Maldivian A330-200 Launches New Direct Melbourne-Malé Route, Cutting Travel Time

December 23, 2025 at 12:14 PM•2 min read

Maldivian and Luxury Escapes launch the first non-stop Melbourne-Malé service, solving 20+ hour stopovers and boosting Australian long-haul tourism.

Key Points

1First non-stop commercial service between Australia and the Maldives begins May 2026 from Melbourne Airport.
2The weekly Maldivian A330-200 charter cuts travel time from over 20 hours to approximately 11 hours.
3The 263-seat service is exclusive to Luxury Escapes customers booking bundled package deals, including 'cuddle class' options.
4Australia ranks among the Maldives' top ten long-haul markets, known for longer stays that boost the local tourism economy.

The long-awaited non-stop Australia Maldives travel route is now a reality. Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives, is partnering with Luxury Escapes for a new direct service. This Luxury Escapes Maldivian service will link Melbourne Airport (MEL) directly to Malé (MLE). The new Melbourne to Malé direct flight will begin in May 2026. This marks the first time an Australian travel company has chartered an entire direct airline service.

Significant Travel Time Savings

This new route offers saving hours of travel time for passengers. Current journeys from Australia to the Maldives require a stopover. These stops often occur in hubs like Singapore or Doha. Total travel time can exceed 20 hours, sometimes requiring an overnight stay. The new non-stop flight will take approximately 11 hours. The return leg is scheduled for just over ten hours.

This efficiency gives guests extra days for their Maldives dream getaway. The flight schedule is tailored for almost seven days on the ground. Flights depart Melbourne on Monday evenings. They arrive in Malé early Tuesday morning.

Aircraft and Service Details

The weekly seasonal charter service will use a widebody Airbus A330-200. This A330-200 widebody flights aircraft has 263 seats. The cabin is configured with two classes: Business and Economy.

There are 18 fully lie-flat seats in the Business cabin. The 246 Economy seats are arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration. Passengers can also book a complete row of four Economy seats. Luxury Escapes calls this unique offering 'cuddle class'.

Industry and Tourism Impact

This new service is a major development in commercial aviation news [https://flying.flights]. It is exclusively available as part of charter flight package deals. Return flights are bundled with accommodation and inclusions.

Maldivian Managing Director Ibrahim Iyas noted Australia's importance. Australia consistently ranks in the Maldives’ top ten long-haul markets. Australian long-haul tourism is known for longer stays. This contributes significantly to the wider tourism economy.

Luxury Escapes booking data shows strong demand. Hotel reservations to the Maldives are up 17 per cent. The average length of stay is between five and six nights. The initial service will run for six months, subject to Australian regulators approval. Future extensions to a permanent service depend on sustained demand. This direct link solidifies Melbourne Airport's role as a key hub for Australian travellers.