What It’s Like To Fly Spirit’s Newest and Shortest Route to Key West

^{The author flew as an invited guest of Spirit Airlines. All opinions are the author’s own, and Spirit Airlines did not have any input in any part of this review.}

When Spirit Airlines announced its newest route — a quick hop between Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Key West (EYW) — I knew I had to check it out. On November 6, 2025, I joined the inaugural flight, which also happens to be the shortest route in Spirit’s entire network.

I’ve flown Spirit plenty of times before, but never on a flight this short (or this scenic). And while the airline has faced a rough patch lately — including a second bankruptcy filing and a string of headlines about cash-flow issues and shrinking margins — it’s also quietly adding routes to find gaps where they can profit. This new Key West route feels like a symbol of that effort: small in scale but hopeful in tone.

With that in mind, I boarded the Fort Lauderdale-based airline’s inaugural flight to Key West to experience it for myself and see what kind of energy an inaugural flight like this brings.

A Quiet Send-Off in Fort Lauderdale

The flight departed at 12:40 p.m. Eastern Time from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Spirit’s long-time stronghold and home base.

Surprisingly, there wasn’t much fanfare at the gate — no speeches, no balloons. There was a water cannon salute, a ceremonial celebration to welcome a new airline or route into an airport.

However, the real celebration, though, was waiting at the other end (more on this later).

The boarding process at FLL started promptly. The flight was operated by an Airbus A320, Spirit Airlines‘ short-haul workhorse with about 174 seats. I grabbed one of the Big Front Seats, which is Spirit’s version of domestic first class, and costs around $100 to $140 extra for a wider recliner and several more inches of legroom.

We pushed back right on schedule and began the short, scenic hop down to Key West.

Blink-and-You’ll-Miss-It Flight Time

Our total flight time was clocked at just under an hour, but we spent less than 30 minutes in the air. Once we reached cruising altitude (about 16,000 feet), the pilot was already announcing our descent into Key West.

That said, the crew did a great job of quickly taking drink orders and offering snacks to those of us sitting upfront and in the Premium Economy seats — a small but appreciated touch on such a short hop.

Still, there was an unmistakable buzz onboard — the energy that comes with an inaugural flight. The flight attendants were in great spirits (no pun intended), and the views of turquoise waters outside once we were in the air were simply stunning.

What started as a quiet morning departure quickly gave way to a completely different vibe upon arrival — one that felt unmistakably Key West.

A Lively Arrival in Key West

Landing in Key West before the 1:30 p.m. arrival time was when things really came to life. As soon as we stepped off the aircraft, smiling Spirit, airport, and tourism staff were waiting with cheerful greetings and “Welcome to Key West!” signs.

They handed out welcome bags filled with local goodies and delicious Key lime ice-cream bars to cool off in the island heat.

The atmosphere was light and genuinely welcoming. It was the kind of feel-good moment that makes an inaugural flight memorable.

Key West International Airport (EYW) is as relaxed as the island it serves. Small yet modern, the airpot offers an easy, seamless arrival experience.

It’s the kind of place where you step off the plane and instantly feel like you’ve arrived in paradise.

The Return Flight Was Quick and Peaceful

Since I was only there for the inaugural journey and not staying overnight, my time in Key West was brief. After about 30 minutes on the ground — just enough to take a few photos and soak in the excitement — I boarded the same aircraft for the return to Fort Lauderdale departing at 2:25 p.m.

This time, there were only a handful of passengers onboard. It was great for me, with the Big Front Seat row all to myself, but also a sign that most travelers are heading southbound for a few days of island sunshine rather than back to South Florida.

The flight home was even faster, clocking in at around 25 minutes in the air. Before long, we were descending over Fort Lauderdale’s beaches and back on the ground, early for our 3:28 p.m. arrival time.

Why Spirit’s Fort Lauderdale to Key West Route Makes Sense

I live in Fort Lauderdale, and I can count on 1 hand the number of times I’ve actually made the drive down to Key West. As beautiful as the Overseas Highway is — with its endless ocean views and iconic bridges — it’s a commitment.

The drive takes over 4 hours each way from my house in Fort Lauderdale, which is long enough to make me (and probably many others) think twice about doing it. With only one road leading in and out, any traffic, construction, or accidents can cause delays, extending the scenic 4-hour trip to 5 or 6 hours. For someone like me, hopping on a short flight instead makes more sense.

That convenience isn’t just appealing to locals. For travelers coming from other parts of the country, flying directly into Key West can be wildly expensive. It’s usually far cheaper to book a flight into Fort Lauderdale or Miami (MIA) and then connect on a short, low-cost hop down to the island. It’s an easy and budget-friendly workaround that makes Key West more accessible.

For years, the only nonstop option between Fort Lauderdale and Key West was operated by Silver Airways, which ceased operations this past summer, and even that came with limited schedules and higher fares. Spirit’s new service — starting at just $57 for economy, $127 for Premium Economy, and $262 for the Big Front Seat — opens the door for weekend getaways or easy add-ons to an existing South Florida trip.

Even as Spirit continues to cut underperforming routes, these short, leisure-focused hops could help keep planes full and travelers satisfied.

Final Thoughts

Spirit’s newest route might be short, but it fills a real need for travelers on both ends. For those visiting South Florida, it offers an easy alternative to the long, 4-hour drive down U.S. 1, turning what’s usually a half-day trek into a quick, 25-minute hop.

And for locals or those living in the Keys, it’s a simple way to head north for a weekend of shopping, dining, or catching a flight to another destination.

While Spirit continues to navigate a challenging financial landscape, this route is a reminder that practical, well-timed service can still win over travelers. It’s convenient, efficient, and makes one of Florida’s most scenic getaways more accessible than ever.