Trans Maldivian Airways runs the propellor plane network of transfers between the various islands of the Republic of the Maldives. The experience of flying over the coral atolls of the maldives is a special one and likely one that you will not quickly forget. Our return trip from The W Maldives back to Male Noovilu Sea Plane terminal afforded us similar views, along with a great adventure travel experience.

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This post is one chapter on my trip to the Republic of the Maldives. This trip was enhanced through Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan and Air Canada’s Aeroplan. For more information on how this trip was booked, please see our trip introduction. For other parts of the trip, please see this index.

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Review: Trans Maldivian Airways De Havilland Twin Otter, W Maldives – Malé Noovilu Sea Plane Terminal

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We enjoyed a five day stay at The W Maldives. Today’s departing flight from The W Maldives had us returning to Malé Noovilu Sea Plane Terminal. We would then connect onwards to another Trans Maldivian Airways seaplane flight from Malé to the St Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort.

Checking into Trans Maldivian Airways:

The W Maldives Resort handled all the check in procedures for this flight. We didn’t get a boarding card or other boarding document. Our bags were transferred from the room directly to the arrival and departure jetty.

Our bags were put out at 9:45 AM to be ready for a 10:15 AM departure on the sea plane. The Trans Maldivian Airways Twin Otter arrived on time and parked at the arrival pontoon.

The Safety Briefing:

Boarding Trans Maldivian Airways:

When it came time to board, we boarded the De Havilland Twin Otter. Seating on Trans Maldivian Airways (and almost every other floatplane that I know of) is in a single class of service in a 1 – 2 configuration.

There isn’t a lot of ventilation within the cabin. The climate control consisted of a single spinning fan with cautionary tales of not getting your hair stuck in the spinning fan blades.

For aviation fans, it’s easy to get a look into the Twin Otter Cockpit. There isn’t typically a door and you can peer inside to see the cockpit itself.

Trans Maldivian Airways
WWW – Malé (W Maldives – Male Noovilu Sea Plane Terminal)
TMA Flight 142
Flown: March 14, 2023
Departure: 10:15 AM
Arrival: 11:00 AM
Booked: DeHavilland Twin Otter
Flown: DeHavilland Twin Otter

Flying a Sea Plane over the Maldives:

The return journey from the W Maldives to Malé offered equally as enticing and picturesque views over the Maldives.

We had our last views of The W Maldives as we departed and climbed to altitude from the North Ari Atoll.

We started off on a track in a North East East direction. Almost instantly, we were treated to views of the colours of the atolls of the Maldives.

We would also enjoy a look at the luxurious resorts along the way, marked by wonderful over water villas.

The sights of the atolls of the Maldives are truly special. There isn’t anywhere in the world that has colourful atolls so easily viewed from the air such as this.

We descended into Malé as the atolls got closer and closer to the cabin. The idea of being able to visit these isolated atolls by boat is truly unique to this world.

We descended into Malé Noovilu Sea Plane Terminal, with even closer views of the the shores and islands of the Maldives as we descended. Seated in the second row, we had a peek – a – boo view into the cockpit as we descended into Malé.

We had a smooth touch down on the water on the shores of Malé, and had a short taxi into the Noovilu Sea Plane terminal. It’s always a picturesque landing surrounded by Twin Otter Sea Planes bobbing in the water.

We disemarked our short Trans Maldivian Airways flight. We would transfer onwards to a second Trans Maldivian Airways Malé – St Regis Maldives Vommuli flight.

My Thoughts on Trans Maldivian Airways:

It’s always a special experience to fly on a propeller plane and it’s even more special doing so over the Maldives.

On your route, you’ll get the opportunity to view gorgeous coral atolls. In terms of travelling, what could be more wonderful than that ?

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If you’ve flown Trans Maldivian Airways, did you enjoy the experience of atoll spotting on your journey ?

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