5 days on the Island of Malta

Malta has always held a profound fascination for me. The island state is renowned among aviation enthusiasts for housing an impressive array of business jets and distinctive aircraft in its aircraft register. Moreover, the presence of several prominent maintenance facilities at the airport further entices attracting impressive airplanes from all corners of the globe. Coupled with Malta's breathtaking natural scenery, these aspects have undoubtedly ignited a profound sense of anticipation within me for this forthcoming journey.

Flying on Swiss

Swiss operates four weekly flights to Malta utilizing a variety of aircraft. In my case, LX1790 was operated by a one-year-old Airbus A320neo. Being my first time flying on an A320neo, I eagerly anticipated experiencing the new generation of narrow-body jets. However, the scheduled departure time of 06:45 am was less than thrilling.
Despite my tiredness upon waking up, the excitement of exploring a new country overshadowed any fatigue. I arrived at Zürich Airport at 05:15 am, finding the airport surprisingly calm. Soon, I found myself at gate A66, eagerly awaiting the commencement of boarding. It's worth mentioning that I hadn't reserved a seat, but since I was the first to check-in online, I was assigned seat 11F, which happened to be the second row of the overwing emergency exits. This unexpected seating arrangement provided ample legroom in an otherwise compact A320neo. Fortunately, the delay in takeoff was minimal.
While the weather in Zürich was rather overcast, as we ascended, we were greeted by the sight of the sun rising on the horizon, piercing through the thick layer of clouds.

On all short-haul flights with Swiss, beverages and snacks are not included, and we were only offered water. The crew, as always, was friendly and did not hesitate to provide a second bottle of water. Unfortunately, the Alps were obscured by a thick layer of clouds.
The flight itself was remarkably smooth and uneventful. Eventually, we began our descent into Malta, catching glimpses of the picturesque islands of Gozo and Kemmuna before soaring over the main island, adorned with its capital, Valletta. After a duration of one hour and 52 minutes, we made a firm touchdown on runway 31.

Spotting at Malta-Luqa Airport

"The Spotter's Wall"

"The Spotter's Wall" is undeniably the most renowned location at Malta-Luqa Airport. It is conveniently accessible by bus, and I dedicated a significant portion of my time to spotting there. This spot provides an exceptional vantage point of runway 13/31, as well as a clear view of the apron adjacent to the new terminal. A small platform is available, ensuring an unobstructed view beyond the airport perimeter fence. I thoroughly enjoyed this spot, as it offered picturesque backgrounds and proximity to the runway. For most aircraft movements, a 100-400mm lens would suffice. However, if you desire a side shot of a 777, for instance, it's advisable to bring a lens such as a 70-200mm.

Medavia hangars

In close proximity to "The Spotter's Wall" lie the Medavia hangars, one among the many maintenance companies situated at the airport. It's highly likely that you'll come across intriguing aircraft parked outside. Numerous spots around the perimeter provide a clear view of nearly every conceivable apron, and there are certain areas where gaps in the fence allow for better visibility. Rest assured, security personnel will not disrupt you.

Landings runway 31

Towards the end of runway 31, you'll discover an excellent location for capturing landings. Do not worry about the perimeter fence, as this spot is conveniently elevated. Once again, a 100-400mm lens proves ideal for capturing various types of aircraft movements. The backdrop of this spot is incredibly photogenic and proves ideal for great photos.

Flying on Air Malta

After spending five days in Malta, it was time for my journey back home with Air Malta, the national carrier of the island. I was hoping to experience another flight on an A320neo, but my excitement was dampened when I learned that the aircraft for the flight would be 9H-AHS, an 11-year-old A320-214 that had previously served with Sri Lankan Airlines. Boarding turned out to be a bit chaotic and disorganized, but eventually, I found myself standing in front of our A320. As we prepared to board, an Emirates 777 from Larnaca taxied past us. Naturally, I couldn't resist the urge to capture a few photos before stepping onto our aircraft.

We began our taxi around 20 minutes behind schedule. However, as we reached the end of runway 31, the crew informed us of some technical issues with our aircraft, necessitating a return to our stand for inspection by the mechanics. With no updates on the status of the repairs for about 45 minutes, we finally embarked on a second attempt, which proved more successful. We swiftly took off, leaving the scenic islands of Malta behind.
When it comes to service on European short-haul flights, it's widely known that it can be rather limited. While many airlines still provide complimentary water, Air Malta takes a different approach. They do not offer anything for free, not even still water. It's astonishing to think that economy class passengers with Air Malta must pay for such a basic necessity.
Aside from that, Air Malta is not too bad. The aircraft was clean, and the seats were well-maintained. In conclusion, I would say that Air Malta provides an acceptable means of travel. However, if you have other options available, it would be wise to consider alternatives to Air Malta. They lack a distinctive character and frequently face significant delays and operational issues. There simply isn't a compelling reason to choose Air Malta.

During my flight to Malta, I was quite disappointed with the wing view as the Alps were completely concealed by clouds. However, on the return journey, luck was on our side. The Alps revealed themselves in the most breathtaking manner, providing a truly magnificent welcome. It was a truly fantastic sight to behold!