Question Getting to the Maldives from the US

[cetacean]

We went from Boston to London, and spent a week exploring London.

Then we flew London > Paris > Sri Lanka > Male.

We only fly business class nowadays, getting too old to tolerate 16 hours in economy or even economy plus. We arrived in Male well rested and feeling good.

On the way home we spent a couple of days in Male. What a mistake, it's an industrial wasteland interspersed with hotels and restaurants. One night would have been fine. We were hot and sweaty after the long boat ride back into Male, I would have hated to board a long flight home feeling that grimy.

I looked at traveling west to the Maldives instead of going through Europe. Traveling west was considerably more expensive.

Three things:

1. We made a similar error the first time we visited the Maldives (~20 yrs ago). We spent one night in downtown Male. Definitely not worth it... BTW - there are a couple of resorts within 30-ish minute boat rides that are used quite often for people who have an early or late flight out of Male.

2. After that first mistake, we starting choosing flights that either landed in the morning, or left Male in the evening, so we wouldn't need to overnight there again. A few years later They bult the Hulhule Island Hotel, which is now on the same island as the airport (no boat ride). This is where the international flight crews stay. We've stayed a couple of times... for a night (or even two) it's reasonable (actually, it's reasonably priced and the food is good). It's likely one of the nicer "airport hotels" around the world.

3. Last, traveling east vs. west to get to the Maldives from the US, traveling west (in business class) is likely going to be more expensive, unless your trip timing matches up with when United biz class fares to Singapore are low. Also, flying Singapore Airlines premium economy on the 4 hour flight from Singapore to Male is easy and comfortable, which reduces the cost as well.

Having said this - the cheapest business class from the US to Singapore is usually on StarLux (through TPE). They have been flying for 5 years, the planes are nice, service is reasonable, and they price under most of the long haul Asian carriers.

We've stopped in Sri Lanka as well, because we wanted to spend some time there. Interesting country with some very nice beaches.

 

[Blackcrusader]

Having said this - the cheapest business class from the US to Singapore is usually on StarLux (through TPE). They have been flying for 5 years, the planes are nice, service is reasonable, and they price under most of the long haul Asian carriers.

It's also one of the best business classes around. I live in Taiwan but have a China Airlines co branded credit card that earns miles. So I fly China Airlines business class from Taiwan to Singapore then economy on Singapore Airlines to Male. As it's a night flight on my time zone I just watch a movie or doze off.

I've been lucky to have myself in the aisle and one window passenger or had a whole row to myself as I tend to go in low season on Singapore Airlines. China Airlines business class is also very good.

 

[Volleyball]

We went from Boston to London, and spent a week exploring London.

Then we flew London > Paris > Sri Lanka > Male.

We only fly business class nowadays, getting too old to tolerate 16 hours in economy or even economy plus. We arrived in Male well rested and feeling good.

On the way home we spent a couple of days in Male. What a mistake, it's an industrial wasteland interspersed with hotels and restaurants. One night would have been fine. We were hot and sweaty after the long boat ride back into Male, I would have hated to board a long flight home feeling that grimy.

I looked at traveling west to the Maldives instead of going through Europe. Traveling west was considerably more expensive.

Did you dive Sri Lanka and how did you like it? Our first time in the Maldives was in May 2024 we had 3 straight days of our South Ari speedboat being canceled. Every day we dove in Hulhumale stayed in each night stayed in Male (which sucked, wish we just stayed in Hulhumale) but Male is where the South Ari speed boat departed from. We gave up on South Ari and considered flying into Fuvahmulah then to Sri Lanka but met another diving couple while diving in Hulhumale who convinced us to join them in North Male. We both have United status, our general rule is we won't fly 10+ hour unless it's in lie flats

 

[cetacean]

Did you dive Sri Lanka and how did you like it? Our first time in the Maldives was in May 2024 we had 3 straight days of our South Ari speedboat being canceled. Every day we dove in Hulhumale stayed in each night stayed in Male (which sucked, wish we just stayed in Hulhumale) but Male is where the South Ari speed boat departed from. We gave up on South Ari and considered flying into Fuvahmulah then to Sri Lanka but met another diving couple while diving in Hulhumale who convinced us to join them in North Male. We both have United status, our general rule is we won't fly 10+ hour unless it's in lie flats

@Volleyball

General lesson for the Maldives - if where you are trying to go is outside your current atoll you should plan for either delays or cancellations. There are almost no times of year where travel between atolls is guaranteed.

If you wanted to dive South Ari atoll, did you consider staying in one of the (many) South Ari atoll resorts?

 

[Doc Harry]

Did you dive Sri Lanka and how did you like it?

No diving on Sri Lanka

 

[NothingClever]

Having flown in and out of the Middle East at least a couple of times every year for over a decade, I'd jump at the chance for a layover in Istanbul to get out and see some sights.

Whatever seating you choose, make sure to force yourself to get up and walk about to keep your blood circulating.

Deep vein thrombosis (aka leg clots) are no joke.

Business class is at less risk because of the reclining seats.

Understanding Your Risk for Blood Clots with Travel

Learn about your risk for blood clots with travel.

www.cdc.gov