Key West fly-out from Fort Lauderdale: how to plan the trip
November 14, 2026
Key West International (EYW) is one of the classic South Florida fly-outs. From the Fort Lauderdale area it is roughly 120 to 135 nautical miles in a straight line, depending on the departure field (Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International about 126 nm, Fort Lauderdale Executive about 131 nm, North Perry about 120 nm, Pompano Beach about 135 nm, computed from OurAirports coordinates). In a typical four-seat piston airplane that is a comfortable single leg.
This guide pulls together what is published about the airport and its FBO, so you can plan the day. Everything below was checked on November 14, 2026. Airport data comes from the FAA Chart Supplement edition effective October 29 to December 24, 2026. Fees, fuel prices and hours change, so confirm them before you go.
This is a planning guide, not a flight plan. Always use current charts, check NOTAMs, get an official briefing and fly within your limits.
Route options
Down the island chain. The scenic option follows the Keys and the Overseas Highway southwest toward Marathon (MTH, about 40 nm east of Key West per AirNav) and on to Key West. It keeps land, roads and airports within reach for most of the trip, which matters in a single-engine airplane over water.
A more direct line. Cutting across Florida Bay is shorter but puts you over open water and the Everglades, with fewer places to land. Decide based on your airplane, your gliding distance at your planned altitude, and the survival gear you carry.
Leaving the Fort Lauderdale area, plan your altitudes and frequencies around the busy Miami-area airspace. The Chart Supplement points pilots to the Miami VFR Terminal Area Chart for suggested VFR flyway routes near Key West (FAA Chart Supplement).
Airport and airspace notes
From the FAA Chart Supplement entry for Key West Intl (FAA Chart Supplement; summary also on AirNav). Times below are converted to local time.
- One runway, 09/27: 5,076 x 100 ft, grooved asphalt. Runway 09 has a 275 ft displaced threshold, and the landing distance available is 4,801 ft in both directions. There is an engineered materials arresting system (EMAS) at both ends.
- Right traffic for Runway 09, left traffic for 27 (AirNav lists the pattern directions). PAPIs and REILs serve both ends.
- Tower and Class D: the tower operates about 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. local; the airspace is Class D during those hours and Class G at other times. Tower and CTAF 118.2, ground and clearance delivery 121.9, ATIS 119.675, UNICOM 122.95.
- Approach control: Navy Key West Approach/Departure on 124.025 from about 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local, and Miami Center on 133.5 at other times.
- Military jet traffic operates south and east of the airport from Naval Air Station Key West (Boca Chica Field, NQX), about 4 nm east. The Chart Supplement asks aircraft entering the traffic area from the southeast through west to enter the traffic area below 2,000 ft.
- Restricted area R-2916, 14 nm northeast of the airport, has a marked balloon and cable to 14,000 ft, with a strobe light. Know where it is on your route down the Keys.
- Parachute jumping is noted at the airport, and so are birds on and around the field.
- VFR departures: maintain runway heading until reaching the field boundary, then make an exact turn north or south.
- Noise: Key West is a noise-sensitive airport. The Chart Supplement lists no operations from about 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. local, with fines during those hours, NBAA noise-abatement procedures at other times, and engine run-ups in a designated area on Taxiway A between B10 and B11. The airport also publishes voluntary noise abatement procedures.
- Weather: ASOS by phone at (863) 244-0212, per the Chart Supplement and AirNav.
The FBO: Signature Aviation
Signature Aviation is the only FBO listed for Key West International on AirNav and on the airport’s own general aviation page.
- Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. local. After-hours call-out is available with 4 hours’ notice before 9 p.m., and call-out fees apply (Signature EYW).
- Contact: (305) 296-5422, UNICOM 122.95, 3471 S. Roosevelt Blvd. (Signature EYW).
- On site: Signature lists tie-downs, ramp and overnight hangar space, a passenger lounge, restrooms, courtesy crew transportation, car-rental and taxi services, and weather and flight-planning services (Signature EYW).
Fuel
- 100LL and Jet A are available at EYW (FAA Chart Supplement).
- On November 14, 2026, AirNav showed Signature’s full-service prices as $11.65 per gallon for 100LL and $11.365 for Jet A, including taxes; prices are “not guaranteed” (AirNav, Signature at KEYW). AirNav lists only full-service fuel at EYW.
- Fueling is during regular FBO hours, with after-hours call-out by prior arrangement and/or a call-out fee (AirNav, Signature at KEYW).
Landing, ramp/parking and facility fees
- Landing fee: the FAA’s airport record for EYW lists “Landing Fee: No” (FAA NFDC airport record). Charges for general aviation visitors are FBO charges.
- Handling, infrastructure (facility) and ramp/parking fees: Signature’s company-wide pricing page says that for single-engine pistons, light twins and heavy twins, handling and infrastructure fees still apply, along with ramp parking charges. Larger aircraft are moving to a single “Signature Access” parking charge. Piston aircraft are exempt from Signature’s special event fees (Signature Access). Signature’s handling charge policy says a facility fee applies to all aircraft, and a handling charge applies to aircraft that do not buy a minimum amount of fuel.
- The dollar amounts for EYW are not posted on the Signature Key West page or the airport’s site (checked November 14, 2026). Call the FBO for current fees for your aircraft type and length of stay, including the fuel purchase that waives or reduces the handling charge, and overnight parking or hangar rates. Signature says users can see user-specific pricing after signing in to its Signature Vision portal.
Weather timing
- Summer afternoons often bring thunderstorms that build quickly over the Keys and the mainland. Fly early and plan to be home before the storms, or plan to stay the night.
- Winter fronts can bring gusty northerly winds, which is a crosswind on an east-west runway.
- Before you go, type KEYW into the Pilot Lounge for the current METAR and TAF, and check Marathon (KMTH) and the Navy field (KNQX) too. Our guide to reading a TAF shows what to watch for.
- Daylight: in mid-November, sunset at Key West is about 5:40 p.m. local (AirNav sunrise/sunset table for November 14). A late departure home can turn into a night flight over water.
Getting into town
The airport sits about 2 miles east of the city, per the Chart Supplement, so Old Town and Duval Street are a short ride away. Signature lists car-rental, taxi and courtesy crew transportation services (Signature EYW). The airport’s website also has ground transportation pages covering taxis, rideshare and rental cars, and City of Key West public transit serves the area (listed on AirNav).
Make it a weekend
If storms or winds look marginal for the trip home, a night in Key West beats pressing on. Decide on your go/no-go time for the return flight before you leave home, and call the FBO ahead about overnight parking. Partner boxes for hotels, rental cars and travel insurance appear below this post only as placeholders until we join those programs; see our disclosure.
Pack for the ramp
Sun hat, water, sunscreen, a light jacket for the climb, a printed airport diagram, and a bag that keeps the tablet and headset out of the sun all make the day easier.
From our own shop (links go to the CrosswindBay store on Etsy):
- Sectional chart luggage cover: easy to spot on the ramp or at the carousel.
- Chart scarf: sun cover on the ramp, and a nice souvenir of the trip.
Sources
All checked November 14, 2026.
- FAA Chart Supplement, Southeast, Key West Intl (EYW) page, effective Oct. 29 to Dec. 24, 2026: https://aeronav.faa.gov/afd/29oct2026/se_125_29OCT2026.pdf
- FAA NFDC airport record, KEYW (effective Oct. 29 to Nov. 26, 2026): https://nfdc.faa.gov/nfdcApps/services/ajv5/airportDisplay.jsp?airportId=KEYW
- AirNav, KEYW Key West International Airport (FAA information effective Oct. 29, 2026): https://www.airnav.com/airport/KEYW
- AirNav, Signature Aviation at KEYW (fuel prices reported Nov. 14, 2026): https://www.airnav.com/airport/KEYW/SIGNATURE
- Signature Aviation, Signature Key West (EYW/KEYW) location page: https://www.signatureaviation.com/locations/eyw
- Signature Aviation, Signature Access pricing page: https://www.signatureaviation.com/signature-access
- Signature Aviation, Handling Charge Policy: https://www.signatureaviation.com/handling-charge-policy
- Key West International Airport, General Aviation page: https://eyw.com/general-aviation
- OurAirports data (coordinates used for straight-line distances): https://ourairports.com/data/