05 Important Facts You Need to Know Before Flying on TMA

Not only is the seaplane transfer much faster than the speedboat, but these rides also allow you to see the true beauty of the Maldives! As all the seaplane rides are made during daylight hours, just one look out of the window will show you the most majestic views of the Maldivian islands, reefs, lagoons and more. If you’re a first-time flier, thinking about booking a seaplane ride through TMA, the world’s largest seaplane operator, here are 05 things to know before you head on to your journey.

01. How to Check-in

Before you head onto your unforgettable journey in the Maldives, make sure you have scheduled your transfer through a tour operator or directly with the hotel. After your immigration clearance upon arrival, you can directly go to the respective resort counter which can be located in the arrival area – your tour operator or any information service operator at the airport can also help you track down the counter.

The representatives at the counter will then help you go through a smooth and speedy check-in process, it’s nothing like your check-in for international flights! On the completion of your check-in, the representatives will then assist you to the air-conditioned buses, which will transport you to the beautiful Noovilu Speaplne Terminal, where you can find snacks and beverages as well as spaces to freshen up before your departure.

The seaplane terminal itself is a beautiful spot to visit before your flight. Make sure you head outside and get the scenic view of the seaplanes that are ready to take off, all lined up with the backdrop of the Maldives. It’s truly a breathtaking view you must capture!

02. Travel like a VIP

Feeling like arriving at your resort like a VIP? TMA ensures top-notch luxurious facilities for VIP guests who want to travel like a boss! One of the special benefits of being a VIP guest is the dedicated VIP lounges. Depending on the resort you’re booking your stay at, you might get to explore the VIP lounge for the dedicated resort, or you can enjoy the TMA VIP lounge where relaxation and comfort become a top priority.

VIP guests are facilitated with cooling towels, beverages, snacks and the most scenic view of the seaplane terminal as they wait for their departure.

03. How much Baggage can I take?

You may think that TMA seaplanes will only allow a small amount of baggage. But don’t worry, the standard baggage allowance is 20 kg of checked-in luggage and 5kg of hand luggage per person. This is the perfect amount for your trip to a resort, where the sunny weather asks for nothing more than beach wear!

04. Is TMA just for going to resorts?

TMA is more than just a seaplane transfer, it’s a journey through paradise where every moment creates a lasting memory. Whether it is a resort transfer or a private charter a journey with TMA is something every traveller needs to have on their bucket list. So here are some additional services that TMA provides for travellers to enjoy the true beauty of Maldives:

Photo Flights – The photo flight charter service includes a 10-minute flyover, where you can capture the most scenic views of the Maldives. Don’t worry, this charter service comes at a reasonable price, you can always email bd@transmaldivian.com for more information!
Private Charter – If you’re looking to fly to your destination in full VIP, you can charter a TMA flight from and to any destination! Now that’s called flying in ultimate luxury style.
Excursions – You can always book your dolphin and sunset excursions at the resort, but you must book a full-day or half-day excursion with TMA as well! This is truly the best way to enjoy the islands and sandbanks of the Maldives, where you can enjoy a picnic with your loved ones and enjoy the true luxury of the destination.
Passenger Evacuation Flights – TMA also provides flights upon request for medical or other emergencies from resorts or local islands that are located within the seaplane zone.

05. Can I carry a surfboard or equipment on a TMA flight?

Maldives is truly the dream destination for surfers from all around the world, and sometimes to reach your dream surfing destination the most ideal way might be to hop on a TMA flight. For these special baggage, such as surfboards or large and heavy equipment, TMA fully recommends chartering a flight, as the size restrictions of the cabin or luggage compartment make it difficult to accommodate such baggage on a scheduled flight.

Now that you know all the little details from your check-in to the VIP services, are you ready to book a trip to the Maldives and enjoy the most breathtaking views with TMA?

If you love traveling and earning rewards, the expanded partnership between Marriott Bonvoy and Emirates Skywards is great news. With over 35 million members worldwide, this collaboration lets you convert points between the two programs, doubling your opportunities to earn and redeem rewards whether you fly or stay at a hotel. Here’s a simple guide to what this means for you and how to get the most out of your travel loyalty programs.

What Is the Marriott Bonvoy and Emirates Skywards Partnership?

Marriott Bonvoy is the loyalty program for Marriott International’s vast hotel portfolio, including more than 30 brands worldwide. Emirates Skywards is the frequent flyer program of Emirates Airlines, flying to over 140 destinations globally. Together, they’ve been partnering for over 10 years to let travelers earn rewards faster now with a new feature that lets you convert Skywards Miles to Marriott Bonvoy Points and vice versa.

How Does the Points and Miles Conversion Work?

The key highlight of this partnership is the seamless conversion between Marriott Bonvoy Points and Emirates Skywards Miles:

Convert Marriott Bonvoy Points to Emirates Skywards Miles: For every 3 Marriott Bonvoy Points, you get 1 Skywards Mile. Plus, if you convert 60,000 points, you receive a bonus of 5,000 Skywards Miles.
Convert Emirates Skywards Miles to Marriott Bonvoy Points: Starting now, you can convert 3 Skywards Miles into 2 Marriott Bonvoy Points. The minimum transfer is 3,000 Miles.

To make a conversion, log in to your Emirates Skywards account, enter your Marriott Bonvoy membership details, and convert easily on the Emirates website.

Double Your Rewards Earn Both Points and Miles

Here’s how you earn more rewards by linking your accounts:

When staying at Marriott Bonvoy hotels: Earn 1 Skywards Mile for every USD 1 spent, on top of your Marriott Bonvoy points.
When flying Emirates: Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite and above members earn 3 Marriott Bonvoy Points for every USD 1 spent on Emirates flights, in addition to Skywards Miles.

If you have elite status in either program, you also get special perks like priority check-in, priority boarding on Emirates flights, late hotel checkout, and complimentary in-room Wi-Fi.

Who Can Benefit Most from This Partnership?

This program is perfect for frequent travelers who fly with Emirates and stay at Marriott hotels regularly. To maximize benefits:

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite, Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite, and Ambassador Elite members earn bonus points on Emirates flights and get airport perks.
Emirates Skywards Silver, Gold, and Platinum members earn miles on Marriott stays and receive hotel elite benefits like late checkout and priority check-in.

Keep in mind, you need to be registered with both programs under the same name and link your accounts to enjoy these benefits.

Why This Partnership Matters for Travelers

With this upgraded collaboration, your travel rewards become more flexible and valuable. Whether you want to use your points to book a luxurious hotel stay across 144 countries or redeem miles for flights to 158 destinations, this partnership opens doors to a more rewarding travel experience.

It’s especially helpful if you want to switch between earning hotel points and airline miles without losing value. Plus, the ability to earn both simultaneously makes every trip more rewarding.

How to Get Started

Make sure you are an active member of both Marriott Bonvoy and Emirates Skywards.
Link your accounts online through the Your World Rewards portal or Emirates website.
Start earning double rewards on flights and hotel stays.
Convert points and miles easily whenever you want to enjoy stays or flights.
Don’t forget to check your elite status perks before booking to get the most value.

Elevate Your Travel Rewards with Marriott and Emirates

If you travel often, this enhanced Marriott Bonvoy and Emirates Skywards partnership gives you more freedom and flexibility to earn and spend rewards across a global network of hotels and flights. The ability to convert miles to points and vice versa means your loyalty rewards can work exactly how you want them to whether that’s booking your next Emirates flight, upgrading your hotel stay, or simply enjoying exclusive perks.

Link your accounts today to start maximizing your travel rewards and experience the best of both worlds the comfort of Marriott hotels and the luxury of Emirates flights all while earning twice the rewards.

*As announced on 27th May 2025 by Emirates