How to get to | Maldives

This is part of a series of blog entries on how to get to countries and places. Here is a link to the index. I plan to eventually cover every country and some other places. If you have a request for a particular country or place please use the email me link at top right, or leave a comment.




Maldives

Source: Shahee Ilyas

The only practical way to visit Maldives is by air to Male (then boat or air to one of the islands). Airlines flying to Maldives include:

• Star Alliance - Austrian (seasonal), Singapore Airlines
• Oneworld - British Airways (starts October 2009)
• Sky Team -
• Other selected - Malaysian, Sri Lankan, Indian, Emirates, Qatar, some European low cost carriers

TIP Maldives are difficult to use on around the world tickets. On Star Alliance a long back-track to Singapore is required (except when Austrian operates a seasonal flight). On Oneworld (from October 2009) it will be possible to include Maldives but only with a surface sector between Male and Sri Lanka, India, Singapore or Malaysia.

TIP Similarly award tickets are difficult unless flying from Europe on Oneworld or Asia/Pacific on Star Alliance. Some programs will not allow the backtracking required from other origins.

TIP Several airlines operate a triangle flight with short hop between Male and Colombo in either or both directions connecting to a longhaul destination in Europe, Middle East or Asia. If fares to/from Male are high check them to/from Colombo instead with a separate ticket for the extra flight.

TIP With more than 70 resorts on the tiny islands business class discounted paid fares and awards go early.