Indian Ocean

Flights to the Maldives

From the air, the atolls of the Maldives look like turquoise constellations. As you approach land, they’re more like emeralds, framed by ribbons of white sand. The Maldives is a must-visit destination for a reason – beloved by celebrities and remembered long after you’ve left, these islands might just be the most beautiful place on earth. Fly to the Maldives with British Airways for your most remarkable holiday yet.

Plan your trip to the Maldives

Our cheapest flights to the Maldives

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You’ve arrived in paradise

Landing at Malé airport doesn’t have to mean the end of the bird’s eye views.

Step on board a charming twin otter seaplane to transfer to your resort and enjoy one more panorama before landing on the beach. Most British Airways Maldives holiday packages include the price of your transfer, so you can have a smooth, stress-free journey into paradise – all paid for in advance. Plus, our generous luggage allowance ensures you can take enough clothing to last a nice long stay – you deserve it.

Sadly, British Airways also flies back from the Maldives. You will have to leave eventually – at least until your next holiday.

Whether you choose economy or business class flights, travel in comfort when you book with us.

Plan your trip to the Maldives

Flight time

10 hrs

Time zone

GMT +5

Currency

Maldivian Rufiyaa

Maldives flight FAQs

You can fly direct from Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Velana International Airport (MLE – also known as Malé International Airport) in around ten hours. If you’re flying with Qatar Airways, you will change planes at Doha.

November to March is peak season in the Maldives. The weather is lovely as the dry season rolls around and people flock to escape the winter months – plus you can fly direct with British Airways. However, because it’s such a popular time, flight prices can rise accordingly – especially around Christmas and New Year. Throughout the rest of the year you can generally find more inexpensive, indirect flights with our partner airline, Qatar Airways. Look out for cheap flights to Maldives after May, in the low season.

The first thing you’ll notice about Malé Airport is that it isn’t on Malé. You’ll land on Hulhule island next door, where a fleet of speedboats and seaplanes await. You would do best to book your transfer in advance – and your resort will help with this. Seaplane transfers offer fantastic views and are used for more distant resorts. Speedboat transfers are often the faster option. When you book your hotel on ba.com, you’ll see which transfer type applies to your resort.

It’s not a silly question. Officially, the Maldives all runs on one time zone: five hours ahead of GMT. However, some resorts have unofficial time zones so that guests can enjoy longer evenings. Resorts might be 30 minutes, an hour or an hour and a half ahead of Maldives Time (MHT). Check with your resort. Malé, the capital, sticks with Maldives Time.

You can book a hand baggage-only ticket or make the most of our generous baggage allowance. If you choose economy standard or one of our British Airways Holidays’ packages, each passenger can check in a bag weighing up to 23kg – in addition to a handbag, laptop case or other small bag. Families travelling in any cabin with younger children can also check in one car seat and one fully collapsible pushchair. Read more about baggage allowances for children.

If you’re flying in our business cabin, you can check in two bags weighing up to 32kg each. Read our baggage guide for full details.

British Nationals will be issued a visa on arrival in the Maldives. Your visa will cover up to 30 days’ holiday. You may need to show that you have a departure date booked, and sometimes that you have enough funds to cover your stay.

Find out more about visa requirements

Discover outstanding service from the moment you book. Fly with just hand baggage and you can carry two bags free of charge. Choose our checked baggage option and you can travel with hand baggage and a 23kg bag checked into the hold, plus enjoy free seat selection 24 hours before you fly. On board you’ll find HEPA-filtered air, quality on-board catering, and a warm, uniquely British welcome.

Simply relax and let us take care of you, every step of the way.

Our cabins

All our cabins offer an excellent – and uniquely British – experience. Choose your perfect way to fly, from economy to First.

Economy

Our World Traveller cabin offers all the touches you need to enjoy your flight at an affordable price.

World Traveller

Premium economy

Discover our World Traveller Plus cabin and treat yourself to a wider seat and more legroom in a separate, quieter cabin.

World Traveller Plus

Business

Work or relax in our Club World cabin and enjoy lounge access, a dedicated check-in area and fully flat beds for a restful sleep.

Club World

First

Choose First to enjoy a range of comforts, from fine dining to your own private suite and access to our elegant departure lounges.

First

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Plan your trip to the Maldives

Terms and conditions

  • Flight only prices are updated every 24 hours and are accurate when published. Flights at these prices are limited and may sell out quickly.
  • Package holiday prices (flight + hotel or flight + car) prices are updated every 24 to 48 hours and are accurate when published and may vary upon reaching subsequent pages. Availability may be extremely limited particularly during peak periods.
  • Return fares displayed are the lowest adult return prices in the cabin specified including taxes, fees and carrier charges, based on a 7-day return journey.
  • Each–way fares displayed are the lowest adult each-way prices in the cabin specified based on the lowest adult return prices for a 7 day travel period, including all taxes, fees and carrier charges available in this period.
  • One-way fares displayed are the lowest adult prices in the cabin specified including taxes, fees and carrier charges available in this period.
  • Package holiday prices (flight + hotel and flight + car) shown are in GBP per person based on 2 adults sharing one room or one car and prices include taxes, fees and carrier charges unless otherwise specified. Flight + car prices based on drivers aged 30-70 years.
  • Additional charges will be applied for payments made using a corporate credit card.
  • Advertised fares are available on ba.com. Additional charges may apply if purchased through British Airways outlets or travel agents.
  • Combine and save on Holidays: Guaranteed savings are only available when booking a Flight + Hotel or Flight + Car booking including one land product, it does not apply to a ‘Customise your trip’ holiday including more than one hotel and / or car.
  • Package holidays are protected under British Airways Holidays Ltd by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 5985.
  • Standard British Airways terms and conditions apply