Cayman Airways has been named one of the world’s top airlines.

Travel critic Richard Bangs listed it as one of his eight favourites, alongside Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Cathay Pacific, Turkish Airlines, LAN Airlines, and Emirates.

The airline provides travel to and from the Cayman Islands, one of Bermuda’s rival offshore jurisdictions.

Mr Bangs praised it in an article he wrote for the Huffington Post.

He said he was especially delighted to find that Cayman Airways allowed two free checked bags, which he called “the exception these days”.

The famous complimentary rum punch served on every Cayman Airways jet flight was another draw for the travel critic, as he noted: “It is also the only carrier I’ve ever flown that offers rum punch on the service tray.”

Cayman Airways president and CEO, Fabian Whorms, said: “We are delighted to be part of this important listing, which puts the spotlight on all the incredible hard work of our Cayman Airways family, who always go the extra mile to provide a superior service for all our customers, travel critics or not.” Mr Bangs flew Cayman Airways in 2012 and his subsequent report from that trip is included in his most recent article on his pick of the world’s top eight airlines.

The travel critic conceded that BushCat, which rounded out his top eight, is an aircraft rather than an airline. He said it made it to his top eight as it is the perfect plane if you want an experience in the African Bush.

The Huffington Post article can be found at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/richard-bangs/richards-picks-the-eight_b_5923622.html