The new terminal at Key West International Airport has been open for more than a month, but county officials officially cut the ribbon on May 20. And what a difference from the old downstairs departure area that made waiting at the DMV feel like a pleasure.
The new Concourse A has sky-high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glass windows, and even all-glass jetways connect the planes to the gates, replacing the drab tunnel-like structures at most airports.
The new Chili’s bar and restaurant is open, and its bar was packed the morning of the recent grand-opening ceremony. The seating is comfortable and abundant, with work stations and charging ports for laptops and tablets. And the bathrooms are beautiful.
“It looks like a real airport,” one of the contractors said proudly before the ribbon-cutting.
But the new Concourse A is more, much more. It’s state of the art. The glass wall panels can be switched from clear to opaque and withstand 200 mph winds. The dots on the glass are there to prevent birds from seeing their reflection — and heading straight into the glass.
Now, if we can just get the new baggage claim area up and running, the Key West International Airport will be a perfectly finished product. Don’t worry, that phase of construction is next and should be up and running this next year.
