The Airchive-Florida Keys Planespotting

	Key West International Airport Key West International serves the vibrant and at the same time, laid-back lower Florida Keys. It is noteworthy as the birthplace of Pan American World Airways (see below). EYW is served by small RJs and turbo-props from regional arms of Continental, American, Delta, and US Airways. It is also served by the remarkable Sea Planes of Key West (see below). Owing to its 4800 foot runway, EYW is not served regularly by any airliners larger than the ERJ-190 at this time. In the past, airlines such as Air Florida served EYW occassionally with planes as large as 737s. Sadly the days of local commuter airlines flying classic Convairs and DC-3s such as Air Sunshine and PBA are a thing of the past. The current 1950s era terminal is slated to be replaced by a new terminal by 2010.

	EYW Ticketing An unsual feature is that once you have your boarding pass, you must exit the terminal to get to airside.
	FAA Tower
	Key West Airport Restaurant "The Conch Flyer" The restaurant at Key West Airport is home to mucho airline memorabilia including a model of a B-307 Stratoliner. EYW Airport is also the only airport I know of to pocess a genuine Beach Bar with real sand.

	Baggage Tags These baggage tags in the bar show the variety of airlines that have served Key West over the years. At one time, Air Florida served Key West with jets. Today, there is no scheduled jet service.
	Pan Am Boeing 314 Model
	Pan Am Boeing 377 Model The 377 was the world's first pressurized airliner.
	Pan Am Monument Pan Am’s life began at Key West in 1928 with a flight to Havana. Scarcely 2 years later, PA moved it’s services to Miami. This marker stands outside the entrance to Key West’s Meacham Field. PAA didn’t return to EYW until the 80s via Pan Am Express.
	Key West Airport Ramp
	Cubana Anotov An-22 This airplane was flown here from Havana by a family seeking political asylum back in 2004.
	Key West Anotov 2 This Anotov An-2 has just flown into Key West by asylum seeking Cubans when this photograph was taken in November 2002.
	American Eagle ATR-72 American ATRs serve EYW from Miami Beach
	US Airways Express (Republic Aviation) ERJ-190 These RJs are the largest airliners to serve EYW. US Airways serves Orlando and Ft. Lauderdale from here.
	Gulf Stream International Airlines (The Continental Connection) Gulfstream serves Ft Lauderdale, Orlando, Fort Myers, Tampa, and Miami from EYW.
	Sea Planes of Key West With the demise of Chalk's, Sea Planes of Key West is now America's ultimate sea plane operation. Sea Plane's fleet of modern Cessna 208 Caravan's and Cessna 206 amphibians are outstanding crew are a wonderful way to enjoy the Florida Keys and particularly the Dry Tortugas. Sea Planes operates from Key West to Fort Jefferson at 500 to 1,000 feet altitudes affording mesmorizing views on the smooth, comfortable 30 minute flights. I have obviously flown around the world on every conceivable piece of equipment to many exotic destinations, and this is in the top 5! Sea Planes has a 100% perfect safety record, owing to their very experienced crews and in fact, they carry out their own maintenace. By the way, don't let the crews casual shorts and flip flops attire and attitude concen you-they are top knotch. Many having flown in the Alaskan Bush! Contact Sea Planes at their website www.seaplanesofkeywest.com or call them at 1-800-950-2359. Reservations are required, and the flights are nearly always full so don't delay if you're heading to the Keys.Tell them airchive.com sent you!
	Cessna 208 Caravan and 206 below

	Cessna 206 Seaplanes operates 2 of these 5 passenger ambhibians.
	Cessna 208 Caravan The 9 seat 208 Caravan turboprop is the ultimate sea plane flying today. Sea Plane's flies 2 of these.






	Cessna 208 Caravan Cabin The 9 seat 208 Caravan turboprop is the ultimate sea plane flying today. Sea Plane's flies 2 of these air conditioned wonderplanes.


	Fort Jefforson at Garden Key, Dry Tortugas Key West Sea Planes flies to this fascinating Civil War era fort from Key West in about 30 minutes. It is historical in that it was where the doctor who treated Lincoln's assasin, John Wilkes Booth, was imprisoned. As fascinating as the fort is, the flight is the highlight.

	Take-off! The "water roll" is the highlight of the flight. Sea Planes can smoothly take off in up to 3 foot seas.
	Sea Planes Office and Ticketing
	EYW Approach on Runway 9/27 EYW's short 4800 foot runway is seen through the Caravan's windscreen.
	Kelly’s Place - Pan Am's First Headquarters Kelly’s Place, a restaurant owned by actress Kelly McGillis, was the original home of Pan Am from 1928-30. It is located at the absolute end of US Highway 1 in Key West, Florida and possesses a fine collection of Pan Am artifacts.


	Marathon Airport Marathon’s Airport, located midway through the Florida Keys, boasts a beautiful new terminal but very, very limited service. When I visited in November 2002, only 1 airline Florida Coast Airlines flying Cessna 402s, served the city. By 2006 when some of these phots were taken, no regularly scheduled airlines were serving this airport. At one time, American Eagle, Air Sunshine, Delta Express, and Pan Am Express served this small Florida city. Marathon still has a thriving civial aviation seen, however.