Jim

Just took a great trip to Napoli, on that I'll elaborate further at another time, but just had to get the bad taste, pun intented, out of my mouth. <BR>Alitalia has achieved the dubious distinction <BR>of having worse food than American,they even have worse pasta, which for an Italian airline would seem unthinkable. A horrible experience flying from JFK to Milano,then Rome back to JFK. I'll go even further,the menu they served today, a tasteless fish I think was Cod and an unrecognizable meat I think might have been pork,was the same thing that they served 10 days ago.I couldn't eat it then,I couldn't eat it today. Thank God I had my trusty Trail mix in my carry-on. <BR>I loved Napoli despite the air pollution and sometimes dirty streets. I'm making plans to return , though it won't be on Alitalia.

kathy

We;ve flown Alitalia frequently and generally find the food to be better than most airlines. We also fly American alot - there is no comparision AA has abysmal food.

Jan

Kathy ~ Thanks for your reply. Flying on Alitalia next month & my previous experience w/ them (Barcelona~Rome four years ago) was first class. Worry more about on-time than food!

Walter

I must agree with Jim about the food. 1st off I'm far from a fussy eater, I'm a truckdriver/construction worker and I've eaten in countless greasy spoons and lunch wagons. But Alitalia has to have the worst food of any major airline, and yes Jim *I* also remember the pasta. If they resume the non-stop Boston-Rome run I'll fly them again (non-stop and great seat pitch) I'll just eat before I depart. This is my experience on 2 R/T on a 767-300ER BOS-FCO. Regards, Walter <BR>

howard

Question: Did you fly Alitalia because of the price? I'd gladly sacrifice some food quality for a better-priced ticket!

lorilen

I'm mystified by this too. I've been quite pleased with meals aboard Alitalia, but I was in first class. Maybe they've changed management? Like a lot of people, I've never choosen an airline for the quality of food, and I suspect that the industry may be getting hip to the fact that they can cut corners there without suffering any real consequences in the market?

Walter

Howard: In my case these flights were in the off-season and the fares on the majors were all in under $100US of each other. Of course in peak-season I'm sure that fare gap really widens up. Regards, Walter <BR>

Richard

My criteria for choosing an airline is 1.what will it cost to go there and back <BR>2. is it a non-stop and does it originate at DFW and 3. How does AA's price compare. I think only a gourmand would choose an airline based on menu.

Jim

I definately don't choose an airline for its food,but on some airlines like American and Alitalia you can be paying full coach fare for your seat and still be subjected to inedible food,or no food at all.I'll never forget a flight I took on American fom LGA to Dallas,about a three hour fight,mid day,and we were served a beverage and peanuts.I was paying full fare coach for the seat.That same year I was flying around Vietnam on half hour flights they gave you a nice sandwich,on hour long flights or more a full meal.We in The states get treated like garbage if you are not in business or first class.

russ

Just a thought re: Alitalia food in 1st class vs. coach. Alitalia is partners with Continental Airlines. Continental is consistantly voted as the number one First Class in In Flight Magazine. Maybe Continental requires a much higher level of food on their partner airlines as a result. <BR> <BR>Also, keep in mind that many Alitalia flights are code-share, so that would probably affect the quality as well. I have always had decent food in Alitalia First Class, though not quite on par with Continental.