![\"photo](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Over-Key-West-Photo-by-Jesse-Scott.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFlying over Key West, just about half an hour after taking off from Fort Lauderdale.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFlying over Key West, just about half an hour after taking off from Fort Lauderdale.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Photo by Jesse Scott<\/p>\n
If the Overseas Highway is Florida\u2019s most scenic slow roll, Spirit Airlines just introduced the exact opposite commute<\/a>. The carrier launched its new nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Key West International Airport on Thursday, November 6, promising an island escape that skips the traffic, tolls, and that one car that thinks 30 mph is the correct speed for all of U.S. 1.<\/p>\n The inaugural, 35-minute flight out of Gate G6 had field trip energy. With the Race World Offshore Key West Championships<\/a> happening this weekend, the cabin was a mix of tourism execs, boat racing enthusiasts<\/a>, vacation-bound couples, and even outlaw country artist Kevin Thomas, who is scheduled to perform during the boat spectacle on Friday \u2014 not exactly your average Thursday morning commuter crowd.<\/p>\n The plane itself? It still had that new-plane smell. Premium Economy offered noticeably more legroom than expected, and Spirit First looked legitimately cushy with bigger seating and perks baked in. This particular hop was billed as a 50-minute journey, but the crew made it happen in 35. Captain Dylan and co-captain Sebastian took us up to 16,000 feet, and the flight was so quick that there was no traditional service. We blinked twice, and before we knew it, were preparing for landing.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tWill you step up to support New Times this year?\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWe\u2019re aiming to raise $30,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to you. If\u00a0Miami New Times\u00a0matters to you, please take action and contribute today, so when news happens, our reporters can be there.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n The celebration started early, too. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue rolled water cannons to salute the sendoff, and Key West International returned the favor with its own spraydown upon arrival. If you\u2019re going to jumpstart a new route, you might as well do it like you just won the Stanley Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n Touchdown was followed by a small welcome party for all fliers: free key lime pie bars from Kermit\u2019s, Spirit swag bags filled with hats, koozies, fans, and sunscreen, plus airport staff looking genuinely thrilled to greet new arrivals.<\/p>\n From a traveler\u2019s perspective, this flight is a win for anyone who sees Key West<\/a> as a destination rather than a road trip. If your plan is Duval, water excursions, sunsets, and seafood towers, this route gets you into the action without the pack-the-car long haul. It is also a budget-friendly option in a region where boat charters and private planes are usually the fast-track, hella-expensive alternatives. The route runs three times a week and is expected to expand to daily service in December.<\/p>\n![\"photo](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Good-legroom-for-someone-who-is-62_Photo-by-Jesse-Scott.jpg\")
Pretty good legroom for someone who is 6\u20192\u2033.<\/p>\n![\"photo](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Over-the-Overseas-Highway-Photo-by-Jesse-Scott.jpg\")
View of the Overseas Highway from above.<\/p>\n