Flying easyJet to Malta During COVID-19 Restrictions Read Time and Rating
Our stay at the Hilton Malta St Julian’s started and ended with easyJet flights between Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Malta. We booked the flights in July for our September trip and chose flexible tickets because travel still felt uncertain with Covid restrictions in place.
The flights linked directly to our Hilton Malta stay, so the journey mattered. We wanted a simple, low-stress start to the holiday, especially since we had booked a five-night break at the Hilton Malta St Julian’s.
In This Trip Report
Hilton Malta St Julian’s Review: A Relaxing Malta Stay with Excellent Service
Booking the easyJet Flights
We booked flexible return tickets with EasyJet from Liverpool to Malta. The return cost was £164.98 per person, including an extra £4.00 charge for a front-row seat.
For the price, the flexible ticket offered good value. It included a large overhead cabin bag, a 23kg hold bag, an Up Front seat, easyJet Plus Bag Drop, Fast Track Security where available, Speedy Boarding, flexible flight changes, and a £7.50 Flexi Bistro voucher to spend on board.
Considering we had also booked the Hilton Malta St Julian’s on a flexible rate, the flights suited the trip well. During COVID travel, flexibility felt more important than saving a small amount on the fare.
Outbound Flight from Liverpool to Malta
Our outbound easyJet flight left Liverpool at 7.30 am and departed only four minutes late. The flight landed in Malta at 11.44 am, ahead of the scheduled midday arrival time.
That worked perfectly for our stay at the Hilton Malta because we arrived at the hotel before 2.00 pm. After a smooth check-in and welcome drink, we went straight to our upgraded King Junior Suite.
For a low-cost airline flight, the outbound journey did the job well. It ran close to schedule, the crew worked hard, and the early arrival gave us more time to enjoy the first day in Malta.
Check-In at Liverpool John Lennon Airport
Liverpool Airport felt quiet on the morning of travel. We used priority check-in, but the process still moved slowly because passengers needed to show vaccination certificates and locator forms.
A few people ahead of us did not have the right paperwork, which delayed the queue. Travel during COVID clearly added extra stress for both passengers and airport staff.
Fast Track Security came with the flexible ticket, but we did not need it because the airport was so quiet.
Aspire Lounge at Liverpool
We did not expect the Aspire Lounge at Liverpool John Lennon Airport to open, but it did. That gave us a more comfortable start to the trip before Boarding.
The lounge visit helped make the airport experience feel calmer, especially with the extra COVID checks and paperwork involved.
Boarding at Liverpool
Boarding at Liverpool felt like a typical easyJet experience. The gate opened early, and passengers crowded into a small area before staff moved everyone into a stairwell for around half an hour.
Because we sat in row 1, we wanted to board early to make sure we could place our hand luggage in the overhead bins. Front-row seats offer extra legroom, but they also mean you cannot keep your bag under the seat in front of you.
That made Speedy Boarding useful, although the boarding process still felt rushed and cramped.
Onboard the easyJet Airbus A320.
Both flights used an easyJet Airbus A320 with 180 economy seats. The seat pitch was 29 inches, with an 18-inch seat width.
We had front-row seats, which gave us more legroom. On the outbound flight from Liverpool, we also had an empty seat next to us, which made the three-hour flight much more comfortable.
The seats still felt basic and uncomfortable after a couple of hours, but that’s to be expected with a low-cost airline. For a flight of just over three hours, it felt manageable.
Covid Restrictions Onboard
Covid restrictions were still in place during the trip. Passengers needed to wear masks on board, and the crew on the outbound flight regularly reminded people to keep them on.
The outbound crew impressed us. They stayed visible throughout the flight, handled the food and drink service quickly, and kept reminding passengers about the mask rules.
That gave the flight a more organised feel and made the journey to Malta more comfortable.
Food and Drink Onboard
The flexible ticket included a £7.50 Bistro voucher, which helped with onboard food and drinks.
At the time of travel, a can of Coke cost £2.30, and a small tin of Pringles cost £2.00. The service moved quickly on the outbound flight, and the crew kept things running smoothly.
The food and drink offer was simple, but it worked for a short European flight.
Arrival in Malta
The flight landed in Malta ahead of schedule, which helped the trip get off to a good start. Immigration took slightly longer than usual due to Covid checks, but we still reached the Hilton Malta St Julian’s before 2.00 pm.
That timing made a big difference. Instead of losing the first day, we could check in, relax and start enjoying the hotel.
Check-In at Malta Airport for the Return Flight
The return journey from Malta felt less organised. The check-in desks did not open until two hours before departure, creating a rush when staff finally did.
Fortunately, a priority desk was operated, which helped us move through the queue. However, several passengers again seemed to have problems with travel documents.
That made the return airport experience feel more chaotic than Liverpool.
Lounge Access at Malta Airport
The Priority Pass app advised booking the Malta Airport lounge 24 hours before departure. We tried to book, but could not get access.
After security, we still took a chance and asked, especially as the lounge looked empty. Sadly, the staff would not let us in.
That felt frustrating, particularly as the lounge was open but unavailable to us.
Boarding in Malta
Boarding in Malta worked differently because passengers boarded by bus. The gate area felt more spacious than Liverpool, which helped.
Speedy Boarding allowed us to board the bus first and get onto the plane before other passengers. That mattered because, once again, we had front-row seats and needed overhead bin space for hand luggage.
Inbound Flight from Malta to Liverpool
The inbound flight left Malta at 7.47 pm local time, around 30 minutes late. The flight time was 3 hours and 21 minutes, and we arrived in Liverpool just after 11.00 pm.
The front row was full on the way back, so the flight felt less comfortable than the outbound journey. One passenger in the row also struggled to keep their mask on, which became annoying during a Covid-restricted flight.
The front toilet was also out of action on the return flight, leaving passengers to use the two toilets at the back of the aircraft.
Crew and Service on the Return Flight
The return crew did not match the standard of the outbound crew. They did not seem to remind passengers as much about masks, and children ran up and down the aisle during the flight.
That made the return journey feel less controlled and less relaxing. After a good stay at the Hilton Malta, the flight home felt like a reminder of the downsides of low-cost airline travel.
Tips for Flying easyJet to Malta
Book a flexible ticket for more benefits and peace of mind.
Choose a front-row seat if legroom matters, but remember you cannot keep your hand luggage by your feet.
Travel with a soft bag if you want something easier to store.
Use hold luggage if you want to avoid the rush for overhead locker space.
Check travel documents carefully before arriving at the airport, especially when restrictions or entry rules apply.
Final Verdict
Our easyJet flights to and from Malta met our expectations. The outbound journey from Liverpool worked well, with a strong crew, smooth service and an early arrival into Malta.
The return flight felt less impressive because check-in in Malta was chaotic, lounge access was denied, the flight departed late, and the onboard experience felt less controlled.
Even so, easyJet offered good value for the trip. The flexible ticket benefits helped, and the flights worked well enough for our stay at the Hilton Malta.
We would fly easyJet again, especially on shorter European routes, but we would keep expectations realistic.
Overall Rating – Flying easyJet to Malta During COVID-19 Restrictions
Final Rating: ★★★☆☆
Expectation Level: Met Our Expectations
Best For:
Travellers looking for a good-value flight to Malta, flexible ticket benefits, hold luggage, Speedy Boarding and a simple short-haul option from Liverpool.
Not Ideal For:
Travellers who want extra comfort, a premium experience, smooth Boarding, reliable lounge access or a more relaxed onboard atmosphere on flights over two hours.
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