Allegiant Air is adding a new nonstop route between Columbus, Ohio and Key West, Florida, with service set to begin May 21, 2026.
The new flights will operate between Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus and Key West International Airport, creating a direct link between central Ohio and the Florida Keys. Service is scheduled twice weekly.
The route adds another Midwest gateway into Key West, a destination that continues to draw steady demand thanks to its compact footprint and distinct island character. Arrivals land just minutes from Old Town, where narrow streets are lined with pastel conch houses, open-air cafés and small guesthouses tucked behind wooden gates. Duval Street runs straight through the center of it all, connecting harbor views on one end to the Atlantic shoreline on the other.
Key West International Airport has expanded in recent years, with terminal upgrades designed to accommodate increased passenger traffic and additional nonstop routes. The airport’s proximity to the island’s core shortens the arrival process; most hotels, marinas and historic districts are within a short drive.
Rickenbacker International Airport has continued building out its portfolio of leisure-focused routes, emphasizing point-to-point service to warm-weather destinations. The Key West addition strengthens its Florida network and introduces a nonstop option that previously required a connection through larger hubs.
The twice-weekly schedule aligns with typical leisure travel patterns, supporting long weekends as well as extended stays. A late May launch places the inaugural flights at the front edge of the summer season, when demand for domestic sun destinations typically accelerates.
With the new Columbus service, Key West continues broadening its reach into secondary U.S. markets while reinforcing its position as one of the most accessible island-style escapes in the continental United States.
Caribbean Journal Staff
2026-02-17 03:18:00