Can anyone talk me into or out of flying alItalia to/from JFK/Rome in June? It's either that or American, and by the looks of it, the plane is better on alItalia (777 vs. 767) and is about 1,000 (usd) cheaper.

Thank you in advance!

We've flown both out of JFK-Rome, and would go with whichever one ( Alitalia) has the better price.

I don't know why Alitalia has such a bum rap. I really have very little choice, living near a small airport, so I usually fly Alitalia when I go to the US. On the way there, the plane and crew are usually Delta, and on the way back, Alitalia. To be honest, I much prefer Alitalia.

By the way, Alitalia has a great business class, and there have recently been excellent business class prices on some flights from New York to Milan. I've flown business into Milan three times now because of these prices, even though it's a much longer train ride from Milan to my home.

I always hated Alitalia, and stopped flying them from various destinations in Europe.

However, not from JFK, but flew Alitalia from London to Rome last October and was absolutely delighted. It was the best service and food I have had in Business Class ... EVER! I got a really great deal on the BU ticket.

Economy looked really good also.

Thank you all for replying! I am shopping a fantastic deal that would include business/first class and was getting edgy with some reviews I had read about the airlines/state of some of its planes

The food and service in Alitalia business class sure beat the food and service on British Air, the last time I flew them, which was over ten years ago, so maybe it's been upgraded.

Alitalia has a lounge at JFK for their business class travelers, where you can practically make a full meal from the tasty snacks they offer.

On the Alitalia web site, I can choose to fly economy to the US and business back, which makes it really affordable to get that flat bed for the overnight flight. I don't really mind economy for the westbound flight, when I'm not trying to get some sleep.

OMG, the BU Lounge in Rome! I could have moved in for the entire trip

BTW, I found the flight attendants are a rare breed these days - they are customer-service focused, very glamorous and extremely well-groomed with stylish 1950s-era outfits.