After an unforgettable week in the Maldives, it was finally time to make our way back home — and what better way to ease the sting of leaving paradise than a long-haul flight in British Airways’ newest Club Suite? Our journey from Malé to London Heathrow gave us the perfect chance to see how BA’s refreshed business class stacks up on a flagship route. Here’s a full breakdown of what you can expect.
Pre-Departure
Our journey back to London began with a seaplane transfer from the stunning Conrad Maldives Rangali Island to Malé. After landing at the seaplane terminal, we were ushered onto a short shuttle ride to MLE airport. Check-in was a breeze — Jen and I used the business class line and were through security and immigration in under 20 minutes.
MLE is a relatively small airport with only a handful of lounges, so we stopped into one for a quick refresh before heading to our gate. Nothing extravagant, but enough to relax for a moment before boarding.
Cabin
British Airways operates the Boeing 777-300ER on this route, one of their newer aircraft equipped with the refreshed Club Suite — complete with sliding privacy doors. The cabin features a 1-2-1 reverse-herringbone layout, giving every passenger direct aisle access and a good amount of personal space.
The seat itself felt brand new with minimal wear and tear, which is always a nice bonus on a long-haul flight. The only drawback? The privacy door is a bit on the shorter side, so it doesn’t feel fully enclosed compared to other business class products. Still, overall a sleek and comfortable upgrade from BA’s older Club World seats
Food
The dining experience on this flight was solid, though nothing particularly memorable. My first meal included a cheese ravioli entrée, an ahi tuna starter, some soup, and a classic cheesecake for dessert. Everything tasted fine — no complaints, but nothing that stood out either.
Before landing, a lighter second meal was served. I opted for a salad with grilled shrimp, which was fresh and satisfying. Oddly, the bread wasn’t heated during either meal service — a small but noticeable miss for a premium cabin.
Jen, on the other hand, lucked out with a braised beef dish that was genuinely delicious.
Amenities & Service
British Airways provides The White Company amenity kits in business class — a nice touch that elevates the experience while staying true to the airline’s British branding. The White Company also makes the pajamas for Qatar Airways, which we received on our flight from Doha to Malé, so it was fun to see the partnership pop up again here.
Service throughout the flight was smooth and unobtrusive. Nothing particularly noteworthy — which, in my opinion, often means the crew is doing exactly what they should. I’m a pretty low-maintenance flyer who usually sleeps through most of the flight and rarely uses the call button, so my perception of service tends to skew positive. Those who are awake for the entire flight may have a different experience, but for us, everything was pleasant.
Final Thoughts
This British Airways business class flight from Malé to London offered a smooth and comfortable end to a Maldives trip. After an easy check-in at MLE and a quick lounge stop, we boarded the airline’s newer 777-300ER featuring the updated Club Suite with privacy doors. The cabin felt fresh and modern, though the doors were slightly shorter than expected. Food throughout the flight was decent but unremarkable, with a few highlights like Jen’s braised beef — though oddly, the bread was never served warm. Amenities included stylish White Company kits, and service was pleasant and efficient, with nothing particularly memorable (which, in this case, is a good thing). Overall, a solid business class experience that delivered comfort and consistency.
Leave a Reply