Nonstop Flights Between Key West and NYC, Washington, D.C., to Begin Dec. 22

Beginning Saturday, Dec. 22, visitors can fly nonstop between Key West and both New York City and Washington, D.C., when U.S. Airways and Delta Airlines expand seasonal service to the Florida Keys.

Delta Airlines is to offer direct flights between New York's LaGuardia Airport and the island city Dec. 22 and 29, 2012; Jan. 5, 2013, and each Saturday from March 2 through April 6, 2013.

Travelers are to fly on 124-passenger Boeing 737-700W jets, with one arriving flight and one departing flight on each scheduled date. The 1,211-mile flight will be the longest commercial route ever to serve Key West, said Peter Horton, Florida Keys director of airports.

Nonstop U.S. Airways flights between Washington, D.C.'s Reagan National Airport and Key West International Airport are to be offered once daily from Dec. 22, 2012, through Jan. 5, 2013, and then continue on a Saturday-only basis through April.

Flights are scheduled for afternoon arrivals and departures, with travelers flying on 75-passenger Embraer 170 jets.

The new airlift plans come on the heals of Southwest's recent announcement that it plans to offer daily flight service between New Orleans and Key West beginning March 9, 2013, using Boeing 737 aircraft.

"This expansion of service reflects the airlines' confidence in the Key West market and in Key West International Airport," said Horton. "We are very excited about both airlines' new flights and new destinations."

Sourced: etravelblackboardasia