Cayman Airways will end its nonstop service between Grand Cayman and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on 19 Oct. 2026, marking the close of a route that has been part of the national carrier’s network since 2007.
The airline confirmed the final JFK departure will bring nearly two decades of direct service between Owen Roberts International Airport and one of Cayman’s most significant tourism gateways to an end. Apart from a temporary suspension during the COVID-19 pandemic, the route has operated consistently since its launch, carrying close to 500,000 passengers over that period.
New York continues to rank among Cayman’s top US source markets, and the airline emphasised that the decision is not driven by softening demand. Instead, it reflects that the route is now well served by multiple carriers.
In its announcement, Cayman Airways said the decision forms part of a broader long-term network strategy developed in collaboration with the Cayman Islands Government and the Department of Tourism.
Fabian Whorms, president and CEO of Cayman Airways, described the move as a “thoughtful and deliberate approach to network planning”, adding that the airline intends to redeploy aircraft capacity toward new routes and expanded services that align with national priorities.
The timing also coincides with a seasonal schedule adjustment and the planned closure of JFK’s terminal one facility, from which Cayman Airways has operated since launching the route.
Nonstop options still available
The New York–Cayman corridor is now operated by several US carriers offering daily nonstop services, in addition to connecting options through major hubs. Flight times in either direction typically range from about 3 hours 45 minutes to four hours.
Flight schedule data shows daily nonstop services from Grand Cayman to both JFK and Newark Liberty International Airport, operated by JetBlue and United respectively.
Delta Air Lines launched a new seasonal nonstop service between JFK and Grand Cayman in December, operating weekly through 11 April 2026.
Connecting options also remain extensive. American Airlines offers multiple daily one-stop services via Miami and Charlotte into JFK, LaGuardia and Newark. Air Canada provides connections through Toronto, while Spirit and other carriers offer lower-cost one-stop alternatives via Fort Lauderdale or other hubs..
Current fare searches indicate that round-trip tickets are often available in the mid-CI$200 range, depending on the season, with January generally the cheapest month to travel and June among the most expensive.
Fleet redeployment
From an operational perspective, the withdrawal frees capacity within Cayman Airways’ fleet of four Boeing 737-8 aircraft. The airline indicated that these aircraft will be redeployed to strengthen other routes and support new market development over the coming years.
The move highlights the airline’s evolving role. In a mature and increasingly competitive airlift market, Cayman Airways appears to be focusing on opening new routes – such as its seasonal summer service to Austin, Texas – while leaving established, high-volume corridors to larger US carriers.
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Obviously, Cayman Airways decision to leave JFK is entirely its own, but please report accurate facts. To state “Flight schedule data shows daily nonstop services from Grand Cayman to both JFK and Newark Liberty International Airport, operated by JetBlue and United respectively,” is a gross overstatement of fact. It only takes a flight search for dates after May 1st to return the results that only Cayman Airways has daily non-stop flights serving the New York area. To further muddy the announcement “….connecting options through major hubs. Flight times in either direction typically range from about 3 hours 45 minutes to four hours” yet the same flight search returns options for non-direct flights for 6-8 hours flight times AT BEST with much much longer times some laughably even +1 day. So do what you want with your little airlines, crossing your fingers and misstating and bending facts does not give you a successful use of new routes. It’s actually laughable. One can only hope that United or JetBlue will see the gaping hole and take advantage of this obvious misstep. Otherwise, this will likely negatively affect tourism especially during non-peak travel times. And it seems to me, during the past decade Grand Cayman tourism has tried to foster shoulder seasons as great travel options. Not just for tourists but for real estate purchase … but perhaps tourism focus is now exclusively for those with private jets.
Bad move Jet Blue is terrible United is good but goes from Newark not JFK 500,000 people flew that route so it must be good and important
terribly sorry to see cayman airways leave jfk. our family has been flying with cal for more than a decade, since my kids were 3 years old to now being 14 and 17. cal provides a reasonable option for service to gcm, promoting tourism on the island, for those who stay over (buying real estate which we did, frequenting restaurants, using tour services, and purchasing merchandise) primarily families in the nyc metropolitan area. i cant think of a better use for cal then this heavy hitting ny and area market. this loss of cal will obviously result in less tourism to the islands (its impossible to suggest otherwise) as nyc is one of cal’s biggest market. the east coast frequents the Caribbean and it was likely cal and its nyc flight which put cayman on the map. i will truly miss cal and its great service from jfk and hope that they reconsider this decision after the jfk update.