Luxury Escapes will continue its direct Melbourne to Malé flight service year-round in 2027, following strong demand during the service’s seasonal debut in 2026.

The service initially launched as the first regular direct flight connection between Australia and the Maldives, operating seasonally from May to November. According to Luxury Escapes, the service achieved an average 90% load factor, contributing to the decision to extend flights throughout the year.

Demand for Maldives holidays has also increased, with Luxury Escapes reporting a 65% rise in Maldives accommodation package bookings compared with the same period in the previous year.

Luxury Escapes CEO and co-founder Adam Schwab said the company’s decision to work directly with an airline to operate a regular scheduled service was designed to address a gap in Australia’s outbound travel network.

Schwab said the direct flights, combined with all-inclusive five-star resort packages, have helped make the Maldives more accessible to Australian travellers. He also noted growing demand from families, multigenerational travellers and groups of friends, alongside the destination’s established appeal for honeymooners.

The year-round service has also been welcomed by Melbourne Airport, with Chief Executive Officer Lorie Argus describing the continuation as an exciting development. She highlighted the popularity of direct Melbourne-Maldives flights among Australian travellers and the airport’s role in connecting Australians with international destinations.

The service is operated using Maldivian Airlines’ A330-200 aircraft, which features 263 seats across Business and Economy cabins. Extra-legroom Economy Plus seating is also available on Luxury Escapes flights.

Luxury Escapes’ booking data for May to August 2026 highlights strong interest in Maldives resorts among Australian travellers. The most popular properties during this period included Pullman Maldives Maamutaa, SO/ Maldives, Meyyafushi Maldives, Finolhu, A Seaside Collection Resort, Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort, Outrigger Maldives Maafushivaru Resort, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives, Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa and Coco Bodu Hithi.

The extension of the Melbourne-Malé service provides Australian travellers with a direct air connection to the Maldives beyond the previous seasonal operating period. With the service continuing year-round in 2027, travellers will have greater flexibility to plan Maldives holidays across different periods of the year.

The development also reflects continued growth in demand for Maldives accommodation packages among Australian travellers, with direct connectivity supporting easier access to the destination’s resort offerings.