With the current expansion of the Key West International Airport going on, it seems apropos to take a look back at the history of flight and it’s Key West connection.
NAS Key West
From its earliest days, Key West has always felt a huge impact from the United States military. In the early 1900’s, the Navy’s aviation force was small as flight was a newer feat. In 1917, Naval Air Station Key West was established in Key West due to the island’s conducive weather conditions and strategic location. Initially, NAS was to be a small coastal air patrol station and had three seaplane ramps located at what is now Trumbo Point. And on September 22, 1917, the first flight from Key West was made with a Curtis N-9 plane flown by USCG Lt. Parker. Parker was also the very first commanding officer of NAS Key West.
All through WWI, NAS Key West pilots flew seaplanes and blimps in search of German subs in the area. Over 500 aviators trained here during this time making NAS Key West a premier training site for aviators. And today, the base still plays a huge importance in flight training, specifically air-to-air combat catering to all military services. However, after WWI, the base was basically inactive for a period of time.
NAS Key West reopened on Dec. 15, 1940 for seaplane missions. Since the base was so small, the Navy used Meachum Field, now Key West International Airport, for support blimps flying anti-submarine patrols. The county also had a little used air field on Boca Chica Key, which was eventually transferred to the Navy and become a part of NAS Key West. Today, when not being used for training, many visiting dignitaries arrive at Boca Chica field. And, the public can enter to watch the Air Spectacular that the Blue Angels put on here every two years.
Aeromarine West Indies Airways
Florida West Indies Airways and Aeromarine Sightseeing and Navigation Company was one of the first international airlines in the United States. On November 1, 1920, it commenced operations with a flight from Key West to Havana. They transported passengers, mail, and freight. In 1924, due to a freeze on mail contracts by the USPS, they ceased operations. But by 1927, the USPS was once again looking to contract an airline to carry the mail from Key West to Cuba. Enter Pan Am.
Pan Am
Pan American World Airways, better known as Pan Am, may have gone defunct in 1991, but everybody has heard of it since it was the USA’s main international air service from the 1920’s until its collapse. We were further reminded of the one time air giant with the 2004 movie, The Aviator, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. What I bet most people didn’t know is that Pan Am got its start in Key West, Florida!
Pan Am was founded in 1927 for scheduled operations between Key West and Cuba for both mail and passengers transport. Juan Trippe was the airline’s founder, and his mission was “to provide mass air transportation for the average man at rates he can afford to pay.” Services started on October 18, 1927; this first flight was to deliver mail from Key West to Cuba. On January 16, 1928 the first scheduled service flight from Key West to Cuba flew with seven passengers.
The building that was home to the original Key West headquarters of Pan Am still stands today. It is now First Flight, formerly Kelly’s Caribbean Bar Grill and Brewery located on Whitehead Street, named for its former owner, movie star Kelly McGillis. The first Pan Am airline tickets were actually sold out of this same building! Today you can dine at First Flight amidst memorabilia from the past including Pan Am uniforms, ads, articles, and photos.
Key West International Airport
Today, it is known as the Key West International Airport (EYW). But, it was originally called Meacham Field. And, this is where Pan Am’s first flight took off from. During the WWII era, the airport was utilized by the United States Army. In 1953, Meacham Field became Key West International Airport.
For many years, mainly prop planes flew into Key West due to the short runway. However, the 737 jet did also fly to the island. The airport’s runway, which was 4,801 feet was the shortest runway to be regularly used by a 737. In 2017, Key West International Airport was awarded a grant of $6.5 million by the FAA to assist in a $10 million runway project which added 227 feet to the runway for takeoffs and landings. A 10-foot wide shoulder paved on each side of the runway was also added.
Now, a new concourse if being built at EYW. It will be 48,000 square feet and will include new concessions such as a Chili’s Restaurant, Southern Point Bar, Farm 2 Air Market, and a new First Call Beach bar. Additional baggage devices, office space, and an expanded security checkpoint will also be added. Completion date is set for summer of 2026, so we look forward to this new age in flight to Key West, an island which welcomes over one million passengers a year through our little, expanding airport.
More About Key West
For more information about Key West and things to do, check out our website www.gotothekeys.com.
