Most efficient route to GCM from LAX? Sister islands?

[terramar]

We've made one trip to Grand Cayman and are looking to arrange another - either back to GC or perhaps the sister islands.

One thing that was frustrating in our first trip was trying to find good flights from LAX that minimize hassle and extra costs. On our way there, we ended up having to overnight at DFW - I don't really want to do that again. The return through MIA was easier, but sure seems inefficient (we were on American for both of those)

Does anyone have any recommendations?

I do have a southwest companion pass, at least through the end of the year, but i couldn't find a flight that could get us to FLL early enough for the flight to GCM - and a hotel in FLL sure cute into the cost savings of the companion pass.


All of this looks even more painful when considering Little Cayman or Cayman Brac. So I'd really love some thoughts there too, before I even consider those.

Thanks-

Tom

 

[flyboy08]

AA out of DFW?

Any hassle getting to the little islands will be worth all efforts!

 

[KathyV]

Cayman Airways has direct flights from several US airports to GCM, perhaps you could use your Southwest pass to get to one of those locations and then fly CA the rest of the way?

When are you planning to travel and how difficult is it to get to Denver from LAX? Starting March 2, 2019 Cayman Airways will offer direct flights from Denver to GCM, see the link below:

Cayman Air is Now Offering Direct Flights from Denver!

But you probably will not be able to get over to Little Cayman the same day even if flying from Denver because you would arrive too late in the evening. It might be possible to make it to Brac the same day - because they have a larger, lighted airport that takes bigger aircraft on Brac. Little Cayman only receives small planes (twin otters) flying during daylight hours. Some flights leave GCM for Brac as late as 6 pm and 7 pm so it may be cutting it close but it might work for you.

Cayman Airways also offers some flights direct from MIA to Cayman Brac (without stopping at GCM) during the high season.

During the high season, Cayman Airways (and United) also offer some direct, non-stop flights to and from ORD to GCM on Grand Cayman; if it is easier for you to find a flight to Chicago? Take a look at the Cayman Airways flight schedules at the link below to see if anything works for you.

It would make your trip longer and more expensive, but it isn't a terrible hardship to add on a couple of days to overnight on GC on your way to/from the sister islands.

Cayman Airways Flights Schedules | Cayman Airways Online Book Flights

 

[KathyV]

Just out of curiosity, I tried UA roundtrip from LAX to GCM, departing and returning on random Saturdays in February, and I found flights that left LAX at 6 am and arrived at GCM at 4:10 pm with a connection in Houston, see below.

The winter schedule for domestic interisland flights between GCM and the sister islands isn't out yet, but looking at the summer schedule there is a 7:10 pm flight from GCM to CYB on Saturday that arrives on Brac at 7:50 pm, see below (about $160 roundtrip).

So it appears to be possible to get from Los Angeles to one of the Cayman sister islands on the same day for about $1000 roundtrip) but it would be a long day of travel.

 

[muzikbiz22]

Make it easy on yourself. Starting October 25, Jetblue will go to GCM from FLL (lauderdale). Take Long Beach or LAX to FLL, FLL to GCM, simple easy.

 

[tkaelin]

You should have some reasonable options from LA. Take a redeye the night before, arrive at an east coast/FL airport in the early am and jump on a nonstoy flight down arriving by noon. You should be able to come back in the same day on the return. We flew our daughter down from Bozeman where she fly to West Coast then red eye to JFK then Jet Blue down. Arrived around 11 AM the next morning. On the return AA and arrived Bozeman same day mid afternoon. Rates were not that bad.