| okay so I just got back and can confirm the HK to KL leg is better than the KL to Male bit. They have a good on-demand video/tv system on the first leg as it is a big boeing 777. The KL to Male is a smaller airbus, bit more cramped and not as comfortable but the food in both legs pretty gross.
Other than the food though the only gripe I really have is the flight timings. The KL to Male flights gets you in late (9:15) which is too late to go onward to your resort unless you are based in the Male Atoll. So we spent the first night in an expensive but decidely below average hotel in Male (Hotel Fresco).
Going home we were looking forward to the prospect of having to kill 7 hours in Male waiting for our outward flight. It's a long time to kill when you have 2 young kids in tow, but if you are by yourself then it is easier to head over to Male and do a bit of exploring. Thankfully our seaplane transfer was nearly 2 hours late so we just got to chill out on the resort for a bit longer. The airport at Male has a small kids playground and there is a Movenpick cafe which help things along. Behind departures though it is much improved since my last trip in '99 (a whole new addition to the terminal building with some OK shops and a Dome cafe which serves good food (compared to downstairs in the main terminal building).
The return leg via Columbo was a big pain (I concur with Elle although we didn't have the aircraft problems). The layover in Columbo adds 1.5 to 2 hours to an already tiresome journey. It was a real breath of fresh air to get back on the Jumbo for the KL to HK leg.
Overall, OK, nothing special. Singapore airlines go there too but the return flight leaves even later (about 23:30 I think) than the MA one, so not sure how much quicker it would be overall.  |