Luqa, Malta
Smoking policy at Luqa, Malta International Airport (MLA)
Warnings & Caveats
Passengers flying to the UK or Republic of Ireland must smoke BEFORE passing through border control into the Non-Schengen gate area. There is no smoking beyond the passport booths for these routes, and you cannot re-enter the Schengen area once you have passed through. Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the terminal building at all times.
Malta International Airport (MLA) is one of the more smoker-friendly airports in Europe, offering designated outdoor areas both before and after security. Smoking is banned inside the terminal building entirely, but you have real options airside if you plan ahead, and the setup is compact enough that nothing is far to walk.
Before Security
Landside smoking is permitted in several designated outdoor areas:
Outside near the arrivals side of the terminal building, in clearly marked outdoor zones.
At the departures drop-off points, opposite the bus terminal.
On the Observation Deck (Level 3), which is open 24/7 and offers open-air views of the airfield. This is a proper outdoor terrace with seating and partial shade from the distinctive tree-shaped pergola structures.
A traveler report from January 2023 noted that cigarette vending machines selling individual packs are available at the public smoking areas, which is handy if you're running low.
After Security
Two confirmed options exist once you're through security:
Smoking area near Gate 1: A dedicated outdoor smoking spot located past the Relish cafe at one end of the departures hall. It has its own bar and a cigarette vending machine. Multiple traveler reports through September 2024 confirm it remains open. You don't appear to need to buy anything from Relish to use the terrace, though it's associated with the eatery.
Lavalette Business Lounge outdoor terrace: The Lavalette lounge (also spelled "Valette" in some reports) has a spacious, beautifully furnished outdoor terrace overlooking the airfield where smoking is permitted. Access is available to eligible business-class passengers and frequent flyers, or you can pay a walk-in fee (the exact price is not published in the sources reviewed here, so check directly with the lounge or at the desk on arrival). A September 2024 traveler confirmed the entire terrace was available to smokers.
Transit and Layovers: Non-Schengen Warning
This is the most critical thing to know if you're flying to the UK or Republic of Ireland. You must smoke before passing through border control into the Non-Schengen gate area. Once you go through the passport booths for those flights, there are no smoking facilities beyond that point, and you cannot go back. A secondary smoking area that previously existed past that checkpoint was closed several years ago. Plan accordingly and use the Gate 1 area or Lavalette terrace before you reach the passport booths.
Vaping
No specific vaping rules are mentioned in official airport communications or traveler reports. Treat it as subject to the same restrictions as smoking (outdoors, designated areas only) until you can confirm otherwise on arrival.
Bottom Line
MLA is genuinely accommodating for smokers: you have a public outdoor spot at Gate 1 with a bar and vending machine, plus a premium lounge terrace option. Just make sure you smoke before the Non-Schengen passport check if you're heading to the UK or Ireland.
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