Malta With Love: A Mediterranean Trip Preview

A trip built around Malta - five days on the island exploring history, food, and the Mediterranean coast, connected by Finnair business class from JFK and wrapping up with a Rome stopover on the way home. Here's how it all comes together.

The Outbound · Finnair · Malta · Rome · Home

Malta doesn't get the attention it deserves in the US travel conversation. While Delta recently began their twice weekly service to the island, it should be higher on more people's lists.

This trip report is built around it with five days on the island and a day in Rome on the way home to break up the return. The routing: Finnair business class from JFK to Helsinki, a Wizz Air hop from Rome to Malta, and AA business class back home from Rome to JFK.

Here's the full preview.

The Outbound: The Bridge at JFK

Before takeoff, we make a stop at The Bridge - a newer area within the Greenwich lounge at JFK. It's a hidden nook that I was excited to explore for the first time and is one not to sleep on.

Finnair JFK to Helsinki in AirLounge Business Class

This is a business class product I was very excited to return to. Finnair's AirLounge business class product is a very different approach to business class. The seat is a fixed-shell reverse-herringbone offering that doesn't fully recline in the traditional sense but still converts into a lie-flat bed. The design has drawn strong reviews across the industry, and it's paired with Finnair's typically strong service.

We've written before about Finnair being one of the best AAdvantage redemptions to Europe and were excited to be onboard again.

Finnair Business Lounge Schengen

Helsinki's Finnair Business Lounge for Schengen departures is one of the better hub lounges in Europe. We'll take a quick look at the Nordic design, quiet spaces, and food and beverages that reflects Helsinki's growing culinary reputation.

Finnair HEL to Rome in Intra-European Business Class

The continuing leg from Helsinki to Rome is on Finnair's intra-European business class - which, like most European short-haul business class, is a middle-seat-blocked economy configuration. Still, service and catering elevate the experience compared to standard European economy.

Wizz Air FCO to Malta

After making it to Italy, we needed a cheap connection from Rome to Malta. Wizz Air isn't glamorous but it gets you where you need to go for a reasonable fare. We'll share a snapshot of the ULCC experience - one hour and change in the air, done.

Five Days in Malta

The core of the trip. Five days based on the island exploring what Malta has to offer:

The Hilton Malta - a "5-star" property

Malta at War Museum — Malta played an outsized role in World War II due to its strategic location, and the museum captures both the military and civilian experience.

The Return: A Day in Rome

Our return routing includes a one-day stopover in Rome before flying home. Not enough time to see the whole city but enough to walk through some of the historic center, get a decent meal, and stay somewhere interesting.

Art'otel Rome — a new design-forward hotel option in Rome's boutique hotel market. This was a stay that left me genuinely impressed.

The Return Home: AA FCO to JFK on the 787-9 Business

Finally, the trip home is on American's 787-9 from Rome to JFK on the older Super Diamond product rather than the newer Flagship Suite.

The Full Series

Post	Status
Malta With Love: Trip Preview	You are here
The Bridge (Greenwich Lounge) JFK review	Coming soon
Finnair JFK–HEL AirLounge Business Class review	Coming soon
Finnair Business Lounge Schengen review	Coming soon
Finnair HEL–Rome Intra-European Business review	Coming soon
Wizz Air FCO–MLA snapshot	Coming soon
Hilton Malta review	Coming soon
Malta at War Museum	Coming soon
Art'otel Rome review	Coming soon
AA FCO–JFK 787-9 Business review	Coming soon

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