Some Q's about Rome airport
 

I'll be flying from the US to Rome on AA, in business class, and then on to Florence on Alitalia, in coach. It's on two separate tickets.

I have a six hour layover. Will my boarding pass from the arriving flight allow me into the lounge? From what I read, it sounds like maybe the lounge is only for departing passengers.

If I can't get into the lounge, and want to go somewhere during the layover, like Ostia Antica (which I think is quite close), is it possible to store my luggage in the airport?

And speaking of luggage, is it better (or even possible) to check my luggage all the way from the US to Florence instead of to Rome? I think I've done such a thing before, but it's been many years.

And, if I can't get into the lounge, and don't want to leave the airport, is there enough in the airport to keep me from dying of boredom during the layover?

Thanks for any information and advice.

Celia

I can answer only one of your questions. AA will not check bags through to your final destination if your connecting flight is on a separate ticket. You'll have to retrieve your bags in Rome and check in again there with Alitalia.

You won't be able to get into any of the lounges at the Rome airport using the boarding pass for your incoming flight. As far as Alitalia and Rome airport is concerned you are flying in coach, not Business Class.

Forgot to include: You'll find some helpful information about the shops, restaurants and other facilities at Rome Airport here:

http://www.adr.it/web/aeroporti-di-r...-shopping-maps

I'm curious, why did you opt to fly to Florence with that long layover, rather than go by train? From the airport (FCO) it takes less than 2 1/2 hours with 1 change at Roma Tibertina station.

Thank you Jeff & RoamsAround.

Madame, I chose to fly because I got an incredible hotel deal in Florence if I bundled flight and hotel. I may regret it, but the savings struck me as worth it.

Incredible deal is good. Keep in mind, even in the airport, you'll be in Italy. Do try to check or stash the luggage and go to Ostia Antica. I love that place.

Me, in Ostia Antica:
http://www.travelgumbo.com/blog/a-day-among-the-ruins-1

Will the hotel even know if you didn't use that flight?
Personally, I would land, hop the train to Florence, and forget about the flight. Those hours in a layover are exhausting, especially after a TA flight, though maybe not so bad after business class flight. Considering the flight time and getting into Florence compared with train time, I think you would have at least 5-6 hours more in Florence.

Mme Perdu, I LOVE your pix and comments about Ostia Antica! Thanks! I will definitely go there, on one end of the trip or the other. After a week in Florence I'm returning to Rome a day ahead of my flight home to the US (as it leaves early in the morning), and I'll have an afternoon free then.

Sassafrass, I'll think about your suggestion. Thanks.

It causes me fear to disagree with a knowledgeable poster like Jeff but I have checked bags through while using separate tickets. Find out if AA has a bag check agreement with Alitalia. Even if they are not in the same alliance there is a good chance they have such an agreement.

I've also heard it can be done, P-M, though didn't comment having never experienced it myself. It never hurts to ask. And I, for one, would like to hear back, Celia, to prove or disprove the rumors. I'm guessing it can be done but can also be denied for any reason they choose on any given day. Service.

I've done it more than once and I've never been denied, but you are right about unpredictable service from the airlines.

Very good to know. Thanks, P_M.

I do intend to ask, as I'm sure I've done it before. I'll let you all know. My trip isn't until August, so it'll be a while.

Celia

I may have missed it but no one mentioned that you will need to go through immigration control and perhaps customs if your bags are not checked through. Immigration is a dice roll. Have make it through in less than hour but last May it was two and half hours so that is a big variable. If you cannot check your bags through to Florence then you will have to claim your luggage and go through check-in and security again. So six hour lay over may be reduced to three to four. Really not a lot to do in the airport and you don't have enough time for Ostia Antica.

Call AA to see if they will check your bags through. Don't have to wait till the day of your flight.

You can't skip the flight to Florence. If you do, your return trip will likely be cancelled. I suppose you could then pay for the train again back to Florence, but that could eliminate any savings you might have seen.

Alitalia is not a One World partner, so you will not be able to check your bags through to Florence if you are flying on two separate tickets. That's been the AA policy since at least 2014.

I also don't think you'll have time to go to Ostia Antica, but maybe you'll get lucky. If you go, you can always check in for your Alitalia flight first and check your bags.

Doug, they don't have to be in the same alliance to have an agreement to check bags. I flew Continental to IAH then British Aiways to London and Continental did check my bags thru, in spite of the fact that they are in two different alliances. I didn't think that was possible until our good poster jacketwatch told me, and I discovered he was right.

I agree with the advice to call first.

I'll call, thanks for that good advice.

There are two flights (maybe more) from Rome to Florence, but the first one is only 35 minutes after my incoming flight lands. I figured there's no way I'll get through immigration in 35 minutes. The other flight, with the layover of 5 hours, is the only realistic one. I think Ostia Antica is out. I'll have to do that on my way back.

P_M: But your example isn't AA. AA's policy is to not interline in this sort of situation. Of course an individual agent <i>might</i> check a bag through but that would be very unusual.

Celia: Just to make sure you noted the info re skipping the flight: DON'T do that -- the whole rest of your itinerary (i.e. you flight home) will be cancelled.