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Emirates and the Malta Tourism Authority inked a strategic partnerships this year to boost inbound tourism, and if you are fortunate enough to fly to the island nation on Emirates Business Class it elevates an already great trip.
The seat and route
Malta (MLA) to Dubai (DXB). Seat 06J on a 777-300ER.
Flight time: 7 hours 10 minutes.
Is there a loyalty scheme and sustainability program?
As the loyalty programme of Emirates and flydubai, Emirates Skywards, allows you to earn both Skywards Miles and Tier Miles on Emirates and flydubai flights. You can also earn Miles with Emirates partners worldwide.
Emirates has a wide variety of sustainability initiatives from aircraft selection to technological investment as well as practical solutions like reducing, reusing and recycling. The full list of ecological practices and reports on their effectiveness can be found here.
How was the airport experience?
Being a relatively small international port, Malta was easy to navigate. There is a tiny, nerve-wracking moment when a customs officers questions why I do not have an EU entry stamp (we arrived via Rome and used electronic gates, which was super easy but did not come with any sort of stamp) but once that is ironed out it is smooth sailing.
Is there lounge access?
Malta’s La Valette Club lounge has a regal, wood-panelled entry into a spacious lounge with a large outdoor area to boot.
The seating is low-backed, couch style around low-slung coffee tables; there is a dining area and a modest buffet but the good news is you can have one last Maltese pastizzi (pastry) before you leave! They are pretty good, too. The outdoor space offers some shade and views across the runway.
How was the cabin and seat?
The cabin is in a 2-3-2 configuration and my seat 06J is by the window; it is also at the front of the cabin and has ample room to access my seat without disturbing the person next to me.
These are very comfortable seats (20.5” wide seats with seat rows pitched up to 72“ apart) that convert to lie-flat beds (but I never get past a nice and easy recline because this is an afternoon flight and I don’t want to miss dinner). I do make use of the six-way adjustable headrest and electric footrest extension to get comfortable, however.
The main feature I make use of is the screen-integrated passenger seat controller for in-flight entertainment. I binge DC’s The Penguin on HBO on the 23” LCD screen and listen to music with the noise-cancelling headphones that give my own a run for their money. Emirates award-winning ice inflight entertainment system has thousands of options and the latest-release films and with a seven-hour flight time you barely scratch the surface.
How was the in-flight dining and drinks?
Our dinner menu starts with salmon tataki served with a fennel and red onion salad with roasted black sesame seeds and ponzu sauce. For main I have pan-seared meagre, a local fish I learned about on this trip to Malta which shows how Emirates love to reflect the local cuisine in their menus. This delicious white fish is served with creamy herbed lemon sauce, potato puree, peperonata and Kalamata olives. Malta may be in my rear-vision mirror but it is also sitting here on my plate. Desert is a perfectly tart citrus almond cake served with kumquat compote.
What was the in-flight service like?
There is the usual flurry of hot towels, take-off Champagnes and orders taken for our meal but the onboard crew do with the ease of a Michelin-starred restaurant. The 777 does not provide a heap of aisle space to move around in, yet cabin crew appear and disappear like they have hidden trapdoors around the cabin.
A final thought
When you fly to and from Malta from Melbourne for less than a week, a single, seven-hour stint can seem like a puddle-jumper leg. But that is only because of the comfort, professionalism and masterful food and beverage in this Emirates Business Class seat.
