You’re standing in the middle of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), and you’ve got a choice. You could rent a car, spend four hours fighting traffic on the Overseas Highway, and pray that a tractor-trailer doesn't jackknife on a two-lane bridge in Islamorada. Or, you could just hop on one of the fort lauderdale to key west flights and be sipping a rum runner on Duval Street before the drive-and-park crowd even hits the Seven Mile Bridge.
It sounds like a no-brainer. But flying to the Southernmost Point isn't always as simple as booking a ticket on a massive jet.
Actually, it's kinda weird. Most people assume they’ll be on a 737 with a Biscoff cookie and a window view of the clouds. In reality, this route is a mix of "puddle jumpers," high-end regional jets, and some of the most stunning low-altitude scenery you'll ever see in your life. If you do it right, it’s the highlight of the trip. If you do it wrong, you’re stuck in a terminal for six hours because of a "mechanical delay" on a plane that only seats nine people.
The Reality of the "Short Hop"
Let’s talk logistics. The distance between FLL and EYW (Key West International) is roughly 130 miles. That’s nothing. Honestly, the plane spends more time taxiing and climbing than it does at cruising altitude.
Silver Airways is the big player here. They’ve basically cornered the market on regional Caribbean and Florida hops. You’ll usually see them operating the ATR 42 or ATR 72. These are turboprops. Yes, they have propellers. No, they aren't "unsafe" because they look like something out of a 1950s movie. In fact, turboprops are incredibly efficient for these short distances. They fly lower than big jets, which is actually a massive bonus for you. Why? Because at 10,000 feet, the Florida Reef and the turquoise patches of the backcountry look like a National Geographic spread.
United and JetBlue often codeshare with Silver, so you might book through a major carrier but end up on a pink-and-white Silver plane.
Then there’s Aztec Airways. They operate out of the FXE (Fort Lauderdale Executive) airport, not the big international one. This is a totally different vibe. You’re talking about small, nine-passenger Cessna Caravans. There’s no TSA line. You walk up, they weigh your bags, and you get on. It feels like private travel without the $10,000 price tag. But—and this is a big "but"—if you have a fear of small planes, this will probably be the longest 50 minutes of your life.
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Why Do People Still Drive?
It’s the price. Usually.
A flight can range anywhere from $120 to $450 round trip depending on the season. During Fantasy Fest in October or the boat races in November, prices go vertical. If you’re a family of four, the math starts to look ugly compared to a $60-a-day rental car.
But time is the real currency.
The drive from Fort Lauderdale to Key West is famous, sure. But once you’ve done it twice, the novelty of the "Alligator Alley" or the slow crawl through Marathon wears off. You lose an entire day of your vacation to the road. Flights from Fort Lauderdale to Key West turn an eight-hour round-trip ordeal into a cumulative two hours of travel.
Navigating Key West International (EYW)
When you land, don't expect a sprawling metropolis. EYW is small. Refreshingly small.
The runway is notoriously short—roughly 5,076 feet. For context, most major international runways are over 8,000 or 10,000 feet. This means pilots have to be precise. You’ll feel the brakes. Hard. It’s a bit of a rush, actually.
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The airport recently underwent a massive expansion (Concourse A) to handle the influx of travelers, but it still maintains that "Old Florida" charm. You can walk from your gate to the Uber pickup in about four minutes. You won't find that at MIA or MCO.
Baggage and Weight: The Secret Struggle
Here is something the booking sites won't emphasize: weight matters. On these smaller regional aircraft, they are incredibly strict about "weight and balance."
If the flight is full and it’s a particularly hot day (which is every day in Florida), the air is less dense. This affects lift. Sometimes, the airline has to leave bags behind to keep the plane light enough to take off safely from that short runway. If you’re flying a turboprop, try to travel light. If your bag gets bumped, it might not arrive until the next flight, which could be four hours later or even the next day.
Pack a swimsuit and your meds in your carry-on. Just in case.
The Weather Factor
Florida weather is predictable until it isn't.
Summer afternoon thunderstorms are a guarantee. These aren't just rain showers; they are massive, towering cumulonimbus clouds that reach 40,000 feet. While a big Delta jet can fly over or around them, a small turboprop might have to sit on the tarmac and wait.
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If you’re booking a flight, try for the morning. Before 11:00 AM, the atmosphere is generally stable. By 3:00 PM, the "sea breeze front" kicks in, and things get bumpy. Plus, if your morning flight is canceled, you have all day to find a workaround. If the last flight of the night is canceled, you’re sleeping in Fort Lauderdale.
The "Executive" Alternative
I mentioned Aztec Airways earlier, and it’s worth a deeper look if you hate crowds.
Flying out of Fort Lauderdale Executive (FXE) means you avoid the chaos of FLL. No lines. Free parking. It’s located about 20 minutes north of the main international airport. For locals or people staying in Boca or Pompano, it's a godsend.
The views from a Cessna at 3,000 feet are unparalleled. You can see sharks in the shallows and the distinct line where the deep blue Gulf Stream meets the reef. It’s an aerial tour that happens to get you to your destination.
Booking Smart
Don't just look at Expedia.
Check the airline websites directly. Silver Airways often has "Web Only" specials that don't propagate to the big search engines. Also, look at the "hidden city" or multi-city booking options. Sometimes, flying from a different North Florida city through FLL to Key West is weirdly cheaper than just the FLL to EYW leg. Airlines are weird like that.
A Quick Reality Check
- The Noise: Turboprops are louder than jets. If you have noise-canceling headphones, use them.
- The Ride: It can be "sporty." You’ll feel the wind and the thermals more than you would in a heavy aircraft.
- The Perks: There are no first-class cabins on these routes. You’re all in it together.
Taking Action: Your Key West Strategy
If you're ready to trade the steering wheel for a boarding pass, here is exactly how to execute the trip without the headaches.
- Audit your timing. If you are landing at FLL on an international flight, give yourself at least three hours of "buffer" before your Key West connection. FLL customs can be a nightmare, and the regional gates (often in Terminal 1 or 3) are a hike from the international arrivals.
- Book the right side of the plane. On the way down from Fort Lauderdale, sit on the right side (Seat F on most Silver planes). You’ll have a front-row seat to the coastline and the islands as you descend. On the way back up, sit on the left.
- Verify the airport code. Ensure you are flying into EYW. Some charter services might try to sell you "Key West area" flights that land in Marathon (MTH), which is still an hour's drive away from the actual city of Key West.
- Check the tail number. If you’re a nervous flyer, use a site like FlightAware a few days before your trip to see what aircraft is consistently flying your route. It helps to visualize what you’re stepping onto before you get to the gate.
- Skip the rental car at the airport. Key West is a 2x4 mile island. You don't need a car. You need a bicycle or a golf cart. Once you land at EYW, grab a cab or an Uber to your hotel and forget that traffic ever existed.
Choosing between the drive and the flight is ultimately a choice between a road trip and a time-saver. If you've never seen the Keys from the air, the flight isn't just transportation—it's the first excursion of your vacation. Get the morning flight, pack light, and keep your camera out for the reef.