By way of informing readers of action taken to date. I am aware of the two best routes (One with Emirates Direct which leaves at 2:45 am on the 6th Feb and another with Sri Lankan Airlines at 11 pm on the 5th connecting in Colombo to Male on the morning of the 6th Feb) . The price difference is staggering in that J class is approx half that of Emirates on Sri Lankan Airlines. The pay off though is that Sri Lankan's regularity is spasmodic presumably due to Covid. So ideally I am looking for a business class ticket with Emirates that comes in under £3000 for two return. Any ideas? Sri Lankan is £2000-£2300 dependent on flight selection but Emirates a whacking £4000 + and £10000 in First and its only a 4 hour flight!