Message: I'm about to book a flight for Italy later this spring. I've found comparable deals on nonstop flights to Rome with American (767s both ways) and Alitalia (777s). Which should I choose? The impression I get is that service is better on American. What I'm particularly curious about is whether there's much difference in the types of planes. Can I assume that both will be relatively new? Does one model have a better safety record than the other? Is one more comfortable? Any feedback would be much appreciated.

The 777 is a far newer design of aircraft than the 767. Its also a larger aircraft.

Check the discussion on the European board as to the current situation with Alitalia. This may be important to you.

American, for sure. More room in coach, better service. 767 is fine--you won't have the in-seat entertainment system that some 777's have, but I don't know if Alitalia even has those in its 777's.

Alitalia 777s have the in-flight entertainment system at each seat. There was also substantial room in coach - no problem with legroom (I'm 6'0). Service was also fine, with pretty good wine and decent food. Also, not sure about AA, but drinks/wine were free on the flight. I know DL has started charging for drinks on all flights, including international.

AMERICAN. Alitalia is well known for departure delays and cancellations...

Have flown on both. I would avoid Alitalia at all costs. Service on American is OK and usually predicable. Not so on Alitalia though they do have much better red wine!

Do not take Alitalia! They are having "rolling" strikes, where one department will strike for a while. We just got back from Italy. On our flight to Rome we landed at 4:15PM, the baggage handlers went on strike at 4:00PM. They would not off load our luggage until strike was over, at midnight. Even though we stood in line and filled out the papers to have the luggage delivered to the hotel, it didn't happen. We went back to the airport the next day around noon, got into baggage claim, found our bags. There was no security at all! No one checked to see if we had our own bags! I will never fly Alitalia again!