Both the Maldives and Turks and Caicos routes are operated by state-of-the-art B787-9 aircraft fitted with 31 Upper-Class seats, as well as 35 in Premium economy, and 192 in Economy Delight, Classic and Light seats. If there is ever a compelling reason to book Upper Class then it is on a night flight like this one to the Maldives because getting a decent amount of sleep on your way out (on a fully flat bed in the sky) makes the difference between enjoying the first day of your holiday and having to go to bed as soon as you check into your resort. Plus, on a long journey such as this (between 10 and 11 hours) it’s just so much more comfortable to be able to stretch out – there is even an onboard bar where you can mingle with other guests, have a drink or eat a meal. Just remember to fill in your online “Imuga” traveller declaration for the Maldives within 96 hours of departure.
Siyam World Maldives
Boarding started at about 5.30pm, with Upper Class passengers given priority. The crew were extremely friendly and welcoming (they were excited to be flying to the Maldives, too, as they get a couple of days on the ground before flying back), and I was directed to my seat 2G in the centre of the plane. It was a busy flight, so I didn’t manage to get a window seat on the outbound leg, but I did on the way back – in this case, I chose 11A, which was close to the bar in the last row of the Upper Class so I felt very private as no other passengers were facing toward me. (All seats are angled in a “herring-bone” formation – A seats offer the most privacy as they are facing the backs of the G seats. Seats G and K are angled towards each other.)
Once settled, the crew brought around trays of drinks (orange juice, water and Champagne Chanoine Frères Réserve Privée Brut) and canapés (the skewers of zesty, spicy mozzarella and pineapple were really moreish). This was a nice new added touch as you don’t normally get nibbles with your welcome drink. Every passenger was given a breakfast card for putting in their morning order before going to sleep. There was also a menu of food and drinks, headphones, and an amenity kit containing Ren lip balm, day cream and hand cream, plus a toothbrush and paste, ear plugs, socks and an eye mask. You even get pyjamas in a range of sizes. Basically everything you need to feel rested, fresh and hydrated.