smile

My husband and I are travelling to Florence this summer. We can fly with Alitalia to Rome and then take the train or fly via Frankfurt with Lufthansa. Travel times work out approximately the same, as do costs. Does anyone have an opinion re: their preferred airline?

elvira

Travel companions rave about Alitalia (good food, cheerful and helpful employees). Personal experience with Lufthansa: bottom of the scale for food, employees with sticks up their...

BOB THE NAVIGATOR

I am sorry, but my experience is exactly the opposite. I find Lufthansa to be far more efficient, and you will avoid the dual train trip.

Andre

Both airlines are pretty bad - aren't they all?<BR><BR>I agree with Bob though: connecting in Frankfurt allows you to avoid dealing with your luggage until you reach your final destination. Arriving in Rome, you would have to take 2 trains (change at Termini station) - major hassle.<BR><BR>If you're doing the same on the way back, make sure you have PLENTY of time to connect in Frankfurt (2hrs at least) if you're on the last flight of the day to your final destination!<BR><BR>BTW won't Alitalia throw in their feeder flight from Rome to Florence for free as well?

John G

Why can't you fly Alitalia to Malpensa or Fiumicino and then take a commuter flight to Florence? Why take the train? <BR>That is such a bother.

richardab

I would fly Lufthansa over Alitalia. OK, Lufthansa sometimes comes with a bit of attutude, but they are know for their on time and efficient service. An airline is an ariline, but getting you there safe and on time is the biggest factor I think.<BR><BR>I have also used Lufthansa to fly to Rome (and Florence on a second trip) and had no issues. I flew from LA to Munich with connection to Rome. Lufthansa flys thru Munich or Frankfurt which are both great efficient airports.<BR><BR>Lufthansa is part of the Star alliance network so you can get you flight miles credited to United Airlines Frequent Flyer programs. Alitalia is part of the Sky Team Alliance so miles can be credited to Delta.

ali

I love Lufthansa and flew them through Frankfurt to Italy and back last year. They are professional, the food was good, it was more spacious than most, and on the way back, they put us on a code share with Lauda Air that was absolutely fantastic. They served an excellent risotto worthy of a restaurant and all the seats had personal TV screens. My sister just returned from a trip on Alitalia and they lost her luggage (I guess it happens on all of them), she says the food made her indisposed for a day after she arrived, and that the service was indifferent, not to say unprofessional. But, airlines are airlines, and it generally is a function of the day, the time, the general mood of the crew, etc.

Joe

Just my experience, but, Alitalia consistantly bad (attitude, food, on-time, etc.) and Lufthansa at least acceptable and often good.

Andre

Ali,<BR><BR>Lauda Air is indeed the BEST! Only airline I would go out of my way to fly. However, they're losing so much money that it's only a matter of time till their parent company (Austrian Airlines) downgrades them to their (sub)standard.<BR><BR>Does Lufthansa codeshare with them transatlantic? Via Vienna?<BR><BR>Andre

Eliza

Lufthansa=German=effiecient<BR><BR>Alitalia=Italia n=ineffiecient<BR><BR>I have never had good service on the latter. Consistantly good service on the former.

Santa Chiara

Talk about parallel universes. I once flew on Lufthansa from Germany to Italy. German pilots and plane, Italian flight crew, who were definitely more fun than their German counterparts. <BR><BR>

ali

Andre, Every time I travel now, I have a faint hope that I'll get on Lauda again, and I'm sorry that it hasn't expanded its presence here in the US. We flew Munich-Miami on it, and, so far, it is the standard by which I will judge other airlines (although Virgin Atlantic is right up there).

Jane

Go lufthansa.<BR><BR>Alitalia is not horrible but it is not pleasant at ALL!

Dan

I would definately go lufthansa. Leather seats in coach, good meals and little tv's at each seat (in some planes).