Cayman Airways Named Caribbean's Leading Airline 2026, and Celebrates Nomination for World’s Leading Airline

October 14, 2026

Cayman Airways Limited (CAL) has been named Caribbean's Leading Airline 2026 at the prestigious World Travel Awards, marking a historic achievement for the National Airline of the Cayman Islands. The award was presented at the World Travel Awards Caribbean & The Americas Gala Ceremony in Jamaica on Sunday, 11 October 2026.

The achievement is particularly notable as 2026 marked Cayman Airways' first-ever nomination in the Caribbean's Leading Airline category, making its debut a winning one.

Adding to the significance of this milestone, Cayman Airways has also been nominated for the first time for World's Leading Airline 2026, placing the airline alongside internationally renowned carriers, including Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, British Airways, Air New Zealand and Turkish Airlines. As the only Caribbean-based airline among the nominees, Cayman Airways' inclusion in the global category represents another significant milestone in its growing international recognition and reinforces its ability to compete for distinction on the world stage.

Cayman Airways President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Fabian Whorms, attended the gala ceremony in Jamaica to accept the award on behalf of the airline. He was accompanied by Mr. Ivan Forbes, Vice President of Airport Passenger and Cargo Services, and Mrs. Carol Nugent, Regional Airport Operations Manager, Caribbean and Latin America.

Often described as the Oscars of the travel industry, the World Travel Awards are internationally recognised for celebrating excellence across the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. With winners determined through votes cast by travel industry professionals and the travelling public, the accolade represents a significant endorsement of Cayman Airways' service, reputation, and standing within the Caribbean aviation industry.

Mr. Whorms described the win as a proud milestone in the airline's nearly six decades of service. He stated: “To be named the Caribbean's Leading Airline in our very first year of being nominated is an extraordinary honour, and one that means a great deal to all of us at Cayman Airways. As a relatively small national airline competing on an international stage, this achievement is proof that our commitment to service excellence and authentic Caymanian hospitality can stand among the very best in the region. I am immensely proud of our Cayman Airways family, whose hard work and dedication have made this possible, and I’m deeply grateful to our customers for their continued loyalty and support. This award belongs to all of them.”

Mr. Whorms added that being nominated for World's Leading Airline alongside some of the most respected names in international aviation is another extraordinary honour. “It is especially meaningful for an airline of our size, and reinforces our belief that our commitment to excellence, high standards and uniquely Caymanian hospitality can earn recognition well beyond our shores,” he said. “We are immensely proud to represent the Cayman Islands on this global stage.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism and Trade Development, the Hon. Gary Rutty, welcomed the award as a significant achievement for Cayman Airways and the wider Cayman Islands tourism industry. He stated: “Cayman Airways is far more than just an airline. It is a strategic national asset and an essential partner in the development and continued success of our tourism industry. Its role in maintaining and expanding air connectivity supports visitor arrivals, and contributes significantly to our economy. International recognition of this calibre strengthens the credibility and competitiveness of the Cayman Islands as a preferred tourism destination, and underscores Cayman Airways’ role within our national tourism strategy. I am very proud of Cayman Airways for continuing to elevate and enhance the traveler experience, and I commend the management and Board of Directors, staff and crew members for their stellar efforts in earning this well-deserved recognition.”

The Hon. Deputy Premier added that the airline's nomination for World's Leading Airline further demonstrates the international standing of Cayman Airways and provides another opportunity to showcase the Cayman Islands on the global tourism stage.

World Travel Awards Founder, Mr. Graham E. Cooke, congratulated the airline on its historic achievement, highlighting the wider international significance of the win.

“Congratulations to Cayman Airways on being voted ‘Caribbean’s Leading Airline 2026’. This is a special achievement and a proud moment for the airline’s team and the Cayman Islands. As the national airline, Cayman Airways represents the Cayman Islands to travellers across its network. This award provides an opportunity to showcase both the airline and its home destination to an international audience. The accolade reflects the support Cayman Airways has earned among our voters and provides a platform to build on that recognition.”

Since its establishment in 1968, Cayman Airways has grown into an internationally recognised airline while remaining true to its uniquely Caymanian identity and its brand promise that every Cayman Islands vacation begins the moment passengers step on board. The World Travel Awards victory builds on an impressive record of recent accolades, including being named among the world's top 15 international airlines in Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards 2024 and earning APEX Four Star Major Airline recognition in both 2025 and 2026. Closer to home, Cayman Airways has earned multiple gold awards in the Best of Cayman Islands Awards, winning Best Customer Service for two consecutive years, and Best Place to Work and Best Cargo/Logistics for three consecutive years. Together, these achievements reflect the airline's ongoing commitment to excellence, internationally, regionally, and within the Cayman community.

Voting for World's Leading Airline 2026 is now open and customers, employees, industry partners, Cayman Islands residents and supporters worldwide can help Cayman Airways pursue another historic achievement. Votes can be cast through the official World Travel Awards website at www.worldtravelawards.com/vote. Voters must register for an account, verify their email address and log in to cast their vote. Voting is scheduled to close on 30 October 2026.

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About Cayman Airways

Since 1968, Cayman Airways has been serving as the national flag carrier of the Cayman Islands, providing dependable connectivity between Grand Cayman and leading gateways in the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America. The award-winning airline operates a fleet of modern Boeing 737-8 jets and domestic aircraft, combining reliable schedules with warm, uniquely Caymanian hospitality. For leisure, corporate, and VFR travelers, Cayman Airways offers convenient timings, competitive fares, and baggage policies designed for island travel. Trade partners benefit from full GDS access, BSP settlement, responsive group handling, and dedicated support for series, charters, and MICE. With almost 60 years of destination expertise, Cayman Airways is the premier airline of choice for travel, to, from, and between the beautiful Cayman Islands. To learn more, visit www.caymanairways.com and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

About the World Travel Awards

The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward, and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries. Today, the awards are recognized globally as a hallmark of industry leadership, with winners selected through an international voting process that includes both travel professionals and consumers. The program spans regional and global categories, highlighting outstanding brands, destinations, and service providers that set new benchmarks for quality and innovation.

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Q&A - Cayman Airways Wins Caribbean's Leading Airline 2026

1. Which airlines have previously won the World Travel Award for Caribbean's Leading Airline?

Previous winners include Bahamasair (2020–2025), Caribbean Airlines (2010–2019), Air Jamaica (1998–2009), BWIA International Airways (1995–1997) and American Airlines (1994). Cayman Airways joins this distinguished group of past winners as the 2026 recipient, marking a historic first for the national airline of the Cayman Islands.

2. Which airline held the Caribbean's Leading Airline title before Cayman Airways?

Bahamasair held the title for six consecutive years, from 2020 to 2025. Cayman Airways' historic 2026 victory ended that winning streak, making it the first new winner in the category since 2020.

3. How does the World Travel Award for Caribbean's Leading Airline differ from Caribbean's Leading Airline Brand?

Caribbean's Leading Airline is a prestigious distinction recognising excellence in overall airline performance, service quality and the passenger experience across the Caribbean region. Caribbean's Leading Airline Brand, by comparison, places greater emphasis on brand reputation, recognition and customer perception. Both are separate categories at the World Travel Awards, with Caribbean's Leading Airline representing a broader recognition of an airline's overall excellence.

4. What do Cayman Airways' World Travel Awards achievements mean for the Cayman Islands?

The airline's Caribbean victory and nomination for World's Leading Airline 2026 are sources of national pride, providing opportunities to further raise the international profile of both Cayman Airways and the Cayman Islands as a premier tourism destination. Beyond recognising the airline's contribution to tourism and air connectivity, these distinctions help strengthen awareness, trust and confidence among international travellers, particularly those who may be considering Cayman Airways for the first time. Recognition from an internationally respected organisation also reinforces the Cayman Islands' reputation for quality, service excellence and authentic hospitality and experiences.

5. What do Cayman Airways' World Travel Awards achievements say about its competitiveness in regional and international aviation?

Cayman Airways' recognition as Caribbean's Leading Airline 2026, together with its nomination for World's Leading Airline, demonstrates that a relatively small national carrier can compete for recognition alongside established airlines both regionally and internationally. These distinctions build on Cayman Airways’ growing record of international recognition, further reinforcing its reputation for service excellence, high standards in safety, a modern jet fleet, and a distinctive, uniquely Caymanian passenger experience.

6. What does Cayman Airways' World Travel Award mean for travellers choosing a Caribbean-based airline?

For travellers, the award provides an additional point of reference when choosing a Caribbean-based airline for their travel needs. Backed by votes from travel professionals and the travelling public, the recognition highlights Cayman Airways' strong reputation for excellence and provides an additional measure of confidence for travellers, particularly those discovering Cayman Airways for the first time.

7. Which airlines is Cayman Airways competing against for World's Leading Airline 2026?

Cayman Airways is one of 19 airlines nominated for World's Leading Airline 2026 at the World Travel Awards, alongside major international carriers including Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, British Airways, Air New Zealand and Turkish Airlines. Cayman Airways is the only Caribbean-based airline nominated in this prestigious global category. For the full list of nominees, visit this link: https://www.worldtravelawards.com/award-worlds-leading-airline-2026

8. How can supporters vote for Cayman Airways as World's Leading Airline 2026?

Supporters can vote for Cayman Airways in the World's Leading Airline 2026 category through the official World Travel Awards website at www.worldtravelawards.com/vote. Voters must register for an account, verify their email address, and log in to cast their vote. Voting is currently scheduled to close on 30 October 2026.