Coming soon: Direct flights to Key West from DC and New York
It will soon become a whole lot easier to travel to the South Florida resort city of Key West. It was announced yesterday that beginning Saturday, Dec. 22, visitors can fly nonstop between Key West and both Washington, D.C. and New York City, when US Airways and Delta Airlines expand seasonal service to the Florida Keys.
“This expansion of service reflects the airlines’ confidence in the Key West market and in Key West International Airport,” said Peter Horton, Florida Keys director of airports. “We are very excited about both airlines’ new flights and new destinations.”
Delta Airlines will offer direct flights between New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Key West (EYW) on Dec. 22 and 29, 2012; Jan. 5, 2013, and each Saturday from March 2 through April 6, 2013.
Travelers will fly on 124-passenger Boeing 737-700W jets, with one arriving flight and one departing flight on each scheduled date. The 1,211-mile flight will be the longest commercial route ever to serve Key West according to Horton.
Nonstop US Airways flights between Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Key West are to be offered daily from Dec. 22, 2012, through Jan. 5, 2013, and then continue on a Saturday-only basis through April.
Flights are scheduled for afternoon arrivals and departures, with travelers flying on 75-passenger Embraer 170 jets.
The new airlift plans come on the heals of Southwest’s recent announcement that it plans to offer daily flight service between New Orleans (MSY) and Key West beginning March 9, 2013, using Boeing 737 aircraft. The airline, which is currently in process of completing its merger with AirTran, will also offer one-stop service from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) to Key West, stopping in Miami or Tampa.
“It’s time the airlines realize that [Key West] is a world renowned destination and better serve their customers with direct flights from major cities,” said Steve Smith, Sales Manager LGBT Markets, Florida Keys & Key West. “Some carriers still look at Key West as a ‘seasonal’ destination, but that changed years ago. We are a year-round vacation spot.”
Key West ranks as a top destination for LGBT travelers. Additional information on visit is available at www.gaykeywestfl.com.
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