Maldivian Airlines, the Maldives’ national carrier, has achieved a historic milestone by launching direct flights between the Maldives and Australia. The airline’s A330 aircraft took off from Malé to Melbourne on Sunday night, marking the start of this significant route.

The airline called it “a proud moment for the Maldives.” Traditionally, flights from Melbourne to Malé involve stopovers in cities like Singapore, Colombo, Kuala Lumpur, or Dubai, with total travel times typically ranging from 15 to 20 hours. Longer journeys are common, with the overall travel time often exceeding the hours spent in the air.

However, the new non-stop route introduced by Maldivian, in partnership with the Australian travel agency Luxury Escapes, reduces the flight time to just 11 hours. This launch comes just ahead of the summer holiday season.

The weekly flights are operated by Maldivian’s Airbus A330, which features 18 fully lie-flat business class seats and 246 economy seats. 

Luxury Escapes is the exclusive booking partner for these direct flights. The service, named the Maldivian Luxury Escapes Express, offers passengers complimentary early check-in aligned with the flight’s arrival time, allowing guests to enjoy extra time on the ground before official check-in.