Flights to Malta: Airlines, Routes and Connections

Flying to Malta: What You Need to Know

Malta is served by Malta International Airport (MLA), the country's only scheduled passenger airport. Direct flights operate from many cities across Europe, together with some longer-haul services, while travellers without a nonstop option can usually reach Malta with one connection.

Routes and flight frequencies change throughout the year, with some services operating only seasonally. This guide will help you compare the main airlines serving Malta, direct-flight countries and cities, major connecting gateways, and options for finding a flight that suits your trip.

If you are still comparing different ways of reaching the islands, see our guide on how to get to Malta. For information about arrivals, airport facilities and getting from the terminal to your accommodation, see our Malta International Airport guide.

Flights to Malta: Quick Facts

• Airport: Malta International Airport
• Airport code: MLA
• Scheduled passenger airports in Malta: One
• Direct flights: Malta has direct connections with cities across Europe and selected longer-haul destinations.
• Seasonal routes: Some airlines and destinations operate only during part of the year.
• Connections: If there is no direct flight from your departure city, Malta can usually be reached with one connection through a major European or international hub.
• Before booking: Always check your exact travel dates, as routes and flight frequencies can change by season.

Malta Flights Guide

• Which Airlines Fly to Malta?
• Direct Flights to Malta by Country and City
• Major European Gateways to Malta
• Seasonal vs Year-Round Flights
• Long-Haul Flights and Connections
• Airline Contacts and Help
• How to Find Flights to Malta
• Malta Flight Guides by Country or City

Which Airlines Fly to Malta?

Malta International Airport is served by a mixture of low-cost, full-service and leisure airlines, giving travellers a wide choice of direct routes from across Europe and selected destinations farther afield.

Some of the main airlines serving Malta include:

• KM Malta Airlines – Malta's national carrier, with routes to a range of major European cities.
• Ryanair – one of the largest operators at Malta, serving numerous European destinations.
• easyJet – operates several routes between Malta and the UK and other European cities.
• Lufthansa – provides direct services to Germany and useful onward connections through its network.
• British Airways – connects Malta with London.
• Emirates – operates services linking Malta with Dubai.
• Turkish Airlines – connects Malta with Istanbul and its wider international network.
• Jet2 – operates flights from a number of UK airports.
• Wizz Air – serves Malta from selected European cities.
• Other airlines operate additional scheduled and seasonal routes throughout the year.

The exact airline mix changes between summer and winter, so check your travel dates before relying on a particular route.

Flying Into Malta International Airport

Direct Flights to Malta by Country and City

Malta has direct flights from many cities across Europe, with particularly strong connections from the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, France and other major European travel markets.

Depending on the season, direct flights to Malta can also be available from cities in countries including:

• United Kingdom – with services from London and several regional airports.
• Italy – including major cities and regional airports across the country.
• Germany – with connections from several important German airports.
• France – including direct services from Paris and other French cities.
• Spain – including routes from cities such as Madrid and Barcelona.
• Ireland – with direct links between Malta and Ireland.
• Austria, Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands – with a selection of direct European services.
• Central and Eastern Europe – including routes from several cities across Poland, Hungary, Romania, Serbia and neighbouring countries.
• Scandinavia – with direct services available from selected Nordic cities.
• Mediterranean and regional destinations – including services linking Malta with destinations around Southern Europe, North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Direct routes can change between the summer and winter schedules. If you are planning around a specific departure airport, check that the service operates on your exact travel dates before booking.

Major European Gateways to Malta

If there is no convenient direct flight from your nearest airport, Malta can often be reached with one connection through a major European hub.

Useful connection points can include:

• London – particularly useful for travellers connecting from the UK, North America and other international markets.
• Frankfurt and Munich – major Lufthansa hubs with extensive European and long-haul networks.
• Rome – a practical connection point for flights through Italy and the wider Mediterranean.
• Paris – useful for connections from France and many international destinations.
• Amsterdam – a major European hub with a wide international network.
• Vienna and Zurich – useful alternatives for travellers connecting through Central Europe.
• Istanbul – particularly useful for connections from the Middle East, Asia and other destinations served through the Turkish Airlines network.

When comparing connecting flights, look at the total journey time, connection length, baggage arrangements and whether the whole trip is booked on one ticket. A slightly longer route can sometimes be easier if it avoids changing terminals or collecting and rechecking baggage.

Seasonal vs Year-Round Flights

Malta has flights throughout the year, but the choice of direct routes is usually greater during the summer season. Some airlines increase their frequency during the busier travel months, while other routes may operate only for part of the year.

When checking a flight to Malta, keep these differences in mind:

• Year-round routes are generally the most reliable option if you are travelling outside the main summer season.
• Seasonal routes may operate only during spring, summer or early autumn.
• Some year-round routes operate more frequently in summer and less often in winter.
• Regional airports may have direct Malta flights during peak months but require a connection at other times of year.
• Airline schedules can change from one season to the next, even when the same route operated the previous year.

Always search using your exact travel dates rather than assuming that a direct route operates throughout the year.

Inside Malta International Airport departures

Long-Haul Flights and Connections

Travellers coming from outside Europe may either find a direct long-haul service to Malta or reach the islands with one connection through a major international hub.

Current options can include:

• Dubai – Emirates operates direct services between Dubai and Malta, providing connections to destinations across Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East.
• Istanbul – Turkish Airlines provides onward connections through its extensive international network.
• Doha – Qatar Airways can provide one-stop connections to Malta through Doha from many long-haul markets.
• Major European hubs – airports such as London, Frankfurt, Munich, Paris and Amsterdam can also provide practical one-stop routes to Malta.

If you are travelling from places such as Australia, Asia or parts of North America, compare the full journey rather than looking only at the first flight. Check the connection time, baggage arrangements and whether your flights are issued on one ticket.

Long-haul schedules and frequencies can change, so confirm your exact travel dates before booking.

Airline Contacts and Help

If you need to change a booking, check in, report baggage problems or contact an airline, use the airline’s official website, app or current customer-support page whenever possible. Telephone numbers, office hours and local handling arrangements can change, so older contact details found online may no longer be valid.

A few useful points:

• Air Malta no longer operates. It ceased flying in March 2024 and was replaced by KM Malta Airlines.
• If you are looking for Air Malta customer service or Air Malta contact details, use the current KM Malta Airlines support channels instead.
• For Ryanair, easyJet, Lufthansa, British Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Jet2 and other airlines, check the official airline website for the latest telephone, chat, booking and baggage support options.
• For flight status or airport-specific information, use Malta International Airport’s current flight information and the operating airline’s own updates.

Avoid relying on old phone numbers or email addresses, especially when dealing with urgent changes, cancellations or baggage problems.

Former Air Malta aircraft at Malta International Airport

How to Find Flights to Malta

When searching for flights to Malta, use Malta International Airport's code MLA and compare both direct and connecting options for your exact travel dates.

A simple way to search is:

1. Check for a direct flight first. This is usually the easiest option, especially for a short Malta holiday.
2. Try nearby departure airports if your local airport has limited or seasonal Malta services.
3. Compare one-stop routes when there is no convenient direct flight. Major hubs can sometimes offer better timings or prices.
4. Check the operating airline before booking. Make sure you understand the baggage allowance, airport used, connection arrangements and ticket conditions.
5. Compare the complete journey, not only the fare. A cheaper itinerary may be less convenient if it includes a very long connection or separate tickets.
6. Search using your exact dates. Malta's airline schedules and route frequencies can differ considerably between summer and winter.

If your dates are flexible, checking a few days either side of your preferred departure can also reveal different direct-flight options.

Check-in area at Malta International Airport

Malta Flight Guides by Country or City

Planning your journey from a specific country or city? Our detailed flight guides look at direct flights where available, useful connection points, airlines and practical route options for reaching Malta.

• Dubai to Malta flights – direct services, airlines and connection options between Dubai and Malta.
• Flights to Malta from Australia – connection options and practical routes for travelling from Australia to Malta.
• Flights to Malta from the USA – flight and connection options for travelling from the United States to Malta.
• Flights to Malta from New York – options for travelling between New York and Malta, including direct and connecting flights.

We will continue adding more country and city flight guides to help you plan the most practical route to Malta from your departure point.

After You Book Your Flight to Malta

Once your flight is booked, keep the detailed airport planning separate from your flight search. Information about arriving at the terminal, airport facilities and onward transport belongs in our dedicated airport guides.

If you need specific help after booking:

• See our guide to airport taxis in Malta for information about reaching your accommodation.
• If you are interested in relaxing before departure, see our guide to Malta airport lounges.

This page will remain focused on airlines, routes, connections and finding flights to Malta, rather than duplicating detailed airport information.

Choosing the best way to fly to Malta depends on where you are travelling from, whether a direct route operates on your dates and which connection offers the most practical overall journey. Check current airline schedules before booking, especially when travelling on a seasonal route.

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We are Albert and Benjamin Magro, two Malta locals who enjoy exploring the island and sharing practical advice with visitors. Our guides combine local knowledge with first-hand visits to Malta’s towns, beaches, attractions and accommodation areas. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Facebook for more Malta tips, photos and videos.