Florida's ultra-low-cost carrier is shrinking the Sunshine State once again. Starting November 6, 2025, Spirit Airlines will connect Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) with Key West International Airport (EYW) four days a week, ramping up to daily service on December 18. The route gives travelers a 40-minute hop that replaces a 190-mile drive down U.S. 1, while Key West gains its first link to Spirit's network and the broad connections available through the carrier's FLL hub. Introductory one-way fares begin at $79, and three fare bundles-Spirit First, Premium Economy, and Value-let passengers pick their level of comfort and inclusions.
Key Points
- Why it matters: trims a four-hour drive to an hour-long gate-to-gate trip.
- Launch date: November 6 (4x weekly), daily from December 18.
- Aircraft: Airbus A320 family, 182-228 seats.
- Intro fare: $79 one-way, limited availability.
- Bundles: Spirit First, Premium Economy, Value.
- Eighth Florida destination in the airline's network.
Snapshot
The new flight becomes the only nonstop between FLL and EYW, operating Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday through mid-December, then daily for the holiday season and beyond. Departures are timed for easy same-day connections onward to Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, New York, and more via Spirit's Fort Lauderdale focus city. For Keys residents, the service opens a fast channel to South Florida's Cruise terminals, business districts, and international gateway flights. Travelers booking early can lock in the $79 fare, though Spirit reminds passengers that add-ons such as seats and bags price separately under its à-la-carte model.
Background
Key West International's 5,076-foot runway limits service to mainline jets with strong short-field performance; until now, most nonstop options have been regional carriers or seasonal flights. Spirit's move follows a gradual up-gauging trend that has seen larger Airbus A220s and 737-700s test the market successfully. With Fort Lauderdale already hosting dozens of daily Spirit departures, the airline can funnel inbound visitors to the Lower Keys while offering locals single-stop connectivity to more than 30 U.S. cities. The expansion also cements Spirit's role as the dominant budget carrier in Florida, joining Orlando, Tampa, Miami, and others already in its portfolio. Spirit Airlines has signaled that additional intra-Florida routes could follow if this short hop performs well.
Latest Developments
Schedule and Fleet Details
Spirit will initially fly the route with 182-seat Airbus A320neos configured with 8 Big Front Seats and 174 standard seats. Flights leave Fort Lauderdale at 1040 a.m., arriving in Key West at 1135 a.m.; the return departs EYW at 1225 p.m., reaching FLL at 120 p.m. Daily service from December 18 will maintain similar mid-morning timings, facilitating onward afternoon connections. Travelers choosing the Spirit First bundle receive a Big Front Seat, two checked bags, priority boarding, complimentary drinks-including alcohol-and streaming Wi-Fi access.
Analysis
For leisure travelers, the Fort Lauderdale-Key West drive is famously scenic yet often congested, stretching well over four hours in peak season. Spirit's 55-minute block time slashes that to a fraction, turning weekend getaways into realistic two-night trips. The carrier's entry is likely to pressure incumbents Silver Airways and American Eagle on price, though Spirit targets a different demographic with its unbundled model. Key West tourism officials anticipate incremental visitor growth, but the larger economic impact may be outbound: locals will have cheaper, faster access to major medical centers, shopping, and Cruise departures in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. From Spirit's perspective, short hops can be fuel-intensive, yet the dense seating and low-fare elasticity may deliver industry-leading unit revenue. The move also diversifies Fort Lauderdale's route map after pandemic-era capacity shifts, aligning with Spirit's strategy of high-frequency, leisure-heavy flying in markets underserved by legacy carriers.
Final Thoughts
Spirit's new nonstop unlocks fresh possibilities for Floridians and visitors alike, trimming hours off a classic road trip and slotting Key West into the airline's vast network. If demand holds, the Fort Lauderdale-Key West flights could become a template for more intra-state links, underscoring how nimble scheduling and ultra-low-cost economics can reshape regional travel convenience. For now, travelers eager to trade the Overseas Highway for an aerial shortcut can start booking today and experience Spirit Airlines' Fort Lauderdale to Key West flights firsthand.