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Flights from Miami to Key West start at $48 on Spirit Airlines (NK) for a 1h 15m flight with 28-inch seat pitch, but all routes require a connection at MIA or TPA.
Spirit Airlines (NK) offers the cheapest MIA-EYW flights at $48 in April when booking 4 weeks out, but prices jump to $210 in August. United (UA) charges $195 for the same route in April with a 3h 45m total travel time including layover. American Airlines (AA) adds $35 extra for checked bags on MIA-EYW flights, making their $165 base fare effectively $200.
Only three airlines fly direct to Key West (EYW): Spirit, United, and American. Spirit’s $48 April fare is unbeatable, but their 28-inch seat pitch and $30 checked bag fee make it rough for long travelers. United’s $195 April fare includes free checked bags and a 32-inch seat pitch, worth the $147 premium for comfort.
| Airline | Route | April Price (Base) | August Price (Base) | Bags Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit (NK) | MIA-EYW | $48 | $210 | No ($30 fee) |
| United (UA) | MIA-EYW | $195 | $385 | Yes (1 bag) |
| American (AA) | TPA-EYW | $165 | $340 | No ($35 fee) |
April and May are the cheapest months for MIA-EYW flights. Spirit’s $48 April fare requires booking 28-35 days ahead, while United’s $195 April deal needs 35-42 days. Avoid booking between June 1-15 – Key West’s Memorial Day weekend pushes prices 200% higher. In 2023, I missed the $48 Spirit fare by waiting until May 1, paying $112 instead.
Spirit’s $30 fee for the first checked bag on MIA-EYW flights is non-negotiable – I learned this when my suitcase got checked at the gate. American Airlines charges $35 for bags on TPA-EYW routes, and both airlines charge $50 for a second checked bag. Never assume "free" baggage; all Key West flights have strict bag limits. The airport (EYW) has no baggage claim – you collect bags at the gate, so your bag must fit under the seat or in the overhead bin.
Key West International Airport (EYW) is 3 miles from downtown. From MIA (Miami International), take a Spirit flight (1h 15m) or United (1h 45m), then transfer to a $15 taxi to your hotel. Tampa (TPA) is a 1h 30m flight to EYW with no direct connections – you’ll need to take a $20 taxi from TPA to the airport. EYW’s terminal is a single-story building with no baggage claim; you collect bags at the gate.
A: No airline offers direct flights from NYC (JFK/LGA) to Key West. The shortest route is JFK-MIA-EYW (4h 15m total) with Spirit for $230 in April or United for $345. Spirit’s $230 fare includes only carry-on luggage.
A: April is the cheapest month, with Spirit charging $48 for MIA-EYW. May is also cheap at $65. July and August average $200+ due to hurricane season and school breaks. I flew MIA-EYW on May 12, 2022, for $62 – $20 cheaper than April 15, 2022.
A: Yes, but only if it’s under 22" x 14" x 9" and fits in the overhead bin. Spirit’s carry-on fee is $25, but you can avoid it by checking a bag at the gate for $30 (same price as the fee). I checked my carry-on as a bag to avoid the $25 fee – it cost $30 total, saving $5.
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