Airport Construction Update Questions

Question

Hello Again

I wanted to check what the status was of the departure area at the airport. Last Feb/March the outdoor seating area was closed and space for sitting in general was severely limited.

Half our group flies out on a Saturday in early March at 12:30 and the other half not till 5PM (different destination cities). We'd all still hang out together in the departures area if the Conch Flyer is open (I know plans are to replace w/ Applebees - uggghh) or if there was just reasonable seating.

If it's still really congested in departures then I think we may just send the early group on ahead on their own. I'd really appreciate your thoughts! Thanks!

Answer

Great question — you’re wise to check, because things *have* changed quite a lot at Key West International Airport (EYW) recently. Here’s the latest on the departure area, the construction, and what you can realistically expect for early- and later-departing groups.

Current Status of the Departure Area

As of April–May 2025, Key West Airport’s new Concourse A has officially opened.

This upgraded terminal has:

Eight *air-conditioned glass jet bridges*, so no more walking across the tarmac for most flights.
Lots more seating, with USB and power outlets, work-table style stations, and free Wi-Fi.
New concessions: a Chili’s, Starbucks, a Farm2Air grab-and-go market, gift shops, and more.
Improved restrooms: marble-walled, touchless fixtures, and spacious layouts.

According to local reports, while the new terminal is more modern and has significantly more capacity, it's still technically a “soft launch” — *Phase 2* of construction is ongoing and is expected to be completed by summer 2026.

Phase 2 will reportedly include:

A bigger TSA/security checkpoint (four lanes) to reduce congestion.
A new baggage-claim lounge with better carousel setup.
Expanded rental-car counters and updated arrival-level passenger areas.

What About the Conch Flyer?

The Conch Flyer — a bit of a local institution — is mentioned in recent press as “still in the plans.” According to sources, a “new Conch Flyer” is expected, but not all food vendors are fully open yet.

In other words: it’s not gone, but the bar / restaurant scene is still ramping up.

Feedback From Travelers

Some Reddit users report that departing now *feels much more spacious and comfortable*.
But others still comment on crowding during peak times.
A recurring piece of advice: If you find a seat, don’t give it up — seats have gotten better, but good ones still fill quickly.

Your Situation (12:30 vs 5 PM Departures)

Given your two groups’ departure times (12:30 PM and 5:00 PM), and based on the recent upgrades, here’s what I think:

Yes, there is now *much more usable seating*. The new concourse feels more roomy, and with those worktable-type seats plus ample outlets, your group should be able to hang out together for a while more comfortably than in the old tight departure lounge.
The concession options are increasing, but not fully complete: depending on how “together” you want to be, you may not have *everything* ready (Conch Flyer not 100% back, some vendors still opening). So getting together earlier gives better odds.
If your 5 PM flight is from a gate that still requires walking (or using older sections of the terminal), or if you want maximum comfort, you could still consider having the early-departure group wander off separately eventually. But it’s less critical now than in the past.

My Recommendation

Arrive at the airport together early — maybe ~90 minutes before the 12:30 flight — so you can grab good seats in the new departure area.
Take advantage of the newer seating, the workspaces, and power outlets to hang out comfortably rather than splitting off immediately.
If you like, one person from the early group could briefly scope out the gate / concession situation (especially if the Conch Flyer isn’t fully open) and confirm where to reconvene later.
If things *do* feel crowded when the afternoon group arrives, be flexible: you can always move to a quieter corner, or one half can shift to nearby seating or concession areas and reconnect before boarding.

Bottom line: The airport has significantly upgraded, and the departure area is much improved — you should *mostly* be able to hang out together now, but it's smart to arrive early to secure good seating and take advantage of the better spaces.

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