Here's an article and a letter from CAY about the recent delays:
Reduced fleet leads to Cayman Airways delays | Cayman Compass
http://cayman27.ky/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2019/08/CAL-PSA-August-6-2019.docx
Tips for dealing with Cayman Airways customer service?
- Thread starter Gina Flacco
- Start date
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Here's an article and a letter from CAY about the recent delays:
Reduced fleet leads to Cayman Airways delays | Cayman Compass
http://cayman27.ky/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2019/08/CAL-PSA-August-6-2019.docx
morecowbells
Contributor
I hope you post a follow up to your situation. I wonder if trip insurance would even cover your out of pocket costs; being a mechanical issue, the insurer may leave it up to the airline to reconcile your costs. I will be headed to Cayman Brac in Oct. I hope they have the mechanical kinks worked out soon. Hopefully the sister islands will also pressure Cayman Airways to do right by their customers, especially if it is going to deter repeat or future visitors from visiting the islands.
Doctorfish
Contributor
The grounding of the max 8s has nothing to do with the terrible service on Cayman Express to/from the sister islands. Their planes are very very old. The Otters have got to be at least 30 years old and the Saabs are probably 20+. I was on a Cayman Express flight last week when a passenger sitting down noticed her seat was broken. The plane was not full and she could have easily have been moved but the pilot called for maintenance and we sat on the tarmac for well over an hour in the heat while they filed paperwork re the broken seat and seemed to be having a discussion about it. Finally, a senior pilot from the other Saab came on board, pulled out a "seat reserved" sign, put it on the broken seat and loudly said to our pilot, "how long are you going to sit on the ground over a non issue". Another 30 minutes of paperwork in the heat and we finally took off. This was on a day when they were already many hours late with the schedule and there were passengers eventually left stranded on the Brac.
These passengers were put up at Brac Beach resort overnight but they missed their connection back to US. Don't know if they were reimbursed but they sure were pissed off that night at the bar.
I've personally had no end of aggravation from Cayman Express but unfortunately they are the only game in town ever since they, through the government, pushed Island Air off that route.
IMO the sister islands will never be developed unless the government improves the transportation issues. Maybe it's better that way.
I know that people will say it's the airline, not the government, but isn't Cayman Airways a crown corporation.
I love the sister islands but dread getting there and back.
These passengers were put up at Brac Beach resort overnight but they missed their connection back to US. Don't know if they were reimbursed but they sure were pissed off that night at the bar.
I've personally had no end of aggravation from Cayman Express but unfortunately they are the only game in town ever since they, through the government, pushed Island Air off that route.
IMO the sister islands will never be developed unless the government improves the transportation issues. Maybe it's better that way.
I know that people will say it's the airline, not the government, but isn't Cayman Airways a crown corporation.
I love the sister islands but dread getting there and back.
keyshunter
Contributor
Cayman Airways has always been heavily subsidized by the Cayman government. In recent years they have shown a small profit--very small and very seldom. Some years ago. Island Air had the Grand to Sister Islands route and were charging about $160US round trip. When Cayman Airways decided that they wanted the Sister Islands route, they leased 2 Twin Otters and posted a fare of $99US, which they kept until Island Air gave up the route. Then they immediately increased their fare.
caydiver
Contributor
My thought is that Cayman Express while under the wing of Cayman Airways is more like a small commuter service of which there are many all over the world. There are many folks whose daily jobs mean travel to the Sisters more than once or perhaps even several times a week. They are even more dependent than visitors. I say this only to point out that it is not just tourists who have to deal with this. I would make sure I had several hours when having to make a connection. Even spend the last night on GC, go out for a nice dinner, chill and have no worries. We had similar experiences in Australia and the Midwest US. Commuter airlines are different. While it is totally frustrating, if you are smart and plan ahead, you can avoid the hassles Cayman Airways does not have the money to make changes and the grounding of the other planes has hit the parent company hard in the pocketbook so it definitely has an impact even though the equipment is not used on those routes. CA cannot replace what they have now, and hopefully will continue not put up a piece of equipment if there is any question, so passengers should try to make plans accordingly if a delay is going to cause them hardship. Not saying it is good service, but if you know about it beforehand and you still choose to use it and not make any modifications to your plans, I just don’t get it. We all value our precious holiday time. There are ways to end it on a high note when there are potential well known issues that might affect your plans. Be proactive before you are inconvenienced rather than ruining your holiday on a bad note followed by months of frustration. We ended many a holiday a day early as for one of us the workday started at 1am. Because of the probably of delays across the board we travelled on Saturday not Sunday even though it meant giving up a day wherever we were traveling from. It was better for us than the alternative.
AggieDiver
Contributor
I hope I am not jinxing myself by saying this, but we have never had any issues at all with Cayman Airways Express. Flights have always been on-time (or within about 10 mins or so), and the only time our baggage didn't make it, it was because United left it in Houston.
Doctorfish
Contributor
Caydiver, I'm not sure I get your point. Hard to be proactive about being marooned on the wrong island and missing your flight. I do agree that one must make accommodations and I always try to leave 3 hours between arriving/departing GC and the sister islands flights. Also, I never book the last flight of the day as if it gets cancelled the outcome is obvious. I travel on commuters all the time in Canada and the US and they are mostly on time or near time.
Given your point that many Caymanians rely on the Cayman Express to commute and that the sister islands are putatively important to the country, I'm always amazed the government doesn't work to ensure better service for it's citizens.
Given your point that many Caymanians rely on the Cayman Express to commute and that the sister islands are putatively important to the country, I'm always amazed the government doesn't work to ensure better service for it's citizens.
al248005
Contributor
We were delayed 2 years ago which caused us to miss the flight from GC to Brac. Neither flight was full and they knew we had a close connection and we literally watched them load the plane in the customs line and a whole 4 ppl got on it and took off without us. When we went to the desk they charged each of us an additional $200 to get on the next flight (that wasn't full). Cayman Air is the only reason I really could care less to go back to the islands. Great diving and great people just not so great with travel. On the flight to the Brac they lost 2 or 3 peoples luggage in our group which didn't allow them to dive the next day because they didn't get their luggage until 6 that evening. Everyone there was like "Don't worry...be happy your on vacation itll be alright." Unfortunately they kinda forget how much we are paying each day to dive there.
We also try to avoid close connections to/from the Sister Islands, but sometimes there isn't any option. I haven't used this service yet, but if I am ever stuck with a close connection - especially during a traditionally busy time/day/season - I would consider trying it, because missing your flight really stinks.
The GCM Airport offers a Meet and Greet Service for a fee, see the link below. My understanding is that they will escort you to the head of the lines and usher you through quickly, and when feasible they will hold the commuter flight for you, and will try to make sure that your bags get onboard.
Meet and Greet Service – CEO’s Welcome
Doctorfish
Contributor
I've used the meet and greet which essentially allows you to bypass the line at immigration. They take you through the Citizens/Residents line instead.You still need to wait for bags, check in at Cayman Express and go through security at your own pace. There was no evidence of potential for holding a flight or expediting baggage loading. Still of value if connection is tight but, KathyV, I believe you are overestimating what this service can do for you.
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