Private Jet to Key West: Which Planes Fit EYW's 5,076-Foot Runway & Miami Connections

Private flights to Key West turn a long island drive into a short hop. The Overseas Highway alone runs about 113 miles through the Keys, after the trip from Miami. A turboprop from Miami Executive lands in roughly 40 minutes. Light jets reach the island nonstop from New York, Chicago or Texas.

• Time saved: about 40 minutes by air from Miami or Naples.
• Direct to the island: EYW sits 2 miles from the commercial centre.
• Customs on site: EYW is an airport of entry for Bahamas and Caribbean trips.

How is flying private to Key West different from an airline flight?

Airlines serve Key West with jets up to the A319 and 737-700. On the 5,076-foot runway, their departures often face weight limits. The airport handled about 1.48 million passengers in 2025. A charter keeps its own schedule and can leave from nearby fields such as Naples, Marathon or Miami Executive.

Turboprops, very light jets and light jets are the private aircraft planned into Key West International. Its single runway, 09/27, is 5,076 feet after a 227-foot extension in 2017. Airliners up to the A319 and 737-700 use it, but departures often face weight limits. Midsize and larger private jets route through Miami.

Can a midsize or larger private jet land in Key West?

No, midsize and larger private jets are not planned into Key West International (EYW) under the Hogani runway standard. Its 5,076-foot runway suits up to light jets such as the Phenom 300E. Bigger cabins land at Miami Executive (TMB) or Opa-locka (OPF), with a turboprop for the final 40 minutes.

No, Florida Keys Marathon (MTH) is not a bigger-jet alternative to Key West. Its runway, 07/25, is 5,008 feet, slightly shorter than EYW's. Marathon suits stays in the Middle Keys, 40 nautical miles northeast of Key West. It opened a customs facility in April 2016.

Does Marathon airport have customs for private flights?

Yes, Florida Keys Marathon (MTH) has had a US Customs and Immigration facility since April 20, 2016. Officers staff it Wednesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. After-hours clearance is available with 24 hours' notice. The airfield itself is listed as open around the clock.

A private flight to Key West takes about 40 minutes from Miami, and just over an hour from Tampa. A private jet Miami to Key West hop covers 97 nautical miles from Miami Executive. A private jet Tampa to Key West flight covers 209 nautical miles. Both suit a turboprop.

• Orlando: a private jet from Orlando to Key West takes about 1 hour 10 minutes by turboprop.
• Naples: private flights from Naples to Key West take about 40 minutes.
• New York: about 2 hours 50 minutes nonstop from Teterboro by light jet.
• Dallas: about 2 hours 30 minutes by light jet.

The private jet to Key West price starts at $1,300 an hour for a turboprop. Very light jets cost $1,600 to $2,800 hourly, and light jets $2,300 to $3,800. Those three categories land on the island. Midsize jets and above, from $2,800 an hour, fly into Miami and connect by turboprop.

Each estimate multiplies the flight time by the category's hourly rate range. Taxes, airport fees and any repositioning are not included.

Your custom quote will include every tax and fee upfront with zero hidden costs. Speak with our aviation experts for full itinerary details.

A dog can fly to Key West in the cabin once the operator approves it. Pet rules differ by aircraft, but trips within the US carry no federal import paperwork. For a return from the Bahamas, CDC rules call for a microchip and a Dog Import Form receipt. Mention weight and breed at quote stage.

Flight hours and aircraft size drive the private jet to Key West cost. The runway caps the cabin size. Bigger groups pay for a jet into Miami plus a turboprop connection. Long northbound departures may need a fuel stop, and peak winter weeks raise demand.

• Cabin limit: light jets are the largest aircraft planned into EYW.
• Departure weight: fuel loads leaving the short runway can limit nonstop range.
• Airport hours: EYW closes overnight, so late arrivals need a plan.
• Event weeks: Fantasy Fest and the winter season fill aircraft and hotels.

What are the cheapest private flights to Key West?

The cheapest private flights to Key West are turboprop hops from Miami or Naples, at $1,300 to $2,500 hourly. Either flight takes about 40 minutes. From farther away, a very light jet such as the HondaJet Elite II costs $1,600 to $2,800 hourly. Empty legs can lower prices further.

Key West empty legs are repositioning flights, usually on turboprops and light jets, sold below the normal hourly price. They follow another client's schedule, so the departure time is not yours to set. The leg can be cancelled if the original trip changes.

Ask for current options at charter@hoganijets.com or +1-855-660-0573, with dates and group size.

November to April is the best time to fly private to Key West, during the island's dry season. Those months bring only about a quarter of the year's rain. September is the wettest month. Fantasy Fest fills the island in late October, and Atlantic storm season peaks from August to October.

Is Key West airport open at night for private jets?

No, Key West International (EYW) is not open all night for private jets. The airport and its control tower are listed as operating 0700 to 2300 local time. Late arrivals can land at Marathon, open around the clock, or overnight in Miami.

Most visitors stay in or near Old Town, within walking distance of Duval Street and the harbour. Casa Marina, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, has the largest private beach on the island. EYW is only a few minutes' drive from either area.

Key West mixes literary history, presidential retreats and open water. Ernest Hemingway lived at 907 Whitehead Street from 1931 to 1939. Harry Truman spent 175 days at the Little White House over 11 visits. Duval Street runs about 1.1 miles from the Gulf to the Atlantic.

• Hemingway Home: known for its six- and seven-toed cats.
• Fort Zachary Taylor: the southernmost beach the public can visit.
• Mallory Square: the island's traditional sunset gathering point.
• Dry Tortugas: Fort Jefferson lies about 68 miles west of Key West.
• Great Florida Reef: diving and snorkelling just offshore.

• Diving: allow at least a full day after diving before flying out.
• Fishing: rods and coolers need space, which matters in a light jet.
• Dry Tortugas trips: a full day out, so plan departures for the next morning.
• Cruise ship days: Mallory Square and Old Town get busier when ships are in.

Key West follows Eastern Time with daylight saving. EYW customs needs about two hours' notice before an international arrival. Every passenger arriving from abroad needs a valid passport. 

Key West is Florida's driest city, averaging just over 40 inches of rain a year.

Hogani Jets books each Key West private jet charter around the island's runway. Small groups fly straight into EYW. Larger groups land in Miami first, with the turboprop connection timed to the arrival. Founder Matt Hogan has coordinated over 2,000 flights across 90-plus countries.

Every operator's Part 135 certificate, insurance coverage, and safety record is independently reviewed before booking, with ARGUS, Wyvern, or IS-BAO ratings considered where they exist as one part of that review.

• Runway-matched aircraft: turboprops and light jets sized for EYW's 5,076 feet.
• Miami connections: jet into TMB or OPF, turboprop onward the same day.
• Event timing: aircraft held early for Fantasy Fest and winter holidays.

To book private jet charter to Key West, contact Hogani Jets at charter@hoganijets.com or +1-855-660-0573.