NYC>Maldives...Need advice
Jun 27, 2009 | 7:26 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 136
NYC>Maldives...Need advice
As posted in my other thread, I'm looking into the Maldives in June '10. Have plenty of miles to burn on this trip and need advice on the best route/carrier, etc, to get there. I've never traveled to that part of the world so I'm new to this. Thanks for any info you can provide!
Jun 27, 2009 | 8:34 am
#2
Community Director Emerita
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British Airways has announced that it will begin flying to the Maldives from LGW this fall. That would be the simplest OneWorld route IMO - BA, JFK-LHR, LGW-MLE.
Be aware that the release I looked at said there would be no F cabin from LHR-MLE.
Be aware that the release I looked at said there would be no F cabin from LHR-MLE.
Jun 27, 2009 | 6:33 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: NYC/PSP
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What I've done a couple of times is:
JFK-HKG Cathay F or J
HKG-CMB Cathay J
CMB-MLE Emirates or Sri Lanka--very cheap flights, even in paid J
This is a little longer than JFK-LHR-MLE on BA, but when using miles you need as many options as possible. You might even be able to schedule a stopover in HKG if you're so inclined.
JFK-HKG Cathay F or J
HKG-CMB Cathay J
CMB-MLE Emirates or Sri Lanka--very cheap flights, even in paid J
This is a little longer than JFK-LHR-MLE on BA, but when using miles you need as many options as possible. You might even be able to schedule a stopover in HKG if you're so inclined.
Jun 29, 2009 | 12:01 am
#5
Moderator: Asiana & Qantas Frequent Flyer
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I agree with SanDiego1K, the BA option will be a very nice one (except for the airport transfer). But maybe by then someone will be flying JFK-LGW.
The other problem is that award availability to MLE is limited in J because the BA forum has been very active in grabbing many of those seats.
The other problem is that award availability to MLE is limited in J because the BA forum has been very active in grabbing many of those seats.
Jun 30, 2009 | 9:52 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: lax
Posts: 727
I have an existing AONE4 which I started a while back, and will be stopping it in LHR for a while. I was planning to go to TLV, however the aircraft has been downgraded to a 767. And now that BA has the flight to MLE, I am thinking of changing it, but can I do so per the rules of the RTW ticket? I know MLE is in Asia, as is TLV and DXB. Besides giving up 2 segments to travel out of LGW, can I make the change? Thanks in advance for your help!
Jun 30, 2009 | 10:58 am
#7
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TLV and DXB are in Europe for the purposes of xONExs, so if you've been to Asia, you can't go back. Perhaps at some point OW will revise the rules to treat MLE in the same manner as other cul-de-sac destinations in Africa (e.g. ACC, NBO, DAR) and allow a free transit in London, but I frankly doubt it. Or maybe somebody else will serve MLE from Asia, allowing it to be included in a continuous routing. Until then, it will probably only be available as an intercontinental segment preceded or followed by an open segment to connect somewhere else in Asia.
Jul 1, 2009 | 3:50 pm
#9
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Be aware that the release I looked at said there would be no F cabin from LHR-MLE.
British Airways is to launch new thrice-weekly direct services from Gatwick to Male’ in the Maldives from October 25, 2009. It will also begin operations to Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt. This will be the first time British Airways has flown to the Maldives, but will be a return for the airline’s colours to the Red Sea resort.
These routes will be operated by Boeing 777 aircraft with a three-class configuration:
These routes will be operated by Boeing 777 aircraft with a three-class configuration:
Last edited by CDKing; Jul 1, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Jul 1, 2009 | 5:44 pm
#10
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Jul 1, 2009 | 5:52 pm
#11
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Yes, on a paid ticket or using a BAEC award. On a paid ticket you will not earn AAdvantage miles on the JFK-LHR or LHR-JFK segments flown on BA.
If you are using AAdvantage miles for an award ticket or want to earn AAdvantage miles on a paid ticket then you will need to do JFK-LHR and LHR-JFK on AA metal, or go a convoluted route via Canada, Mexico City, or the Bahamas.
If you are using AAdvantage miles for an award ticket or want to earn AAdvantage miles on a paid ticket then you will need to do JFK-LHR and LHR-JFK on AA metal, or go a convoluted route via Canada, Mexico City, or the Bahamas.