Key West’s New Airport Terminal Glides Into Service—No Tarmac Sprints Required

Flying into paradise just got a first-class makeover. Key West International Airport (EYW) has christened its gleaming 48,802-square-foot Concourse A, and the difference is night-and-day for anyone who’s ever lugged a suitcase across the sun-baked ramp or climbed those wobbly metal stairs.

Instead of sweaty treks, eight blissfully air-conditioned jet bridges now whisk passengers straight from gate to cabin. Floor-to-ceiling “smart” glass walls—engineered to flip from crystal-clear to shade-dark at the tap of a button and strong enough to shrug off 200 mph winds—flood the space with Keys sunshine without the roasting heat. Even the local wildlife scores an upgrade: tiny, bird-safe dots are baked into every pane so feathered friends don’t mistake reflections for open sky.

County Mayor Jim Scholl couldn’t hide his grin at Tuesday’s ribbon-cutting. “For years we’ve dreamed of a facility worthy of a world-class destination,” he told more than 100 guests. “Now travelers can start their vacation the moment they step off the plane—minus the humidity headache.”

Inside, the terminal feels more boutique resort than regional airport. Travelers can toast their arrival (or console themselves before departure) at a Chili’s bar, refuel at Starbucks, or grab locally sourced bites from the Farm2Air market. Gift shops, additional bars, mountains of comfy seating, laptop counters with power ports, free Wi-Fi, and marble-walled restrooms round out the perks—and more concessions are on the way.

Downstairs, crews are already swinging hammers on the next phase: a spacious baggage-claim lounge with new carousels to keep that island mood rolling all the way to the curb.

The timing couldn’t be better. EYW has shattered passenger records four years running, greeting over half a million flyers in the first quarter alone. Since 2019, available seats have soared 80 percent thanks to American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Allegiant, Silver, and Breeze, which now link the island to 20-plus cities from Boston to Dallas.

The $100 million facelift is funded by bonds, FAA and FDOT grants, passenger facility charges, and airport revenues—zero local tax dollars needed, notes airport communications director Katie Atkins.

So go ahead: book that flight, pack light, and let Key West’s shiny new gateway roll out the welcome mat. The sea breeze, sunset, and a frosty margarita are waiting just beyond the jet bridge. Adventure—like the runway—begins right here.