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, all in a concourse that opened in April 2025. One terminal of connected buildings. A single security line. The walk from gate to curb is a short one. Palm trees line the tarmac. The whole airport served about 1.5 million passengers in 2025. This compact scale is the airport’s primary feature. 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.

You will find the complete airline list (American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Allegiant, Breeze), every nonstop route from EYW, on-airport vs off-airport rental car details, current parking pricing, rideshare pickup locations, hotel shuttle list, the Keys Shuttle service, and an honest comparison with flying into Miami International Airport (MIA, about 158 miles north by road, roughly 3-4 hours) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL, farther still, about 4.5 hours by shuttle).

§ 01

Quick Facts About Key West Airport

Official name: Key West International Airport.
IATA code: EYW.
ICAO code: KEYW.
Annual passengers: ~1.5 million (2025).
Owner: Monroe County, Florida.
Distance from Old Town: A short drive; the airport is on the island at 3491 South Roosevelt Boulevard.
Newest concourse: Concourse A, opened April 2025.
Single runway: 9/27, 5,076 feet.

§ 02

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).

Strong for: Mid-size US cities without legacy carrier nonstop service. Allegiant’s schedules vary by route and season, so confirm the days you need before you book.

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.

§ 03

All Nonstop Destinations from EYW

Nonstop domestic destinations by region:

Florida: Miami (MIA), Tampa (TPA), Orlando (MCO/SFB), 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), Akron-Canton (CAK).

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

Southeast secondary: Knoxville (TYS).

§ 04

Airport Layout and Facilities

One terminal of connected buildings:

Ground level: Baggage claim, rental car desks, ground transportation curb.

Concourse A (opened April 2025): The departure concourse, with all eight gates and air-conditioned glass passenger boarding bridges.

Number of gates: 8.

Security: Single TSA checkpoint. TSA Pre-Check available certain hours. Follow your airline’s advice on when to arrive.

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: Contact details are on the passenger information page at eyw.com.

§ 05

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 ground transportation 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. In Old Town, the city’s Old Town Garage on Grinnell Street charges $6 an hour and the Mallory Square lot $7, each with a $48 daily maximum. 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.

§ 06

Ground Transportation

Uber and Lyft

Pickup location: The ground transportation curb outside Arrivals/Baggage Claim; follow the signs.

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

Wait times: Check live driver availability in the app when you land.

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, Faro Blanco Resort, Curio by Hilton in Marathon (with longer drive), Casa Marina Key West (paid concierge service), Sheraton Key West.

Pickup: The ground transportation curb outside Arrivals/Bag Claim. 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: Three daily departures from Key West to MIA/FLL (5:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.) and four from Miami International to Key West (11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.).
Capacity: 12-passenger vans.
Pricing: $175 per person one way between Miami International and Key West, the base fare before holiday and seasonal rates.
Reservation: Book ahead at keysshuttle.com or 305-289-9997.

Greyhound Bus

Long-haul bus service between Miami and Key West. Fares start from $24.98, and the fastest trip takes about 4 hours 30 minutes; prices and times depend on the departure you pick.

§ 07

Parking at Key West Airport

Short-term parking: First 30 minutes free, $3 for 31-60 minutes, $22 daily maximum after four hours.

Long-term parking: Garage, $27 daily maximum.

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.

§ 08

Alternative Airports: Miami vs Fort Lauderdale vs EYW

Miami International Airport (MIA)

Distance from Key West: ~158 miles, about 3-4 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: A long drive down the Overseas Highway 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: Farther than Miami; about 4.5 hours by shuttle.

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: Short 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.

§ 09

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 just back from the Atlantic shore. Salt air is noticeable.

Fast in-and-out: Gates, baggage claim and the curb are all close together, and there is just one security checkpoint.

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.

§ 10

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.

§ 11

Frequently Asked Questions

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’s days vary by route and season), 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, earlier if your airline asks. 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.

Picking up a rental car at the airport out of habit is one of the most common and most expensive Key West mistakes. Our guide to whether you need a car in Key West explains when to skip it, when to rent for just one day, and how to get from the terminal to Old Town without one.