Global Black Voices: News from around the World
- Spirit Airlines launches nonstop service between FLL and EYW starting Nov. 6, 2025.
- Initial schedule: four weekly flights, expanding to daily service on December 18 for the holidays.
- Offers a fast, affordable alternative to the traffic-choked drive and seven-mile bridge route.
- Introduces Key West as Spirit’s eighth Florida destination, joining Orlando, Miami, Tampa, and Pensacola.
- Introductory fares start at $79 one way, enabling easy one-stop connections from major U.S. cities.
Key West is pastel porches, coral reefs, rum-soaked sunsets and streets humming with live music and roosters. And for the first time ever, travelers will be able to fly nonstop from Fort Lauderdale to the southernmost city in the continental United States. Spirit Airlines is launching direct service between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Key West International Airport (EYW), starting Nov. 6, 2025 — turning the famously scenic but often traffic-choked drive into a smooth, less-than-an-hour-long flight.
It’s the only nonstop service between the two cities, and it promises to change how Floridians — and travelers across the country — explore the Keys.
From Las Olas to Duval Street in a Flash
You know the drive. It can be beautiful, but it can also be long. Now there’s a shortcut — and it flies. Spirit’s new service between Fort Lauderdale and Key West starts with four flights a week (Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday) and expands to daily service just in time for the holidays, on December 18.
The new route means easy access to one of America’s most iconic beach towns — no rental car, no traffic, no seven-mile bridge (okay, so maybe you’ll miss that part).
A Big Move for the Keys
“This is fantastic news for our passengers near and far,” said Richard Strickland, Executive Director of Airports at Key West International Airport. “We welcome this addition to our selection of carriers and greatly anticipate access to Spirit’s expansive network of destinations.”
It’s a meaningful expansion for both ends of the route. For Key West locals, the new service provides a fast, affordable connection to the mainland. For travelers in South Florida — and those connecting through Fort Lauderdale — it unlocks spontaneous escapes to the Conch Republic.
And for Spirit, it marks a milestone: Key West becomes the airline’s eighth destination in Florida, joining hubs like Orlando, Miami, Tampa and Pensacola.
The Full Spirit Network, Now With Key West
“Key West is a one-of-a-kind beach destination, and now travelers can easily access this island paradise and enjoy Spirit’s elevated Guest experience along the way,” said John Kirby, Vice President of Network Planning at Spirit Airlines.
With introductory fares starting at $79 one way, Spirit is positioning the route as an affordable alternative to road tripping — while giving travelers from major cities like New York, Chicago, Houston and Atlanta seamless access via one-stop connections through Fort Lauderdale.
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