The Cayman Islands Celebrates Inaugural Southwest Airlines Flight
Jun 06, 2017
The Cayman Islands Celebrates Inaugural Southwest Airlines Flight
from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Cayman with Festive Gate Party & In-Flight Fun
Special Guests, Exciting Giveaways and Live Entertainment Surprise & Delight Passengers
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, June 5, 2017 – On Sunday, June 4, 2017, the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism (CIDOT) proudly celebrated the start of Southwest Airlines’ daily nonstop service from Fort Lauderdale—Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM) with a surprise flight gate party at the southern Florida airport, followed by continued festivities in Grand Cayman upon the inaugural flight’s arrival.
Southwest Airlines’ Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Mark Shaw, together with Miss Cayman Islands, Anika Conolly, kicked off the celebrations with an honorary ribbon cutting ceremony at the gate at FLL, signifying the start of the new daily flight service. Unsuspecting travellers were showered with Cayman’s vibrant island spirit and rich local heritage as elements of the destination’s two most beloved on-island events, Pirates Week and Carnival Batabano, came to life right before their eyes with live entertainment and dancing. Rounding out the festivities were destination-inspired giveaways and refreshments for passengers to enjoy prior to the inaugural flight, including Blackbeards Rum Cakes and miniature stingray plush toys.
During the flight, guests were given the special “Caymankind” treatment as they travelled to Grand Cayman, soaking up everything from energetic Cayman Carnival dancers to enticing gifts and giveaways such as complimentary admission to various on-island attractions and even free return two-night stays. But the revelry didn’t end there, as key Southwest Airlines executives and local island performers, along with Ms. Conolly, warmly greeted the passengers immediately after deplaning on the GCM airport tarmac. Exemplifying the destination’s unmatched hospitality, travellers were delighted as they were escorted into the Cayman Islands’ airport with a parade of excitement and high energy surrounding them, providing an unforgettable beginning to their Cayman adventure.
“We are so thrilled to welcome Southwest Airlines as our newest airline partner and introduce daily nonstop service from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Cayman, a key U.S. market for us,” said Mrs. Rosa Harris, Director of Tourism. “We couldn’t imagine a more fitting way to celebrate this exciting new alliance and enhanced accessibility to our destination than with a special ‘Caymankind’ tribute to our loyal guests. This launch helped to set the stage for what we can only hope will be the first of many more memorable visits to our shores.”
“The airline with heart now brings our world-famous hospitality with wide-reaching smiles to the limitless sand and sea horizon of Grand Cayman,” said Mark Shaw, Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Southwest Airlines. “A Caymankind journey on Southwest® brings the compounded value of excellent customer service on comfortable planes coupled with low fares, alongside our industry-unique combination of bags fly free and no change fees for everyone. We are honored to make the Cayman Islands the tenth country served by Southwest, America’s largest airline.”
The new route, effective immediately, provides a convenient vacation escape for discerning travellers in the South Florida area. Utilizing a Boeing 737-700 aircraft, flight WN 1215 departs FLL daily at 11:45 a.m. and arrives to Grand Cayman at 12:20 p.m. The return flight, WN 1216 leaves GCM at 1:15 p.m. and arrives to Fort Lauderdale at 4:00 p.m.
Photo: Passengers on the inaugural Southwest flight to Grand Cayman pose with Batabano Carnival dancer and Pirates Week Festival representatives
Photo: (L-R) Tom Ludington, U.S. General Manager Department of Tourism; Batabano Dancer; Mark Shaw Southwest General Counsel & Corporate Secretary; Anika Conolly, Miss Cayman Islands 2017; and Brad Hawkins Senior Advisor – Communication Southwest
Photo: Executives and flight crew from Southwest along with Cayman Islands Tourism and Aviation officials celebrate the arrival of the first flight to Grand Cayman
About the Cayman Islands
Located 480 miles south of Miami in the vibrant tranquillity of western Caribbean, this trio of tiny islands is a premier destination for discriminating travellers, divers, honeymooners and families. World-renowned for its idyllic beaches and recognised as a sophisticated, diverse and memorable tourist destination, the Cayman Islands offers spectacular recreational opportunities along with warm, impeccable service. To learn more about the Cayman Islands, please go to visitcaymanislands.com or w
From large-group trips and business-focused getaways to ultra-luxurious escapes and multi-generational family vacations, the Cayman Islands provides every element needed to keep guests coming back for more. With an abundance of world-class dining options, a host of adventure activities – including snorkelling, diving, jet skiing, caving, and nature trails – and a variety of meeting spaces for groups large and small, the Cayman Islands is well-poised to host any type of traveller or special occasion.
About Southwest Airlines
In its 46th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 54,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually. Southwest proudly operates a network of 101 destinations in the United States and eight additional countries with more than 3,900 departures a day during peak travel season. Book Southwest Airlines” low fares online at Southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.
This material is distributed by Coyne on behalf of the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC.
