Island Time

A new airport terminal delivers world-class service to Key West

- STORY BY CHRIS SLOAN

THE FLORIDA KEYS have always held a magnetic pull—a far-flung island chain laced with tropical allure, literary heritage, coral-reef diving and a devil-may-care spirit that seduced Hemingway, Buffett and generations of sunseekers. But in recent years, Key West, the southernmost city in the continental United States, has undergone a quiet transformation. What was once a quirky, sun-bleached bohemian hideaway is now a rising luxury travel destination—with high-end resorts, elevated dining and a booming market in upscale second homes and boutique properties. Importantly, Key West hasn't lost its soul: The roosters still strut through town, and the Conch Republic spirit remains alive and well.

A Big Upgrade for a Small Airport

As the region leaned into premium travel, one glaring gap remained: the airport. Key West International Airport (EYW)—famously the birthplace of Pan Am and the site of the first scheduled international flight between the U.S. and Havana—was anything but world-class. Its low-slung 1950s terminal was charming in a retro way, with passengers walking directly onto the ramp, but it was also overcrowded, not air-conditioned and woefully outdated.