Every winter we go to Europe and frequently to Italy. This winter we are going back to Rome. We have never flown Alitalia. Anyone want to comment on whether they are better or worse than any other Airline?

We like British Air the best, but now they are flying into Heathrow instead of Gatwick and you almost have to stay overnight. Most of the time we have flown Delta and almost always have seating issues.

Anyway.....comments?

We've only flown Alitalia once I think. We found it just fine. Our friends were in first class and found that service really super, better than other first class service.

Only concern re: Alitalia is the current financial situation.

We are flying British Air to Venice via Heathrow (shuttle to Gatwick.) It will be a pain, but you don't need to overnight there. Then we return from Rome, through Gatwick/Heathrow, to JFK. We are using miles which will expire this year, or else we would have flown Delta nonstop to Venice. BA recommends no less than 3 hour layover to allow enough time for the transfer.

Hi ks,

I have flown Alitalia. It is no better or worse than the others.

seating issues"????? what does THAT mean?

Delta isn't in the greatest of financial shape these days, either, but it sounds as if you've answered your own question since you cannot sem to stand the idea of "practically having to stay overnight" at Heathrow.

I won't fly them anymore internationally because of their frequent and seperate strikes (pilots, FA's, assorted ground personal).
No strikes for the rest of the July and August but I see they already have 2 planned for September, *so far*.
They seemed to average ~4-6 strikes per month for the last couple of years (post 9-11). Regards, Walter