Spirit Airlines is the latest airline to add a new US-Cayman Islands route with thrice-weekly non-stop flights between Fort Lauderdale and Grand Cayman starting 4 Dec.
The flights on the low-cost airline between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Grand Cayman’s Owen Roberts International Airport will operate on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
An airline spokesperson told the Cayman Compass the route is intended to operate year-round.
The flights are the latest in a number of new non-stop US routes added by various airlines, including Cayman Airways, Delta, United, American, JetBlue and Southwest, which will be available from this fall, in time for the height of the islands’ tourist season.
“Grand Cayman is a dream destination, and we look forward to offering our guests new, affordable travel options to reach this island paradise,” said John Kirby, vice president of Spirit Airline’s network planning division, in a press release. “This is a win for travelers across our network, who are gaining more access to top destinations in the Caribbean and Latin America as we continue to expand service from Fort Lauderdale.”
The airline noted that passengers travelling from any of the more than 30 destinations that Spirit currently serves will be able to visit Grand Cayman via one-stop connections in Fort Lauderdale, where Spirit is the largest carrier.
It said it is scheduled to operate more than 100 departures to more than 70 destinations by the end of 2025.
“We are delighted to welcome Spirit Airlines to Owen Roberts International Airport with the launch of their new nonstop service from Fort Lauderdale,” Albert Anderson, chief executive officer of the Cayman Islands Airports Authority, said in the release. “This new route enhances connectivity to one of our key US gateways and provides travelers with an affordable and convenient option to experience all that the Cayman Islands have to offer.
“We look forward to a strong partnership with Spirit as we continue to grow air access and support the development of tourism and business in the Cayman Islands.”
The airline is offering an introductory US$66 one-way fare from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Cayman and US$165 one-way fare from Grand Cayman to Fort Lauderdale. The fares are subject to a 21-day advance purchase, valid for booking from 5-11 Aug., for travel between 4 Dec. 2025 and 11 Feb. 2026, with blackout dates from 11 Dec. through 20 Jan.
The airline previously operated a Fort Lauderdale-Cayman route, but discontinued the service in 2009.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, following the Spirit Airlines announcement, the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism said the return of the route is “a result of strategic meetings” between the airline and the Cayman Islands Airports Authority at a CAPA Airline Leader Summit the department hosted at Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman in April this year.
“We are pleased to welcome Spirit Airlines to the Cayman Islands,” said Tourism Minister Gary Rutty in the statement. “Spirit has distinguished itself with its excellent service and value for money. We look forward to welcoming travellers across the Spirit network to the Cayman Islands to experience the genuine warmth of our people for an unforgettable vacation experience.”
The release noted that Spirit was awarded ‘Best Overall Airline’, ‘Safest Airline’ and ‘Most Affordable Airline’ in 2025 by the travel site WalletHub.
Rosa Harris, Cayman’s director of tourism, said the return ofJust all the CIT Spirit Airlines’ service to Fort Lauderdale would increase seat capacity from the “critical” Florida market.
“This flight demonstrates the confidence that the airline has in the Cayman Islands as [a] destination which will drive demand for tickets. We look forward to a growth in visitor arrivals from this new flight.”
Other winter routes
Spirit joins several airlines that are expanding their routes into Cayman, with many beginning in December, when the islands’ high tourism season is at its busiest.
Delta announced earlier this year that, in addition to its regular Atlanta service, it will be resuming direct flights to and from Detroit and introducing a new weekly flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport starting on 20 Dec.
United, which already has non-stop flights to Grand Cayman from Houston, Newark and Washington DC, is increasing the number of flights from Chicago O’Hare and Washington Dulles.
American Airlines has announced its service from Chicago O’Hare will increase between December and April, and its daily flights to Charlotte will continue year round, with two flights on Saturdays. It is also reintroducing its overnight service from Miami from 6 Oct. 2025 to 6 April 2026, arriving at Owen Roberts in the evening and departing the next morning.
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Big thanks to the Department of Tourism for promoting these airlines for these important direct destinations for stay over tourism. As a resident, I love the direct Ft Lauderdale destination.