Cayman Airways (ICAO: CAY) is the flag carrier airline of the British Overseas Territory of the Cayman Islands, playing a crucial role in connecting the islands domestically and internationally.
Cayman Airways was established on August 7, 1968, following the Cayman Islands Government's acquisition of a 51% stake in Cayman Brac Airways from LACSA, the Costa Rican flag carrier. The airline became wholly government-owned in December 1977. Since its inception, it has served as the national airline, facilitating both passenger and cargo services.
The airline's main operational base and head office are located at Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM) in George Town, Grand Cayman. Additionally, Miami International Airport (MIA) and Tampa International Airport (TPA) in the United States serve as important hub airports, providing connectivity for travelers to and from the Cayman Islands.
Cayman Airways operates a modern jet fleet consisting of four Boeing 737-8 (MAX 8) aircraft for its international, regional, and domestic jet routes. Its subsidiary, Cayman Airways Express, handles inter-island domestic services utilizing two Saab 340B+ aircraft and two De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft, primarily connecting Grand Cayman with Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. The airline offers a route network that includes year-round nonstop service to major US cities such as Miami, Tampa, New York (JFK), Denver, and Los Angeles. Regionally, it serves destinations including Kingston and Montego Bay in Jamaica, Havana in Cuba, La Ceiba in Honduras, and Panama City in Panama, alongside its domestic inter-island flights. Cayman Airways is not a member of any major global airline alliance (e.g., Star Alliance, SkyTeam, Oneworld). However, it maintains codeshare agreements with several carriers, including American Airlines, British Airways, and JetBlue, and has a joint venture with British Airways for flights to London.
The airline offers two primary cabin classes: Economy Class and Business Class. A distinguishing service is the complimentary Seven Fathoms Rum Punch served on all international jet flights for passengers aged 18 and older, and a free meal is provided in Economy Class on international flights exceeding two hours. Business Class passengers receive an enhanced experience with complimentary drinks, a meal service, a hot-towel service, and access to the exclusive Sir Turtle lounge at Owen Roberts International Airport. The airline also features a loyalty program called Sir Turtle Rewards.
Recent traveler reviews for Cayman Airways indicate a mixed but generally positive sentiment, with particular appreciation for its unique local touches and dedicated staff, though operational consistency sometimes draws criticism.
What Travelers Love:
Common Complaints:
Overall, the sentiment suggests that while Cayman Airways excels in providing a warm, hospitable, and uniquely Caymanian experience with dedicated staff, there are areas for improvement concerning operational consistency, particularly regarding punctuality and communication during delays, as well as the uniformity of ground services.
Cayman Airways maintains a strong safety focus and has a notable safety record.
The airline has reported a good safety record, with some sources asserting a "perfect safety record since its inception in 1968." While specific major accidents are not widely reported, minor incidents have occurred, such as a cabin pressurization issue, an engine shutdown in flight, and an unidentified odor onboard, all occurring in 2017. Following the global grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 in March 2019, Cayman Airways voluntarily suspended its MAX 8 operations and resumed service in early 2021 after extensive design modifications and approvals from international regulatory bodies.
Cayman Airways operates under stringent regulatory oversight. It is regularly audited by key aviation authorities, including the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands (CAACI), the British Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA), and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The airline successfully completed the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), achieving registration in 2008, which signifies adherence to global safety management standards. The airline is not listed on the European Union's Air Safety List.
The airline's fleet age and maintenance reputation are positive, especially following its recent modernization program. Cayman Airways completed the retirement of its older Boeing 737-300 aircraft in 2021 and now operates a jet fleet of "four brand new state-of-the-art Boeing 737-8 aircraft," making it one of the carriers with the newest jet fleets in the Caribbean. This modernization, coupled with the airline's stated commitment to a robust Safety Management System, underscores a strong maintenance reputation.
Based on available data, Cayman Airways has an excellent overall safety assessment. AirlineRatings.com gives Cayman Airways a safety rating of 7 out of 7, indicating a very high standard of safety. The IOSA registration further attests to its commitment to operational safety and compliance with international best practices.
| Route | Destination | Flights | Distance | Aircraft | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GCM → CYB |
Charles Kirkconnell International
Cayman Brac
|
414 | 100 mi | SF34 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| GCM → LYB |
Edward Bodden Airfield (Little Cayman)
Little Cayman
|
312 | 86 mi | DHC4 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| GCM → MIA |
Miami Intl
Miami
|
226 | 455 mi | CVLT | Dec 11, 2025 |
| GCM → KIN |
Norman Manley Int'l
Kingston
|
126 | 314 mi | B38M | Dec 11, 2025 |
| GCM → TPA |
Tampa Intl
Tampa
|
91 | 624 mi | B38M | Dec 11, 2025 |
| KIN → GCM |
Owen Roberts/Grand Cayman
George Town
|
53 | 314 mi | B38M | Oct 25, 2025 |
| CYB → GCM |
Owen Roberts/Grand Cayman
George Town
|
45 | 100 mi | SF34 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| GCM → PTY |
Tocumen Int'l
Panama City
|
36 | 719 mi | B38M | Dec 11, 2025 |
| CYB → LYB |
Edward Bodden Airfield (Little Cayman)
Little Cayman
|
24 | 14 mi | DHC4 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| MIA → GCM |
Owen Roberts/Grand Cayman
George Town
|
20 | 492 mi | B38M | Nov 29, 2025 |
| GCM → LCE |
Goloson Int'l
La Ceiba
|
20 | 439 mi | B38M | Dec 10, 2025 |
| GCM → JFK |
John F Kennedy Intl
New York
|
19 | 1575 mi | B38M | Dec 10, 2025 |
| GCM → HAV |
Jose Marti Int'l
Havana
|
18 | 265 mi | B38M | Dec 5, 2025 |
| PTY → GCM |
Owen Roberts/Grand Cayman
George Town
|
10 | 719 mi | B38M | Dec 8, 2025 |
| JFK → GCM |
Owen Roberts/Grand Cayman
George Town
|
7 | 1626 mi | B38M | Oct 16, 2025 |
| GCM → LAX |
Los Angeles Intl
Los Angeles
|
4 | 2625 mi | B38M | Nov 29, 2025 |
| MBJ → GCM |
Owen Roberts/Grand Cayman
George Town
|
3 | 232 mi | B38M | Aug 26, 2025 |
| GCM → MBJ |
Sangster Int'l
Montego Bay
|
3 | 232 mi | B38M | Aug 26, 2025 |
| TPA → GCM |
Owen Roberts/Grand Cayman
George Town
|
2 | 643 mi | B38M | Jul 17, 2025 |
| GCM → DEN |
Denver Intl
Denver
|
2 | 2042 mi | B38M | Aug 16, 2025 |
| LCE → GCM |
Owen Roberts/Grand Cayman
George Town
|
2 | 439 mi | B38M | Dec 3, 2025 |
| LAX → GCM |
Owen Roberts/Grand Cayman
George Town
|
1 | 2552 mi | B38M | Aug 24, 2025 |
| MIA → CYB |
Charles Kirkconnell International
Cayman Brac
|
1 | 472 mi | UNKNOWN | Aug 16, 2025 |
| HAV → GCM |
Owen Roberts/Grand Cayman
George Town
|
1 | 265 mi | B38M | Aug 8, 2025 |
| MSY → GCM |
Owen Roberts/Grand Cayman
George Town
|
1 | 1003 mi | B38M | Oct 12, 2025 |
Airline statistics are based on flight route observations collected from FlightAware AeroAPI and other sources. Flight counts represent observed operations, not scheduled frequencies. Route data is continuously updated as new flight information becomes available.