Frequently asked questions

Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) represents the Spirit of Maldives – as the largest seaplane operator in the world, we aim to provide a unique and friendly experience through each interaction, while our seaplanes offer the best vantage point for stunning sights that only Maldives can provide.

We are the fastest and most convenient mode of transfer, making a substantial part of Maldives easily accessible to the world.

We are partners to the one-island, one-resort concept of Maldives. We work closely with resorts to make your experience the most pleasurable from the time you land.

Resort Transfers – All resort transfer reservations are made through our partner resorts. When you make your holiday booking with your travel agent / tour operator / or resort, please ask them about the mode of transfer and request for a TMA Seaplane transfer. TMA serves more than 80 resorts in Maldives.

Charter Flight – Should you require a dedicated aircraft for your transfer to the resort, please request this at the time of booking the holiday with your travel agent/ tour operator/ resort. We do provide this service to the resorts upon request.

Photo Flights – We offer scenic tour photo flights showing beautiful Maldives. For more information, please email us at sales@transmaldivian.com.

Fares for Individual Travellers (FIT) rates for walk-in customers – please note that this is subject to availability and we do not take advance reservations for these. For more information, please email us at sales@transmaldivian.com.

Yes, the uniqueness of flying in these conditions, landing on & taking-off from water, permits us to fly only from sunrise to sunset. Most importantly, the splendour of Maldives is most evident with the sun beating down on the pristine blue waters, dotted with a string of small islands.

Arrival: If you would like to reach your resort on the same day, please plan to arrive Maldives by 15:30 (LT). If you are unable to find an international flight which gets you here in time, you could also spend a night in Male or Hulhumale and see what the local life is like.

Departure: We take care of all guests who have their scheduled international flight departure time after 9 AM.

The standard permissible weight is 25 kg, which includes 20 kg of checked-in luggage and 5 kg of hand luggage per person. There is no additional baggage allowance allocated for infants. The weight for any bag should not exceed 32 kg. The per kg charge for baggage above the permissible limit is USD 5.00/- plus applicable taxes.

We understand that after a long journey to the Maldives, you’ll be eager to reach your resort. Our operations are designed with your comfort in mind while you wait for your seaplane transfer. 

Depending on your booking, you may have access to a dedicated resort lounge, one of Trans Maldivian Airways’ lounges for selected partner resorts, or the Neeri Lounge operated by MACL, which is open to all guests with amenities available for purchase. 

Your resort will advise you of the lounge access included with your booking prior to arrival.

On most occasions your luggage will go along with you. However, there are very few occasions where luggage will arrive after you have been transferred. In such cases we will inform you before your flight departure and allow the passenger to carry necessary items from offloaded luggage (in a TMA souvenir bag). Please be assured that the luggage will be delivered to the destination on the same day.

If you would like to carry oversized equipment for your holiday, we would need you to charter a flight since, due to limitations in the size of the cabin/ luggage compartment, we cannot accommodate these on a schedule flight.

For safety reasons, Trans Maldivian Airways does not accept battery-operated (smart) baggage if the lithium battery is built-in, non-removable, or inaccessible. Smart bags are only permitted if the battery can be completely removed prior to travel. This policy is in place to ensure the highest level of flight safety.

We transfer infants below the age of two years, free of charge. There is no separate seat allocated for the infants due to legal requirements. Correspondingly, there is also no additional baggage allowance for the infant either.

We at TMA, take utmost care of our customer’s baggage, however considering the nature of operations we have a limited liability for fragile items or perishable articles. In addition to this we do not accept liability for wear and tear to check-in baggage that includes the following:

• Broken wheels or base;
• Loss of external locks or security straps;
• Damage to any protruding part of the baggage;
• Damage resulting from over-packing;
• Damage to retractable luggage handles;
• Scratches, torn zippers, straps and handles scuffing, denting, soiling or manufacturing defects
• Damage to perishable or fragile baggage;
• Wet Baggage; or
• Any other wear and tear.

In the event where we have scenario of a damaged bag, we shall acknowledge the complaint and after the necessary investigation and assist the customer with a courtesy PIR, for the purpose of insurance claim if applicable.

Make sure you carry emergency and essential items such as Medicines, clothing and swimwear for when you reach the resort (in case the luggage is not carried along with you).

Please visit our careers page here to view our current vacancies.