Review: Trans Maldivian Airways Flight

Very similar to yours on two trips - and we also got a kick out of the barefoot pilots.

Ugh how do you put that into a flight log? What's the arrival airport? AHHHHHH

A true aviation geek would've taken the San Juan seaplanes whole you lived in Seattle. Or stayed in the airplane hostel when you were in Sweden, or visited the Taupo McDonald's in an airplane when in New Zealand.

Not sure why you call yourself that. Being a rich person who goes on a lot of planes doesn't make one a "geek".

Is there a size and or weight restriction when it comes to the bags?

@K Who made you in charge of defining "true aviation geek" and its requirements?

@James K Well, it's not actually arriving at an airport, per se...

Took the same airline to the Constance hotel, but we had a stop to drop few passenger at a different hotel, our first landing was into waves, plane stoped quick and hard( totally stoped on1-2 wave), when second landing was way smother comparable to a ground landing. But view was Amazing The all way for us, small island or coral barrer circle with all shade on blue .
Nice article bring back good memory.

@K Personally, I define an avgeek as anyone who likes and knows a bit about planes. Perhaps some people would prefer not to visit such touristy attractions that may not suit their interests.

You definitely haven't flown cape air bos-ack etc. Small plane, open cabin, one person sits next to the captain etc.

Pretty much the same experience on TMA, including the flip flops! It's amazing how smooth takeoff and landing are on the water.

I would add that it's possible that you won't get a direct flight to your hotel. We had to make one stop on our way to the Conrad during our trip and I don't think we or the hotel had any control over that. On the one hand, it was a tad warm and loud in the plane. On the other hand, double the takeoffs and landings!

@JamesK - the hotels technically have their own 3-letter airport code and the bags are tagged.

@Nate. No way!

According to StatsCan, Canada's tenth busiest airport (by flight movements) is Victoria Harbour, close to Lucky's former home of Seattle. There are four airlines operating from the harbour, operating exclusively on floats (DHC2, DHC3, DHC6). No flip-flops though.

Sea plane routes (I'm thinking of Vancouver Harbour, Victoria Harbour and YVR South Terminal) have designated take off and landing routes that don't intersect with regular air traffic for what it is worth. . .

I am on this flight next week. Well not the exact one since I am staying at a different resort, but the sea plane reservation is similar. Thanks for posting as this helps me know what to expect.

We love the seaplane ride in the Maldives. The resort we stayed last time was in one of the furthest atoll that's serviceable by seaplane. Absolutely enjoyed the scenery of the during the 1:15 min ride across 2 other atolls. I do wish there were fan for the passenger as the plane does get very hot and sweaty.

@lucky/Ben, Great pictures!. Was it overcast the whole time you were there?
I took a similar flight a few years ago. The colours just pop with the sunlight! You may need to go back 😉

I've been lucky enough to have two trips to the Maldives both to the same resort (Kuredu) with seaplane transfers and they are an amazing experience. At the island we were on two or three of the planes stay overnight so you do get a twin turboprop alarm call in the morning if you're on the same side of the island as their parking space!

K
Bite Me !! Lucky does a Good job .Me and my lady did the same plane in Alaska a few years ago only the pilot picked up a fish from his trap too . I felt Safe and FUN to stand on the Floats while looking at the remote area on a aircraft .
Show us POOR more !!!

CHEERs

I took a few videos of our Trans Maldivian flights to & from the Conrad. Loved them & was also fortunate to be non-stop.
Baggage is weight limited, carry-on baggage is weighed & you do have proper (paper) boarding passes.

While not a seaplane, reminds me of the CapeAir flights between San Juan, PR and St. Thomas. Never up higher than 4k- 5k feet, the views are incredible. Since those are used as commuter shuttles there's been more than one occasion I've been the only passenger, and depending on the pilot, they might let you sit in the co-pilot's seat.

We flew TMA to Conrad Rangali many times and flights can be direct if they have enough passengers or via one or more other islands. Great fun. Although Lucky does not like the fans they are vital on a warm day for most of us.

The official baggage allowance for the Conrad Jan 2017 is as follows (it might be different for other resorts):
"The luggage allowance is 25 kg per person plus 5kg of hand luggage and the maximum weight is 32 kg per piece of luggage. Any excess goods will need to be removed and placed in another baggage. Any excess baggage is chargeable and will have to be paid directly to Transmaldivian airways at US$5.00 plus 12% TGST per 1 kg per way."

Hope this helps. Have a great flight.

Back in the "00's" the Conrad used another airline that no longer exists. All the planes were actually owner-operated and ours was owned/operated by a bush pilot from Alberta who flew the North West Territories in the Canadian summer and the Maldives in the winter.