Toiletry bag

I always take a small toiletry bag with me when travelling, filled with all kinds of goodies to make the journey more pleasant.

Remember to always adhere to the LAG (liquid, Aerosols and Gels) rules for hand luggage. For more information on LAG rules look at these websites: TSA Carry on's or ACSA LAG's

Here is a list of the items I like to keep in my toiletry bag

 

Soft Earplugs	Try to find Ear Planes - they can equalise the pressure in your ears and prevent ear pain caused by changing cabin pressure.  Earplugs also help eliminate cabin noise.  Noise cancelling earphones is a better but more expensive option to eliminate cabin noise.
Inflatable Travel pillow	I prefer an u-shaped neck pillow with a flat back
Soft and thick Eye mask	Most airlines provide you with an eye mask, but I prefer using my own.
Anti bacterial wet wipes	Individually packed if you can find
Packet of tissues	Pocket size
Travel size toothbrush	Try to find one that has a cover over the bristles
Travel size toothpaste (less than 100ml)	Look for them at pharmacies, cosmetic stores or travel accessory shops.
Lip balm
Travel size hand lotion	Look for them at pharmacies, cosmetic stores or travel accessory shops.
Small mirror
Herbal sleeping tablets	To help me sleep on long haul flights. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using any medication
A couple of headache tablets	There is a variety of medication available to avoid motion sickness. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using any medication
Travel sickness medication	Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using any medication
Two band aids
Small comb/brush combo	Look for them at pharmacies, cosmetic stores or travel accessory shops.
Chewing gum	Chewing gum or sucking on a mint can help alleviate ear pain during cabin pressure changes e.g. when descending to land
Mints	To freshen your breath

Travel size perfume

Available on some flights during in-flight shopping or at cosmetic stores.

• If you suffer from dry eyes, consider taking eye drops, as the air inside the aircraft can become very dry
• If you need to redo your make up prior to landing consider makeup removal wipes - keep the queues at the toilet in mind, there should be bathroom facilities at your arrival airport, and if possible you can freshen up while waiting for your luggage.
• For the men that needs to shave, pack in a razor and travel size shaving cream. Only safety razors are allowed - see Prohibited items.  Razors that can be opened and the razor blade removed are not allowed. Razors that have the blade set into a plastic moulding are not prohibited. Some airlines provide razors on board, find out more from your travel agent or airline.
• Be careful when opening makeup/lotion stored in a tube as the cabin pressure can cause it to spill.
• Please consider your fellow passengers before putting on perfume in a confined space, rather wait until you are at the airport.

Air Malta Economy Class Airbus A319

Route

KM307 Munich to Malta Luqa 17 July 2012

Duration

2 hours 15 min

On time departure and Arrival

Departed and arrived on time, although boarding was about 15 minutes late

Ground Crew and check-in

The first leg of this journey was from Munich and online check-in was not available.
Self service check-in kiosks are available at Munich Airport. Your boarding card is printed at the kiosk, and you drop off your luggage at the drop off counters.  Check-in, and luggage drop off is handled by Lufthansa
Ground staff was friendly and very helpful.

Boarding procedure

Boarding was in no particular order. The electronic boarding gates did not operate, so the boarding cards were manually scanned by the ground crew. We had a bridge to the aircraft and boarding went smooth.

Luggage allowance

Hand luggage - One carry on bag 8kg max
Checked luggage - 23kg

Seating

Number of seats - 141 in total, economy has limited recline seats.
View more information at -  A319 Economy seat information
To reserve a seat when booking your ticket, you can pay an extra €10.00, this enables you to pre book your seat (you can book a seat in the exit row which has generous legroom). The overhead locker space was adequate.

Amenities

None.

Entertainment

Small overhead screens with information on the flight progress. English, German and Maltese newspapers are available upon boarding. In-flight magazine available in seat pocket.

In-flight communication

None

Meals and refreshments

Lunch
On the tray -  A hotdog bun, cold meats and cheese. Small desert, butter, cutlery, wet wipe and serviette. Cup for coffee/tea, one sachet sugar and one sachet coffee creamer.
It is not possible to pre-order any special meals, you have to ask for vegetarian etc.when the crew serves your food.
Alternative choices are not always available.
I tried the vegetarian meal which consisted of a hotdog bun, cheese, tomato, lettuce and a muffin.
I am not very impressed with the food on Air Malta, in general it doesn't look very fresh and is not very tasty
Drinks are served with meals. Coffee and tea are served after meals. What I do like is the tea being served with a slice of lemon.  Alcoholic beverages can be purchased, a beer was around €3.00.

Toilets

The toilets were kept clean, economy class can only use the toilets at the back of the aircraft.
Basin to wash hands and brush teeth

In-flight shopping

None.

Travelling with Children

Some of the toilets have diaper boards.
Milk and baby food can be warmed up by the cabin crew
Read more on Air Malta - Travelling with Infants

Crew

I found the crew competent and friendly. Instructions were given in German, Maltese and English.

Disembarking

Business class disembarked first. The aircraft was park close to the terminal building and a quick walk will get you inside.

Overall opinion

What I liked
We booked the exit seat which was comfortable with enough leg room.
The plane was quiet with not too many rattles and noise.

Not so good
The meals are not up to standard.
The rest of the economy seats have enough legroom but it's not generous.

Seating



Seating at exit row



Lunch

Vegetarian lunch