Cayman Airways

Cayman Airways is the national carrier of the Cayman Islands, flying out of Owen Roberts International in Grand Cayman on a network that leans towards the United States and the Caribbean, with connections up to Miami, New York and a handful of regional islands. It runs as a full-service airline rather than a low-cost one, so its jets carry a small forward premium cabin ahead of a straightforward economy.

The carrier is a compact operation with a loyal following among island residents and regular visitors, and it has built a reputation for a friendly, unhurried service that suits the routes it flies. For most travellers the seat decision is simple: whether the short-haul recliner up front is worth it, or which economy row suits a two to four hour hop across the region.

The mainline jet is the Boeing 737 MAX 8, a modern narrowbody that replaced the airline's older 737-300s and now handles the longer runs to the US mainland. It carries a two-cabin layout: a small business cabin of paired recliner seats at the front, then a single-aisle economy running back to the rear galley.

The MAX 8 is the quieter, more efficient member of a short fleet and turns up on the flagship city pairs. The forward cabin is a real step up in space rather than just a curtain, so the choice between classes matters on the longer sectors.

Business on the 737 MAX 8 is a short-haul recliner in a two-by-two arrangement, which means wider seats, a decent recline and no middle seat to negotiate. It is not a lie-flat product and it is not sold as one, but on a Miami or New York sector it buys space, an earlier boarding and a quieter part of the cabin.

Economy is a standard three-by-three narrowbody cabin with the usual trade-offs of a single-aisle jet: the front boards and clears fastest, the over-wing rows ride most smoothly, and the rear sits closest to the galley and toilets. Service across both cabins keeps the relaxed island tone the airline is known for.

If you want the most space, the forward business recliners are the seats to pick on the longer US sectors, where the extra width and recline earn their keep over a couple of hours. In economy, aim for a row over the wing towards the front for the steadiest ride and a quick exit.

Window seats on the sunny side can run warm on a midday Caribbean departure, so a shaded side or an aisle is worth a thought if you feel the heat. The last few rows sit by the rear galley and toilets and draw the most foot traffic, so skip them if a calmer flight matters to you.