Key West’s Airport Just Got a $100 Million Glow-Up — Here’s What’s Inside

The Florida Keys have always held a magnetic pull — a far-flung island chain laced with tropical allure, literary legend, coral reef diving, and a devil-may-care spirit that seduced Hemingway, Buffett, and generations of sunseekers. But in recent years, the southernmost city in the continental United States has undergone a quiet transformation. What was once a quirky, sun-bleached bohemian hideaway is now a rising luxury travel destination — with high-end resorts, elevated dining, and a booming market in upscale second homes and boutique properties.

Photo: Courtesy of Monroe County Department of Airports

Importantly, the Keys haven’t lost their soul: the roosters still strut through town, and the Conch Republic spirit remains alive and well.

A Big Upgrade for a Small Airport

As the region leaned into premium travel, one glaring gap remained: the airport.

Key West International Airport (EYW) — famously the birthplace of Pan Am and the site of the first scheduled international flight between the U.S. and Havana — was anything but world-class. Its low-slung 1950s terminal was charming in a retro way, with passengers walking directly onto the ramp, but it was also overcrowded, unairconditioned, and woefully outdated.

Photo: Courtesy of Chris Sloan

That chapter ended on April 14, 2025, with the soft launch of a sleek new terminal, culminating in a grand opening on May 20.

The $100 million facility — the most expensive infrastructure project in Monroe County history — marks a dramatic leap forward.

Design for the Tropics, Built for Resilience

Designed for aesthetics and resilience, it features 48,802 square feet of soaring space, cathedral ceilings, and 446 electrochromic glass panels that automatically tint to reduce solar heat while letting in abundant natural light.

The glass is engineered to withstand Category 5 hurricane winds up to 200 mph. A dot pattern deters bird strikes, though it slightly obscures photography — a small price for preserving local wildlife.

Photo: Courtesy of Chris Sloan

The terminal includes eight gates, each with fully enclosed, air-conditioned glass jet bridges — the first ever in the Florida Keys. While many travelers fondly recall walking across the tarmac to board with the scent of salt air in their lungs, they also remember the broiling sun, sudden downpours, and limited accessibility.

Photo: Courtesy of Monroe County Department of Airports

Inside, every gate features powered seating with AC outlets, USB ports, and stand-up worktables for productivity on the go. Coral blue carpeting and terrazzo floors evoke the surrounding ocean. Restrooms are spacious and stylish, finished with marble, and fully touchless.

Photo: Courtesy of Monroe County Department of Airports

Dining options include Southern Point Bar, a grab-and-go market, Chili’s, and the beloved Conch Flyer — a local fixture dating to the golden age of Keys aviation. There are currently no lounges, unfortunately.

Photo: Courtesy of Keys Weekly Newspapers

Some locals say the terminal, while sleek and bright, lacks the unmistakable Keys character. Airport officials say plans are in motion to incorporate more tropical design elements and local artwork in the near future.

Phase Two: Arrivals Get Their Turn in 2026

What’s missing is on the arrivals side — at least for now. While departures flow through the new terminal, inbound passengers still experience the old baggage claim and security checkpoint. That will change by summer 2026, when upgrades will deliver a new four-lane TSA checkpoint, an expanded arrivals hall, a modern baggage system, and an updated First Call Bar.

Photo: Key West City and Monroe County Officials, and dignitaries cut the ribbon, the official dedication of the new Concourse at Key West International Airport on Tuesday, May 20. Courtesy of Chris Sloan

EYW now serves not just Key West, but the Lower and Middle Keys, about halfway up the island chain. Its main competition? The iconic Overseas Highway — a narrow two-lane ribbon of pavement linking 113 miles of islands across 42 bridges, including the world-famous Seven Mile Bridge.

While stunning, the route can be notoriously congested. Diverting more travelers to fly directly into EYW could relieve pressure on this vital artery.

Key West Is Now a Real Air Travel Hub

In 2024, the airport handled 1.5 million passengers — a nearly 80% increase in seat capacity since 2019. With 96% of passengers being visitors, Key West is firmly in the premium leisure spotlight. The airport offers up to 200 peak weekly departures to 19 destinations, including New York, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Washington D.C.

Photo: Courtesy of Monroe County Department of Airports

Airlines include American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Allegiant, Silver Airways, and newcomer Breeze Airways, which launches June 12 with nonstop service to Orlando, Tampa, and Raleigh-Durham.

While Silver’s ATR turboprops remain, they’re now outnumbered by larger jets, including Airbus A319s, Boeing 737-700s, Embraer E175s, and A220-300s — underscoring EYW’s growing role as a serious air travel hub.

The Keys still have their quirky charm, but now the airport finally matches the destination: world-class, hurricane-resilient, and ready for what’s next.