Flying to Key West is now a Breeze
FLORIDA KEYS VIDEO ADVISORY June 12, 2025 Contact: Mary B. Haban, Visit Florida Keys, Mary@fla-keys.com (813) 210-8585
Story: Flying to Key West is now a Breeze
Locator: Key West, Fla.
Video Link: Click here for Video
Photo Link: Click here for Photos
Photo Captions Below
Audio Link for Radio: Click here for Audio file
B-roll and photos of the inaugural flight of Breeze Airways into Key West International Airport, including passengers disembarking and a welcome water cannon on June 12, 2025. SOTs with Fiona Kiesel (pronounced Fiona KEY Sul), and Kayla Moon, a passenger on the inaugural flight.
TRT: 2:20 Filename: KeysBreeze.mp4
Video source: Florida Keys News Bureau
Producer Note: Fiona Kiesel (pronounced Fiona KEY Sul)
Photos & Captions: Below
Key West, Florida Keys – It just got a whole lot easier to escape to the island of Key West. That’s because Breeze Airways unveiled its new nonstop service between Key West, Orlando and Tampa. The friendly airline, with a brand-new fleet of aircraft, offers four flights a week to and from each city, with one-way fares starting at $39 and $59 dollars, a nice reprieve from the high cost to fly.
“Breeze prides itself on having seriously nice team members, and we fly nice people to nice places, just like Key West,” said Fiona Kiesel, Breeze Airways chief guest officer.
Passengers aboard the inaugural Breeze Airways flight from Tampa to Key West Thursday morning were greeted with a warm island welcome, as fire trucks created a giant arc of water on the tarmac for the plane to taxi through. But the real surprise is what was waiting for them as they walked off the plane and into Key West airport’s brand new, $100 million terminal. Gift bags and a slice of the island’s signature dessert, key lime pie on a stick.
Virginia resident Kayla Moon had always wanted to be on an inaugural flight into a city, and she made it happen aboard Breeze’s first flight to Key West, arriving with her daughter, Reagan, 4.
“I wanted to do an inaugural flight. It just sounded like something fun to do. So, we booked a flight from Charlottesville to Charlotte to Tampa to make this trip. We'll be here for a day and then leave.”
Despite its far-flung location and exotic appeal, Key West has never been more accessible for air travelers. With American, Delta, United, Jet Blue, Allegiant and now Breeze offering direct flights to more than 20 cities, and counting, including Boston, New York, Dallas, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York and Asheville, Key West International (EYW) has seen an 80% increase in available seats since 2019.
In 2024, the island airport served more than 1.4 million passengers, who now enjoy the new concourse, air-conditioned jet bridges linking the planes to the gates, and a host of new restaurants and amenities. A new baggage claim area is also underway.
And flight options are growing. This fall, Breeze Airways will add nonstop service to Raleigh-Durham, while Allegiant Air will add nonstop flights to Knoxville, Tennessee.
Key West’s motto may be “Close to perfect, far from normal,” but thanks to Breeze Airways, that island getaway is never too far away for air travelers.
###
A celebratory splashdown in the southernmost city in the United States as Breeze Airways launched its inaugural nonstop flight from Tampa to Key West on Thursday, June 12, 2025. The flight from Tampa taxied through a ceremonial water cannon salute upon arrival, signaling the start of new direct flights between Key West, Orlando, and Tampa. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Mark Hedden/Florida Keys News Bureau)
Passengers arriving in Key West on Breeze Airways’ inaugural flight from Tampa were welcomed with big smiles and a sweet local treat, frozen key lime pie on a stick, marking a picture-perfect start to their island getaway. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Mark Hedden/Florida Keys News Bureau)
A jubilant passenger from Breeze Airways’ inaugural flight from Tampa celebrates her arrival in Key West with an impromptu dance move. Greeted with balloons, gift bags, and island hospitality at the gate, travelers stepped off the plane into the brand-new terminal at Key West International Airport. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Mark Hedden/Florida Keys News Bureau)
ABOUT THE FLORIDA KEYS & KEY WEST
The Florida Keys & Key West is a premier getaway destination located at the southernmost tip of Florida and the continental United States. The Keys stretch over 125 miles connected by 42 bridges and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf. Discover the spectacular array of diverse activities offered in the Florida Keys like fishing, diving, natural wonders, fine dining and cultural heritage. From large resorts, secluded waterfront hideaways and courtyard guest houses, visitors can uncover the perfect place for their vacation. Restoration, renovation and preservation have become a way of life in the Florida Keys. Whether you’re driving or flying into the Keys, one thing is for sure: there’s simply no place quite like it. Want more reasons to visit The Florida Keys & Key West? Get inspired at visitfloridakeys.com and follow us @thefloridakeys on social media.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Mary B. Haban
Senior Director of Public Relations
Visit Florida Keys & Key West
(305) 394-3142
Visit Florida Keys & Key West PR Agency Team (TURNER)