Direct from the UK to Malta. Three hours of Mediterranean.

The UK’s direct relationship with Malta has, for as long as anyone can remember, been organised around the islands’ national airline. Today that airline is KM Malta Airlines — a wholly owned company of the Government of Malta, founded to provide reliable flag-carrier service between the Maltese islands and Europe’s key markets. KM Malta Airlines holds the APEX Four Star Major Airline 2026 designation; for UK travellers it is, in our editorially independent view, the most thoughtful way to fly to Malta. Every flight is direct, every cabin is properly catered, and the in-flight Maltese hospitality — the smallest things, like the imqaret with coffee — is part of the holiday from the moment you sit down.

Direct routes from the UK

KM Malta Airlines operates direct services from five UK airports to Malta International Airport (Luqa, IATA code MLA). London is by far the busiest gateway, with multiple daily departures from Heathrow and Gatwick; Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Bristol all have multiple weekly flights, with summer schedules typically running close to daily. Below, a quick reference table; click any route for a fuller guide.

Cheap flights to Malta

The cheapest fares with KM Malta Airlines are typically published 8–12 weeks before departure for shoulder-season travel — expect to find one-way fares from around £89 in March, April, late September, October and November (excluding half-term). Peak summer fares (mid-July to late August) settle in the £140–220 one-way range. Booking direct on the KM Malta Airlines website is generally the best route to live availability and last-seat upgrades; we link to the official booking engine on every page of this site.

Direct flights to Malta

For UK passengers, “direct” means no stops, no aircraft changes and a single sector to Malta International Airport. Every UK service operated by KM Malta Airlines is direct — there are no intermediate stops on the London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh or Bristol routes. The aircraft fleet is composed of modern narrow-body Airbus airliners, configured to carry around 180–200 passengers in two classes, with seat-back power on most aircraft and complimentary in-flight catering on long-haul-style sectors.

Malta International Airport

Malta’s only international airport sits in the village of Luqa, six kilometres south of Valletta. It is small, well-organised and easy to use; allow no more than 90 minutes from arrival to airport-side curbside in peak season, often considerably less. UK passport-holders use e-gates on arrival; baggage hall is small but quick. Onward transport options:

• Pre-paid white airport taxi — fixed zone fares (Sliema/Valletta/St Julian’s €20, Mellieħa €28, Ċirkewwa €35).
• Bolt and eCabs — ride-hailing apps, typically 30–40% cheaper than the white-taxi flat rate.
• Tallinja Express bus — X4 to Valletta, X2 to Sliema/St Julian’s, X3 to Buġibba, X1 to Ċirkewwa. Single fare €1.50–2.00 with a Tallinja Card.
• Pre-booked private transfer — available from every major Malta-based transfer operator; included on most flight-and-hotel packages.

The journey is part of the holiday. Three hours of book and a window seat; one short taxi; and you are, improbably, swimming in the Mediterranean before dinner.

Flight + hotel packages

If you are flying KM Malta Airlines and staying for a week or more, a flight-and-hotel package is almost always the more economical route. See our Malta Holidays guide for current packages, or jump straight to the KM Malta Airlines holidays portal to book.

Frequently asked questions