Southwest Rapid Rewards - Key West service begins Nov. 4, 2012

Southwest to begins service to Keywest, FL with one daily nonstop from Tampa and Orlando.

Services starts Sunday November 4, 2012. And yes, it's on Southwest medal, not AirTran.

Also, service to begins to Akron and Dayton, OH on August 12th and
Des Moines, IA on September 30th.

DSM to what cities?

DSM to what cities?

Des Moines to Chicago Midway

Akron to Chicago and Denver

Dayton to Denver

Key West to Tampa and Orlando

Wish they'd do a Key West to Las Vegas.... (hey a girl can dream!)

Wish they'd do a Key West to Las Vegas.... (hey a girl can dream!)

That could happen, albeit only by the powers-that-be making the nearby Naval Air Station (NQX, Boca Chica Field) a "joint-use" airport, like CHS, BLV, ABQ, and YUM (now NYL, actually)) are already. With a 10,000 foot runway at NQX and being so close to sea level, NQX-LAS non-stop would be quite easy.

I'd have to jump in Mr. Peabody's Wayback Machine to recall exactly when it was, but there was some talk of this eons ago, especially since when airlines used to run hurricane evacuation flights, they did so (including some widebodies) out of NQX, and not EYW.

Wish they'd do a Key West to Las Vegas.... (hey a girl can dream!)

No, apparently not. Because it was very short runway and they won't start to LAS. Due to weight restricted. The runway is just only 4,800 length feet.

That could happen, albeit only by the powers-that-be making the nearby Naval Air Station (NQX, Boca Chica Field) a "joint-use" airport, like CHS, BLV, ABQ, and YUM (now NYL, actually)) are already. With a 10,000 foot runway at NQX and being so close to sea level, NQX-LAS non-stop would be quite easy.

I'd have to jump in Mr. Peabody's Wayback Machine to recall exactly when it was, but there was some talk of this eons ago, especially since when airlines used to run hurricane evacuation flights, they did so (including some widebodies) out of NQX, and not EYW.

Some things just make too much sense for government officials to approve them. :D

I think Marathon (MTH) has a longer runway, plus it's a central keys location. That would make me even happier! Yes MTH to LAS. That would be perfection!

I think Marathon (MTH) has a longer runway, plus it's a central keys location. That would make me even happier! Yes MTH to LAS. That would be perfection!

Well, yeah, technically, it is indeed longer, but that extra 207 feet (MTH- 5,008 vs EYW 4,801) still won't get an airliner from the Keys non-stop to LAS... So sorry... ;)

http://www.airnav.com/airport/KEYW

http://www.airnav.com/airport/KMTH

Some things just make too much sense for government officials to approve them. :D

Oh, I hear you... ;)

I really hope they are considering an ATL to Key west route. That would be the bomb

Well, yeah, technically, it is indeed longer, but that extra 207 feet (MTH- 5,008 vs EYW 4,801) still won't get an airliner from the Keys non-stop to LAS... So sorry... ;)

http://www.airnav.com/airport/KEYW

http://www.airnav.com/airport/KMTH

Yes, OPNLGuy is right. They won't allowed it. Due to weight restrictions. Because the runway is very tight. They cannot get a fully loaded. It won't go. Only where another airport who does have a longer runway. Only FLL, MIA, MCO, TPA, PBI does have a longer runway.

I really hope they are considering an ATL to Key west route. That would be the bomb

DL was running larger aircraft from ATL into EYW last year but I didn't see any landing this year.. likely too many problems with fuel load/dispatch probably made them rethink and just schedule more RJs. I didn't see any US larger aircraft landing this year either. Though it was less travelled May and I wasn't really paying attention. I did spend a lot of pool time under the approach path.

ATL-TPA-EYW or ATL-MCO-EYW through flights with 30 minutes on the ground would be the next best option. With WN's possible connections in TPA and MCO to darn near everywhere they fly that should ensure full EYW flights. And probably why they're grabbing up EYW so soon.

That could happen, albeit only by the powers-that-be making the nearby Naval Air Station (NQX, Boca Chica Field) a "joint-use" airport, like CHS, BLV, ABQ, and YUM (now NYL, actually)) are already. With a 10,000 foot runway at NQX and being so close to sea level, NQX-LAS non-stop would be quite easy.

Add MCO to the list albeit formerly joint use cold war pre Disney explosion. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_International_Airport

If demand justifies it I wouldn't rule out NQX someday going joint use... Increasing vistors and freeing up the land EYW occupies for development. Land in Key West is very expensive and the government has to have a hard time justifying expenses of NQX in this economy and fiscal environment.

Anyone know if there are plans to add more flights to Key West? With the departure times out of TPA and MCO being before 1pm, it is simply not possible to depart from the west coast and make a connecting flight the same day. For example, EYW to SAN is possible with 2 connections, but the reverse is not true.

Anyone know if there are plans to add more flights to Key West? With the departure times out of TPA and MCO being before 1pm, it is simply not possible to depart from the west coast and make a connecting flight the same day. For example, EYW to SAN is possible with 2 connections, but the reverse is not true.

I've seen "rumors" posted either here or airliners that said that the plan is eventually 4x total (2x TPA, 2x MCO). Hopefully that should be able to create adequate flight possibilities for most people - even from here in HOU the the only option out is a two stopper even though we have NS service to both TPA and MCO.

DL was running larger aircraft from ATL into EYW last year but I didn't see any landing this year.. likely too many problems with fuel load/dispatch probably made them rethink and just schedule more RJs. I didn't see any US larger aircraft landing this year either. Though it was less travelled May and I wasn't really paying attention. I did spend a lot of pool time under the approach path.

May I ask a quick question for you? What about 1 free checked bags to EYW. Because they cannot accepted more than 2 checked bags. Due to weight restrictions. WN won't have more than 2 checked bags. Only 1 checked bag pre-customer.

DL was running larger aircraft from ATL into EYW last year but I didn't see any landing this year.. likely too many problems with fuel load/dispatch probably made them rethink and just schedule more RJs. I didn't see any US larger aircraft landing this year either. Though it was less travelled May and I wasn't really paying attention. I did spend a lot of pool time under the approach path.

ATL-TPA-EYW or ATL-MCO-EYW through flights with 30 minutes on the ground would be the next best option. With WN's possible connections in TPA and MCO to darn near everywhere they fly that should ensure full EYW flights. And probably why they're grabbing up EYW so soon.

Delta is still flying EYW-ATL with B737-700 aircraft.

And AirTran continues to operate B737-700 flights as well EYW-TPA and EYW-MCO which means that Southwest will simply be replacing these flights with their metal.

And AirTran continues to operate B737-700 flights as well EYW-TPA and EYW-MCO which means that Southwest will simply be replacing these flights with their metal.

Right. There was no implication in this thread otherwise.

Anyone know if there are plans to add more flights to Key West? With the departure times out of TPA and MCO being before 1pm, it is simply not possible to depart from the west coast and make a connecting flight the same day. For example, EYW to SAN is possible with 2 connections, but the reverse is not true.

The times are kind of inherited. I assume they'll be looking at maximizing connections. Though a much later flight in would mean a later flight out having even fewer connects.

Hmm.. maybe overnighting an aircraft in EYW would work.... later in, mid morning out.

In the meantime Tampa overnight isn't bad with places like Crabby Bill's located at a hotel that shuttles to/from the airport.

In the meantime Tampa overnight isn't bad with places like Crabby Bill's located at a hotel that shuttles to/from the airport.

Except when they have 15" of rain. Like this week.

In the meantime Tampa overnight isn't bad with places like Crabby Bill's located at a hotel that shuttles to/from the airport.
Alas, unlike some airlines, WN has no last in/first out connecting flight rule. Overnight anywhere requires separate fares.

Alas, unlike some airlines, WN has no last in/first out connecting flight rule. Overnight anywhere requires separate fares.

Time will tell... with the new larger WN/FL (mainly West) route network maybe they could overnight an aircraft in EYW someday. Crews might not complain ;)

Or redeyes...

I know WN doesn't do redeyes with their current Pilot's contract. Something I really think the Pilots union should reconsider. It's something that can maximize use of aircraft for the overall good. Some redeye routes are extremely popular and profitable. Redeyes offer connections to the extremes of the route maps and eventually going international that could mean big potential from both coasts.

May I ask a quick question for you? What about 1 free checked bags to EYW. Because they cannot accepted more than 2 checked bags. Due to weight restrictions. WN won't have more than 2 checked bags. Only 1 checked bag pre-customer.

EYW is primarily a casual dress down destination.. It's a Carribean like flip-flips and things you might not wear other places kind of place. I can't imagine baggage loads to EYW *ever* being an issue.

Dive gear is not known for being light.

Dive gear is not known for being light.

I'm also a diver... My regulators (only if expecting a deeper dive where I might not trust rental gear), shorty wet suit, mask, fins and snorkel are the most I would travel with to EYW. It's still light stuff.

I'd still be under one bag/50lbs for a full two weeks easily.

Bringing back this thread to share my WN experience departing EYW earlier today. Something I had never seen before in my WN travels, for sure.

Check-in and security are what they are in a small airport that offers no fly-by benefits for A-list, yet also is nearly exclusively vacationers who probably don't fly much and undoubtedly some are still drunk from the previous night. Currently there are three WN flights to/from EYW daily and each is spaced by roughly 1 hour. Arriving T-1.5 hours to the middle flight took about 25 minutes from the curb to the gate.

Like I mentioned above, the three flights are scheduled to be approximately 1 hour apart from each other. The first inbound (3054 from MCO) arrived 80 minutes late and the second inbound (1977 from TPA) arrived 20 minutes late but both landed just three minutes apart from each other. Despite no other commercial aircraft at the airport at the time, apparently WN has just one parking spot they are allowed to use and 1977 couldn't park "at the gate" until after the MCO flight had disembarked, then loaded the outbound MCO, and left the gate. The folks on 1977 had to sit on the plane for 35 minutes after arrival while watching the MCO plane unload and reload.

Then, the third inbound flight (456 from MSY) arrives 20 minutes after the Florida arrivals. The attached photo was taken while MSY was landing, outbound MCO was loading, and inbound TPA was waiting to disembark. The poor folks inbound from MSY thought they were getting to EYW about 15 minutes early, only to have to watch MCO finish loading, then inbound TPA disembark & outbound TPA load before finally starting their vacation, 52 minutes after landing.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jaWwmQTbgHA/UUlEwh_xrKI/AAAAAAAAICk/5gf2-Nm3S6g/s640/P1030450.JPG

Anyone who has been inside the EYW departure lounge knows that it is barely large enough to hold one 737 of passengers...just imagine all 350ish WN pax for all three outbounds in there at the same time. The gate agent was so busy working on rebookings for outbound pax who would miss tight connections at MCO and TPA that she never announced what was going on--a lot of people were really confused as they never actually announced delays on any of the three outbounds. Of course 15 minutes after scheduled departure time for outbound TPA, the terminal finally filled with the sounds of 75 cell phones receiving the TXT or call with the status update.

That gate agent spent nearly an hour rebooking the 50 pax on outbound TPA who had a very short connection in TPA to BWI. After she had finished, she received a call, and then a very frustrated look on her face appeared, followed by an announcement that TPA was going to hold the BWI flight and for everyone to come back to get rebooked on it!

Definitely an interesting day in paradise for the WN staff and passengers.

Hey, its Key West, you just have to roll with it.

Was there 2 weeks ago with my 2 college age daughters complements of WN points. Was delayed about 20 minutes disembarking due to rain & lightening. Loved walking down the stairs and across the ramp. The luggage area was a zoo since a Delta & USAir flight had just landed too.

Alcohol helps for sure upon arrival, even departing and definitely hungover. Made the mistake of arriving TOO early for the ride home as I figured Fly By, Sky Caps and Express drops where no where to be found (true) but the longest delay was baggage check in

Take off and landings were super cool, being a pilot who actually landed a 2 seater there a few years ago. Loved the full power run up before the brakes were released for take off (short runway take off procedure). Amazing how these guys can get a fully loaded 737 in and out of there so routinely.

For one, I was amazed at how the tiny airport and town handles the crowds so well without the overwhelming feeling of being in a tourist trap.

I for one, am grateful WN gave me this option out of ISP, the only positive thing they've done lately...

I take that the loads on both of your flights were quite high? Otherwise, sounds like they should space out the flights a bit.

I take that the loads on both of your flights were quite high? Otherwise, sounds like they should space out the flights a bit.

Full or within a few seats of being on both in / out bound flights. And this was the week BEFORE real Spring Break started.

I think everyone wants to arrive as early as possible in the day (for a fuller 1st day) hence the early morning flights (I started at 6:30am Sunday out of ISP). And of course WN wants those flights turned around and filled immediately, hence the late morning departures. Add the other airlines doing the same and its just amazing how the airport & town pull it off.

Thanks for the update on EYW. I am headed to Key West in late April, actually decided to fly into FLL and rent a convertible and enjoy the drive down instead of flying into EYW.

Thanks for the update on EYW. I am headed to Key West in late April, actually decided to fly into FLL and rent a convertible and enjoy the drive down instead of flying into EYW.

Should be grate. Just do the research and note the warnings of potential massive traffic jams at times. I rented a car from EYW and drove about 1 1/2 hours to Marathon key to visit dolphins. No issues on a Wednesday mid day trip though...

I take the direct flight from ISP to FLL a few times a year. My house is in Marathon. It takes 2.5 hours to drive home and the direct flight from ISP is a breeze. I never get tired of the ride down the scenery is off the charts. Be sure to stop at Robbie's and feed the tarpon, have some lunch or a beer and get used to island living. If you want to drive like a local take Card Sound Road after Florida City. Much more peaceful but there is a $1.00 toll which I am happy to pay.