Best airline to Rome from DFW?
 

We have planned a trip to Rome/Venice in October. My husband's employer is picking up the tab for first class tickets for us. Could you suggest the BEST airline? You know the one with all the extra perks i.e. sleeper reclining chairs, personnal tv/music, etc. who offers the best service and amenities.<BR>We will be flying from DFW.<BR>Thank you.

As you could tell by my name, I tend to favor AA. If you do pick them, you'll fly through Chicago. From Chicago it's a 767 and yes they do have flat beds in F. The service is spotty on occasion, but that's pretty true to all US major airlines. I would say that 80% of the time is great, 10% ok, and then few times were it was a crew from hell. Make sure you sign up to their AAdvantage club as you will get tons of extra miles since you're flying first class. Also the ticket entitles you to visit the Admiral Clubs at any of the 3 airports. I'm not sure about Rome as AA only flies there seasonally, but if they don't have a club there you could go to any of the OneWorld partner's club(like British Airways for example) You could get all the info on the clubs at AA.com. Have a great trip!

Thank you AA for your suggestions. We too, are AA frequent fliers and typically try to use AA when ever possible. I was just thinking maybe one of the other international airlines might offer better service.<BR>By the way, have you flown on the AA 777? We have wanted to experiece this plane, but have not had the opportunity. I heard wonderful things about it though. Someone suggested we fly the 777 from Dallas to London, connect on British Airways to Rome. What do you think? Is this too much trouble?

Hi Kim,<BR>No, no trouble, but for some reason, I did not even think about that possibility. That would be the best of both worlds. The 777 is my favorite plane, and if you're lucky to fly FC, the flight itself becomes part of your vacation memories. The crew on 777 seem to be just a notch better. BA to Rome FC, can't tell you anything about that, but I assume it would be a very nice flight. If you do have some miles already with AA, then it would make sense to fly AA especially in FC, as you will get bonus miles. Make sure you fly on AA metal across the big pond, because flying BA will not get you any miles. Once in Europe you will get miles flying BA.<BR>Have fun, and if you have any more questions I'm here to help you.

You must travel quite a bit,you are really knowledgable. Your comments were truly appreciated.<BR>Just talked to AA and on our travel dates they only have one FC award seat available. Isn't that always the case! Anyway, I went ahead and grabbed that one and will keep trying for another. The tickets priced out at $9300..ouch!!!! I was incorrect about the boss picking up the tab for 1st class, it is only for coach tickets.<BR>I really hope this works out, I want to fly on the 777.<BR>Is there any other international airline I may not be thinking of?<BR>BTW: have you ever been on the Concorde?<BR>Thanks again.<BR>

Hello again Kim,<BR>Excuse me but I'm little confused. Are you paying for the tickets, and if yes, are you using miles or just paying cash?<BR>You could actually fly just about any major European airline from DFW. You would obiously have to connect through some other city. Air France, Lufthansa, the new Swiss(they may all fly out of Dallas.) Also on Swiss you could earn AA miles, so maybe you could check into that as well, but I can't tell you what their FC looks like. I would not consider Iberia, and I really don't know much about AirItalia, but whatever I heard was not that good.<BR>Yes I had the pleasure of flying the Concorde just recently(after the crash). To be honest with you, other then the bregging rights and the certificate you get, the service was not impressive, the seats were average business class seats at best. You do get to see the curveture of the earth and yes it's true that the interior walls and windows get warm from the friction, but once is enough for me. I will take FC suites on AA or BA anytime over another Concorde flight.<BR>Have fun planning your trip!<BR>One more tip although I suspect you might know it, check the individual airline websites for pictures and descriptions of their FC cabins.