Trans Maldivian Airways runs one of the largest commercial sea plane operations in the world. Trans Maldivian Airways runs a fleet of fifty four planes throughout the Maldives. Travelling by sea plane over the colourful atolls of the Maldives is a special experience that allows such close exposure to the colourful and emerald waters of the Maldives. Our transfer from Malé to the North Ari Atoll of the W Maldives would involve a sea plane flight over the Maldives. Read on to see what the whole experience is like…

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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, Malé Noovilu Sea Plane Terminal – W Maldives

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We landed into Malé Velana International Airport on Qatar Airways Business Class Doha – Malé. We were headed off to The W Maldives resort.

Checking into Trans Maldivian Airways:

I outlined our check in experience, including getting a little soaked for excess baggage fees. We spent the hold time in the Trans Maldivian Airways Coral Lounge, while we waited for our sea plane flight.

We also completed check in procedures with a representative for the W Maldives while in the Travel Maldivian Airways Coral Lounge, including the assignment of rooms and processing of payments and deposits.

The Safety Briefing:

When it came time to depart, Trans Maldivian Airways staff arrived to the lounge and led us down from the Trans Maldivian Coral Lounge to the bottom floor of the Malé Noovilu Sea Plane Terminal Building.

We were led over to the gates area and into one of twenty pre-flight safety briefing rooms. The Noovilu Sea Plane Terminal is really set up to handle hundreds, if not thousands, of sea plane travellers to the various resorts in a manner that allows them to keep all travellers organized and segregated to each assigned flight.

When we were in the briefing room, there was a looped video that provided an in flight safety briefing for emergencies. It included a discussion on weight balancing and the usual location of life jackets and water landing information. There was also instruction not to stand underneath the wings when on the loading pontoons.

There was also a sign board that indicated that our flight was headed to the W Maldives then onwards to Kandolhu Island

Boarding Trans Maldivian Airways:

The Trans Maldivian Airways staff arrived to collect us at 11:20 AM for a 11:30 AM departure. We were led out in a group outside to the walkways leading to the over water pontoons our towards the Twin Otters.

It’s an impressive sight seeing all of these Twin Otter bobbing up and down in the emerald green waters. It’s probably the largest concentration and fleet of float planes with any company.

We eventually located our assigned Twin Otter. We had those that needed assistance (from a wheelchair) boarded first, with general boarding occurring afterwards. Seating was on a first come first serve basis.

Trans Maldivian Airways
MLE – WWW (Male Noovilu Sea Plane Terminal – W Maldives)
TMA Flight 142
Flown: March 8, 2023
Departure: 11:56 AM (scheduled 11:30 AM)
Arrival: 12:27 PM
Booked: DeHavilland Twin Otter
Flown: DeHavilland Twin Otter

On Board Trans Maldivian Airways:

The Twin Otter aircraft are never super spacious and offer a compact seating environment. The Trans Maldivian Airways Twin Otter configuration are like all other Twin Otter’s; they are configured in a 1 – 2 configuration in a single class of service.

In my experience, the single left hand seats are usually the last to be taken. If you are a photographer, and you’re travelling with a partner, you might have better luck splitting up and each taking a single window seat, instead of occupying a double seat where you’ll each be fighting for the same single window.

Dependent on where you sit, you’ll also get a view into the cockpit. If watching the activity in the cockpit is something you’re interested in, then you’ll need to be seated in the first row closest to the cockpit.

The only cabin climate control is through a small fan that blows. It’s a little bit of a warm journey otherwise.

Flying a Sea Plane over the Maldives:

This marks my third trip to the Maldives. However, it’s my first trip transferring to a resort on a Trans Maldivian Airways Sea Plane. All of my previous transfers have been through Maldivian Air on their De Havilland Dash 8 service.

The Republic of the Maldives is a truly wonderful country to see from the air. The coral atolls scattered over all parts of the country are something that are truly memorable and unique. tothe world.

By flying a Trans Maldivian Sea Plane flight, you typically fly at a lower altitude. As such, you get a richer travel experience being that much closer to the water.

We departed from the Malé Noovilu Sea Plane Terminal. We had an immediate left to take us on our track towards the W Maldives located in the North Ari Atoll west of Malé.

As we departed the capital city of Malé, we travelled over inhabited islands. The amount of building on this land starved Republic set against the light blue waters is truly an amazing sight.

We were also able to see some of the reclaimed land efforts that were underway. In this case, it appeared to be many of the industrial areas servicing the Maldives.

The further out we got, the further we were able to spot resorts. Most obviously, we were able to see the over water villa pontoons that made the Maldives such a popular luxury destination.

Our forty five minute flight travelled onwards, we were able to enjoy some of the coral atolls that the Maldives is famous for. There are no words for the colour combinations that you see in the Maldives. The blues, greens and emeralds that you see form the air are just out of this world and like no others.

Landing at the W Maldives:

We started to descend and come in for landing at the W Maldives. We had a short turn prior to the resort and pulled up to the arrival dock.

We were off loaded and led up to the arrival jetty for a wonderful welcome to the W Maldives.

We stayed at the W Maldives for five nights, prior to heading over to the St Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort for six nights.

My Thoughts on Trans Maldivian Airways:

There’s no question that a sea plane transfer to your resort in the maldives is the best way to get to your destination. It easily beats out a water transfer by boat.

Dependent on route, the Trans Maldivian Airways flight will take you over some interesting atolls. It’s a really easy way to spend the time watching colourful marine atolls pass underneath your aircraft as you travel towards your resort.

My only caution on this experience is to closely watch your weight allowances if you want to avoid getting charged excess fees.

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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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