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With two airlines of their own, the Cayman Islands make air travel easy

Air Arrival

Cayman Islands Air Travel

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Airplanes are the most popular way to reach the Cayman Islands. Whether you enter at one of the major airports, or take a short hop to someplace a bit more secluded, they can be the simplest way to reach the islands.

All international flights enter through Owen Roberts International Airport on Grand Cayman Island. Flights from there to the smaller islands land at Gerrard-Smith International Airport on Cayman Brac and Edward Bodden Airstrip on Little Cayman. Most Cayman flights depart from the southern and eastern United States.

Costs

Airline costs are never low, but there are plenty of ways travelers have found to get the best deals on tickets. A few guidelines should help keep costs low:

  • Roundtrip tickets are usually less expensive than one-way tickets.

  • Booking well in advance, or, if you've got flexible plans, at the very last minute can offer great deals.

  • Off-peak flight times are always less expensive. Try booking your travel for mid-week, or during the Caribbean's off-season.

  • Staying for a Saturday or weekend can lower costs.

  • Sometimes another nearby airport can have lower cost tickets.

Remember: Most special tickets will require a fee, at minimum, if altered.

Most flights from the United States are nonstop to Grand Cayman. But airline lingo can be difficult to understand how the flights travel: Make note that a nonstop flight does not make any stops, but a direct flight makes at least one stop along the way.

Traveler's tip: Most Caribbean airports are small, so arriving passengers typically cannot deplane directly to the terminal. This is especially true in the airports of the smaller Cayman Islands. Airports rarely provide shuttle service, and travelers should expect to walk a ways from the tarmac to baggage claim. If you have a physical ailment that prevents you from walking, arrange an alternate form of transportation with one of the airline attendants prior to arriving.

Airlines

Once you're in the Caymans, you can island hop by way of smaller Cayman airlines. But to get to the Caymans, rely on one of these airline companies, all of which have regularly scheduled flights to the Cayman Islands.

Airlines servicing the Caribbean from the United States include the following:

Airline Telephone Number
American Airlines 800-433-7300
Cayman Airways 800-GCAYMAN (800-422-9626)
171-491-7771 (in the UK)
345-949-231
Delta Air Lines 800-223-2365
Northwest Airlines 800-225-2525
U.S. Airways 800-428-4322

Airlines servicing the Caribbean from Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean include the following:

Airline Telephone Number
Air Canada 800-363-54 (in Canada)
800-776-300040 (in the U.S.)
Air Jamaica 800-523-5585
British Airways 800-247-9297
Island Air (Cayman Islands Only) 345-949-5252

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ranks carriers based on safety, service, and performance. Americans who are unfamiliar with an airline's reputation can consult the FAA. Contact the FAA at 800 Independence Ave., SW, Washington D.C. 20591 or online at www.faa.gov. You can also phone the FAA regarding specific issues:

Regulator Telephone Number
Air Travel Service Problems 202-366-2220
Aviation Safety Hotline 800-255-1111
Aviation Consumer Protection Division 202-366-2220
Questions about FAA-monitored consumer issues 866-TELL-FAA (835-5322)
Transportation Security and Baggage Screeners Concerns 866-289-9673

Airport and Baggage Security

Recent years have seen an increase in terrorist activity and, as a result, an increase in security procedures in airports. Travelers may find the following facts useful in helping their travel go smoothly:

  • Baggage procedures include new security checks.

  • Random passenger inspections have been instated at many airports.

  • It is suggested that passengers arrive one hour ahead of time for U.S. domestic flights and two hours ahead of time for U.S. international flights to pass through security.

  • Avoid wearing metal and metallic objects, this should speed you through a metal detector.

  • Travelers with medical implants made of metal should bring a note from their doctor explaining this.

  • Carry-on items are limited to one personal item and one carry-on bag. Personal items include briefcases, purses, and laptop bags (only if they are carrying a laptop).

  • Food and beverages should be packed in carry-on luggage, as they may set off alarms for checked luggage.

  • Carrying wrapped presents is not suggested as, should they set off a detector, they will need to be unwrapped.

  • Government-issued photo IDs are necessary for all international flights.

  • Only ticketed passengers may pass through the gate, unless accompanying small children or travelers in need of special assistance.

  • Confirm your flight before heading to the airport.

Travelers in need of a complete list of regulated carry-on itemsmay visit the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website or call 1-866-289-9673 in the U.S.

Visitors to the Caymans will find flying one of the most convenient ways to reach the islands. With consistent schedules and plenty of flight options, it's easy to see why this is the most popular way to arrive.

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