Maldivian Air: A Practical Review of Dash 8 Flights
The reviews of Maldivian Air are hard to come by, so if you’re curious about what to expect when traveling with this airline, look no further. In this review, we’ll provide insights into flying Maldivian Air from Male to Kooddoo aboard the Dash 8-300 and Dash 8-200 planes.
Table of Contents
About Maldivian Air
Maldivian Air, the national airline of the Maldives, plays a crucial role in connecting travelers to the enchanting islands of this tropical paradise. Most of the flights are inter-island flights.
The airline’s fleet consists primarily of De Havilland Canada turboprop aircrafts with all Economy seating. Only one plane, Airbus 320, offers Business Class seating. You can learn more about the fleet here.
While not offering extravagant luxuries, Maldivian Air focuses on delivering a reliable and functional service, prioritizing practicality over opulence. Passengers flying with Maldivian Air can expect a straightforward travel experience, where convenience and efficiency take center stage.
Our Experience
We flew Maldivian Air from Male to Kooddoo and back for our magnificent stay at Pullman Maldives.
Here is our experience:
Reservations
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re planning to stay at one of the incredible resorts in the Maldives, and reaching your destination involves taking an inter-island flight.
In most instances, the resorts take care of arranging the flights on behalf of their guests. This was the case for us as well. We did not have a choice what flight to take nor what seats we would be assigned. I, usually, meticulously pick our seats, so this was a strange experience, however, considering the short duration of the flight, we didn’t dwell on it too much.
Once we cleared the customs in Male, the resort representative escorted us to the lounge and then he picked us up when it was time to board the flight.
Moonimaa Lounge at Male Domestic Terminal
The lounge experience was rather underwhelming. It was quite crowded, to the extent that the lounge host had to “assign” seats for us due to limited space (the picture below was taken after most passengers were called to board their flights).
When it came to the breakfast options available at the buffet, there were a few choices to select from. I decided to try the pancakes, but unfortunately, they turned out to be quite dry and not as enjoyable as I had hoped.
Luggage Restrictions
The luggage restrictions were my main concern.
According to Maldivian Air website, the max weight for the checked in luggage is 20kg(~45lb), and both our suitcases were 50lb. Plus, since there is no overhead storage on Dash aircrafts, my carry on would also need to be checked in. I was dreading to see how much I would have to pay in overweight luggage charges.
Our resort rep confirmed my fears – our luggage was overweight, and (normally) we would have to pay up, but, after a brief exchange between the representative and the check-in agent, the weight issue was not even mentioned (we made sure to the rep well).
Although the resort representative did mention that we might have to pay for the overweight luggage on the return journey, the check-in agent for our flight back did not raise any concerns about our luggage, and I decided not to bring it up. YMMV, of course, so it’s best not to rely on the same outcome, but you might also get lucky!
Flight Experience
Our flight to Kooddoo was operated on the Dash-8 200, while the return flight utilized the Dash-8 300. The primary distinction between these two aircraft is the seating capacity, with the Dash-8 300 accommodating 50 passengers and the Dash-8 200 seating 37. However, the layout of both planes remains the same, featuring a 2×2 configuration with all economy seats. As I have mentioned earlier, there is no overhead storage.
In terms of legroom, it was pretty decent, providing a comfortable experience throughout the journey. There was no in-flight entertainment or Wi-Fi service. Also, no complimentary beverages or snacks were provided during our flights.
As expected with turboprop planes, they can get quite loud. You might want to pack noise-canceling headphones or earplugs. Not that they would actually block the noise, but at least you might be able to hear your thoughts.
Final Thoughts
While Maldivian Air may not offer a luxurious travel experience, it provides a practical and reliable option for exploring the Maldives.
By keeping in mind that the emphasis is on functionality rather than opulence, you can appreciate Maldivian Air for what it is. It serves as a reliable means of transportation, connecting you to the stunning beauty of the Maldives.
Enjoy your journey, take in the breathtaking sights, and create unforgettable memories in this tropical paradise. Safe travels!
