Is Alitalia that bad?
 

I'm looking to fly NY-Sicily in May 2016 and the airfares and the scheduling on Alitalia are by far the best option. As there are no direct flights, and the stopover is in Rome, how concerned should I be with this airline? I had considered flying another airline nonstop and stopping over on the way there and back, but with 2 weeks only, a stopover in either direction isn't realistic.

I'm looking at keeping the duration of the 2 flights to 11-13 hours, which translates to stopovers in Rome of about 1 1/2 hours for the change of flight.

The cost with Alitalia is, on average, under $1300/ticket, which is reasonable from what I've seen. The Lufthansa flights are over $2000 each. Delta has fewer options and the timing of the flight that I would take is close to $2000 as well and, since it codeshares with Alitalia, at least one of the flights would be on the latter.

So it looks like Alitalia is the only realistic option. However, I have read so many bad reviews and so few good ones that it makes me more than a little concerned. Between rude service, lost luggage (we generally do carry on) and missed connections, I'm a bit worried, to be honest.

Thoughts, recommendations, reassurances? Any positive experiences with Alitalia to ease my concerns?

Greatly appreciate any feedback!

I think few of us consider the flights the best part of any trip, so if it gets you to your destination in 1 piece and your luggage with you, then, for $700+ savings I'd certainly book on Alitalia. I've used them twice that I can remember and they fulfilled all my requirements. Don't let the nitpicker's complaints cost you what I consider real money. Book it.

And you may be stuck between 2 obeses, whether on Italia or Lufth.

Many thanks, MmePerdu -- sometimes you just have to deal with what exists and make the best of it. Hopefully, there won't be any problems and I'll make sure we meet carry-on requirements.

pariswat - I don't think that the "obeses" are specific to these 2'airlines, somehow.

Regarding fat people in coach, there are so many variables on both sides of this equation, I can only give my most recent experience, and defend neither side in general. Arriving at my bulkhead seat I found a BIG guy in the seat next to mine. I asked the flight attendant if there were other seats and got a "no", plane was full, no surprise. I soon found that my neighbor was a delightful person, the friendliest I'd encountered on a plane in a very long time, and somehow, I don't know how, managed to not invade my space at any time. I no longer believe that particular generalization, that a fat neighbor can ruin one's flight. It just depends.

Alitalia isn't great, but I don't particularly care for Lufthansa either. I'd take Alitalia.

Thanks travel gourmet. I'm waiting to get the okay from work for my dates and will buy the airline,tickets then.

Thanks for the feedback - it's much appreciated.

If they're good enough for the pope.....

noflyzone-That's exactly what I said to my husband during the news today. LOL. Pope Francis is a frugal guy so I'm wondering if he flew coach like we're doing.

Can't speak to Alitalia, but we flew into Naples and out of Rome and paid around $1000 for April/May this year. Airfares have really been going down, so maybe fares will drop in time. If they don't, I would definitely go with the cheaper fare.

Thanks, everyone -- it's good to know that the Pope feels safe to fly with them, too!

I've been watching for a while and the flights to Sicily have been, at best, hovering in the $1300 range. I don't know if I should wait a little longer or just bite the bullet and purchase them now. I have a very limited time frame to work with -- part of the extra cost, too, is we will be flying out & returning on a weekend. I don't have the kind of flexibility to go during the week since I'd rather maximize my days. We'll be traveling the last 2 weeks in May so will have 14 actual nights in Sicily.

My feeling on the subject has been to find a fare I can live with and don't look back. We all know what fickle things airfares can be and what's available today likely will not be tomorrow (or later today). While it's true they may go down, they also may not to your particular destination. With a limited time frame it makes buying an acceptable fare even more important. In addition, you can then stop thinking about it and go on to more interesting thoughts.

Yup, air fares are like roulette. Progol, we could fly mid week and left in late April which would be cause for a lower fare. I was surprised when I found it.

Thanks, yestravel & MmePerdu. I will probably purchase the tickets I. The next few days. And I agree, MmeP., once I purchase the tickets, I don't look back. So I'm inclined to purchase them and focus on the actual trip.

One last question -- since I plan on booking the trip direct from NYC to Sicily on Alitalia, with a stopover in Rome, would we be going through customs in Rome or in Sicily when we arrive?

And, on the return, will we need to check in again in Rome for the international flights or are we checked in when we leave Palermo?

On the flights that I'm looking at, there is a 2 hour layover in Rome on the way to Sicily, and 1 1/2 hours on the return. Since the booking will be direct and through Alitalia, I'm assuming that there should not be additional checkins in Rome. But if anyone has experience to confirm this, I'd appreciate it.

Paule

<i>One last question -- since I plan on booking the trip direct from NYC to Sicily on Alitalia, with a stopover in Rome, would we be going through customs in Rome or in Sicily when we arrive?</i>

You will definitely go through immigration/passport control in Rome. I believe you will go through customs (a non-event, unless you are importing something) in Sicily, but I am not 100% certain.

Thanks travelgourmet, appreciate that. Hopefully all will go smoothly then and the 2 hours will be enough time for the next flight.

Is there any reason to be concerned for the return flight? I would think not, but would love to know from anyone who might have some knowledge about the connection, which is all with Alitalia.

I bought my tickets and now hope for the best!

Thanks for the feedback, everyone.

Paule

Seems logical to look at prices.
I must go to China end of the month.
With one company it costs 4000 € (chinese). With another one (European) : 6500 €.
I fly Chinese. No <w

This may be late, but it is a chance to vent. I took my first Alitalia flight this past week, on an Air France ticket. The flight attendants were, at their best, sullen. The aircraft was dirty and the interior poorly maintained. It is the only airline I have been on in at least a year that insists that Kindle and similar devices are turned off during takeoff and landing, the baggage service was terrible. I will avoid them in the future.