Short-term $1.50/half-hour, $20/24 hours. Long-term lower rates. Off-airport economy lots $8-12/day.

Does Key West Airport have international flights?

No — all flights are domestic (within the United States).

Can I take an Uber from Miami airport to Key West?

Technically yes but cost-prohibitive. Plan $400-700 one-way. Keys Shuttle ($50-85/person) or rental car are the practical options.

Final Thoughts

Key West Airport is one of America’s most pleasant small-airport experiences — quick in-and-out, palm-tree tarmac, casual atmosphere. For most leisure travelers, flying directly into EYW saves a full day each direction versus the Miami-and-drive option, justifying the typical $100-300 fare premium. Confirm your airline’s nonstop schedule (Allegiant flies 2-3 days per week per route; Silver routes are volatile), book hotel shuttles ahead of arrival to skip Uber wait times, and consider skipping the rental car entirely since Key West is small and walkable. Arrive 90 minutes before departure for domestic flights and you’ll be at your gate with plenty of time for a Conch Republic Bar drink before boarding. And if fares look punishing in either direction, the Key West Express ferry from Fort Myers Beach is the one non-driving alternative worth pricing.

For more on planning, see our complete getting to Key West pillar guide, our drive to Key West Overseas Highway guide, our where to stay guide, our vacation planning guide, and our best time to visit guide.