Australians can now fly direct to the Maldives for the first time, with a new Melbourne-to-Malé service launching tonight in partnership with Luxury Escapes and Maldivian Airlines.
The weekly non-stop route departs Melbourne Airport at 11.20pm, carrying 264 passengers on the 11-hour flight to Velana International Airport in Malé.
To celebrate the launch, Luxury Escapes will release 100 return Economy fares for just $100, including taxes, from 7pm AEST tonight. The promotional fares must be booked with a Luxury Escapes accommodation package for travel between June and September 2026.
Standalone return Economy fares start from $1,379, while flight-and-resort packages begin at $2,399 per person for five nights.
Luxury Escapes CEO and Co-Founder Adam Schwab described the route launch as a major milestone for Australian travellers seeking easier access to the Maldives.
“The Maldives has long been a bucket-list destination for Australian travellers, but the time and complexity of travelling via a transit in Singapore or the Middle East had been a major deterrent,” Schwab said.
“With great support from Melbourne Airport and in partnership with the national carrier of the Maldives, we’ve been able to unlock a direct route and package it with exceptional value across a range of resorts, from ultra-luxury romantic escapes to family-friendly options.
“All of this combined will position the Maldives as the new Mediterranean for Aussie travellers.”
The service operates on a Maldivian Airlines 264-seater, A330-200 featuring Business and Economy cabins, alongside Economy Plus seating sold through Luxury Escapes. Passengers will receive supper and breakfast onboard before arriving in Malé for onward seaplane or speedboat resort transfers.
Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus said the new service will reduce travel time by 9-10 hours “which is really exciting for Victorian travellers”.
“For the first time ever in Australia, you’ll be able to jump on a flight in the evening and wake up in the Maldives the next morning,” she remarked.
“Travel to South Asia is booming with capacity out of Melbourne up 53 per cent on pre-pandemic levels, so I’m sure this service will be in demand.”
Maldivian Captain Mohamed Sunoosy said today’s launch represented something bigger than a new route.
“We write the first line of a new chapter in aviation history between the Maldives and Australia, and with it, open a new gateway for the world to discover the Maldives.”
At Luxury Escapes’ first Luxury Escapes Live event over the weekend, Visit Maldives Corporation announced the appointment of Luxury Escapes as its official representative in Australia and New Zealand.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Direct Maldives flights from Australia felt inevitable eventually, but pairing the launch with $100 fares is a very Luxury Escapes way to grab attention.
