Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.
A few weeks ago, I took a trip to the Maldives and stayed at two of the country’s most exclusive resorts: The Ritz-Carlton Maldives and Patina Maldives. Both properties are located in the Fari Islands, a four-island man-made archipelago in the North Male Atoll, based a 45-minute boat ride from Velana International Airport. Read my trip reports here:
For my return flight from the Maldives, I flew in Business Class with British Airways from Male to London. The flight was operated by a Boeing 777-300ER which was equipped with the carrier’s new suite product (called Club Suite). I’ve already published several detailed reviews about British Airways’ Business Class Suite product here and here. So, that’s why I decided to write this trip report in a somewhat different format, summarizing my flight experience from start to end, illustrated by dozens of photos. Let me know what type of format for flight trip reports you prefer.
- Trip: Male (MLE) to London (LHR)
- Airline: British Airways
- Aircraft type: Boeing 777-300ER
- Aircraft registration number: G-STBJ (built in 2014)
- On time departure: 12 pm
- On time arrival: 6 pm
- Miles: 5300 miles (8530 km)
- Flight time: 11 hours
- Seat: 12K
- Class: Business Class
I made a YouTube video with my impressions during the flight, which you watch here:
The flight from Male to London was operated by a 10 year old Boeing 777-300ER. Unfortunately, Male Airport currently does not have boarding gates, so we were taken by bus to the aircraft stand.
The Boeing 777-300ERs was equipped with British Airways’ newest Business Class product, called ‘Club Suite’. There were a staggering number of 76 Business Class seats – with sliding doors – which were spread over 3 cabins: a small front cabin (with 12 seats), a large middle cabin (with 42 seats) and an aft cabin (22 seats).
The seats were laid out in a spacious 1-2-1 reverse-herringbone configuration, with direct aisle access for every passenger. The seats on the plane’s side angled out toward the windows, while the seats in the center angled toward one another. Obviously, the center seats were the best choice for travel companions although these seats featured extendable dividers in case you are seated next to a strangers (guaranteeing complete privacy).
I was seated in suite 12K in the largest Business Class cabin, which felt chic, airy and spacious. British Airways’ logo prominently featured on a panel in the front of each cabin. Designed with silver, grey, and charcoal hued fabrics by UK company Hainsworth, the seat itself looked luxurious and featured ottomans and arm caps in Muirhead leather.
The seat itself was extremely comfortable and came with a sliding door for enhanced privacy. The door was fixed in the open position during take-off and landing, but during cruise, the flight attendants released the locking mechanism and you could leave the door open or closed as you wish. The door was ‘only’ 44 inches (112 cm) tall, so it still allowed the crew to peer over and check in with you as needed.
In front of the seat was a 18.5-inch HD entertainment screen and a footrest located in the space below the TV screen.
A tray table was stowed under the TV at a good height to maximize legroom; it needed to be pulled out for any use and when unfolded, it measured 16 x 18 inches (40 x 46 cm).
Above the non-aisle armrest was a small touchscreen, which could be used to adjust the seat position and to control the lighting of the suite during the flight.
This side of the seat also featured two storage units to stow away smaller personal items (e.g. glasses, wallet, smartphones, etc …). The largest cubby held a handset for the inflight entertainment, a USB port, and a power plug.
Next to the seatback was a large console with a vanity mirror and some more storage space on the inside; a reading light is fixed to the console’s outside wall.
An amenity kit – designed as a toiletry bag by The White Company – was waiting on each seat. The kit contained eyeshade, earplugs, socks, a toothbrush, toothpaste, pen and toiletries from The White Company’s Restore & Relax Spa Collection, offering a touch of luxury.
A choice of a welcome drink was offered during the boarding process, and I had a glass of orange juice.
We left the aircraft stand at 12 pm, which was an on-time departure. Following a short taxi, we took off from the Maldives’ single runway 24L/6R in northerly direction over the Indian Ocean. The clear weather allowed for some phenomenal views during takeoff.
Lunch service started shortly thereafter. A menu was handed out to each passenger.
The wine list – printed on the backside of the menu – was excellent.
As a starter, grilled lemongrass chicken was served, with mixed mesclun, endives, mango, pomegranate and lime vinaigrette.
As a main course, I choose Arabian spiced grilled tuna, which was served with roasted potatoes, aubergine, courgette, mixed peppers, and lemon garlic cream sauce.
For dessert, I had the chocolate mocha mousse cake, which was served with coffee bean, redcurrant and vanilla sauce.
After lunch, it was time to explore the inflight entertainment. The suite seat had an 18.5-inch TV screen which used the latest Panasonic X3 in-flight entertainment system. The screen was fixed into the shell of the seat in front and allowed gate-to-gate entertainment. The inflight entertainment could be selected by directly touching the TV screen or with the use of a handset, which had its own small TV screen. The entertainment system itself, called High Life, offered tons of movies and box sets to explore. 3D Interactive GeoFusion flight maps were available, allowing passengers to follow the flight route in hi-resolution graphics.
Noise-cancelling headphones were provided as well, to make the most of the inflight entertainment.
Three hours and thirty minutes into the flight, we reached the Arabian Peninsula.
We still had more than 7 hours of flight time ahead of us, so I decided to have some rest, making use of British Airways’ excellent bedding. The latter is provided by The White Company and comprises a soft large pillow in a white cotton pillowcase, a luxurious duvet, and a padded mattress topper to provide an extra layer of comfort to improve sleep quality.
At the push of a button, the seat went fully flat in a very comfy bed with a length of 79 inches (200 cm). The aisle armrest could be lowered to enhance the sleeping comfort.
I rested for most of the flight, and I guess most of my fellow passengers did the same windows.
Ninety minutes prior to landing, another three-course meal was served (the second three-course meal during this 11 hour flight).
The starter was comprised of courgette & carrot bulgar roll, served with heirloom cherry tomato, pomegranate olive oil, and garlic yoghurt dressing. It was served together with a bread roll and the dessert, Dulce de leche cheesecake.
As a main course, I had the braised beef, served with potato au gratin, green beans, carrots, cherry vine tomato, beef jus, and mushroom sauce.
Following an uneventful, smooth flight, we landed at London Heathrow at 6 pm local time (on time arrival).
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