sorry I clicked post to quickly.
To add to my above post. Don't feel so bad. The reason Alitalia scores so poorly in ratings is mostly because of their domestic and short haul flights, which are MANY. That's probably why people keep using them. Those are horrible. Half of the Alitalia fleet is old MD-80s need I say more. International is more in the low cost carrier class, so no better or worse than most of those, just worse than most major carriers. Perhaps you could pay and upgrade to at least an exit row seat.

we were Alitalia from JFK to Milano, and I must say that the staff were more, hmmmmm... shall we say, "poised" than most U.S. domestic economy class compartment flight staff. My well-intentioned wife pre-ordered the kosher meal for me for dietary reasons (thanks, honey!), but the upside was a wonderful dinner - served about 20 minutes earlier than the wife's! I didn't notice any real improvement in room, maybe a little less than stateside, but the de-facto wine bar gathering that developed in the rear of our flight to Milan would've been cause for great concern here ;-)

the really interesting part? flying with about 50% Italians to-and-fro. The quirky part? the check-in at JFK was a little off-putting, allowing pre-board check-in only 1 hour (am I imagining that?) prior to the flight at JFK. There was plenty of food & services on the outside of the security check, thank goodness.

oh well, I guess I get it know. I have learned so much from all of you, some things hard to take...but, I will going to Italy. Hopefully my trip report will be close to what I am dreaming about. Thanks.

re the drinks cart:

It's been a year or so, but I've flown them a lot. The crew will often make a pass and then have "open bar" left at the back of the plane.

Not a great airline but better than some of the transatlantic service on US carriers ... for me at least

Flew them two months ago, Newark to Rome and back (economy). Return was Delta codeshare.

Legroom and seat comfort were above average. Color of seats was soothing . . . famous Italian design I guess. Luggage arrived with us.

When the food service arrived, I simply informed them I was used to better. Instantly a waiter appeared with a chafing dish -- prepared perfect pasta cacio e pepe and veal milanese. Wine was Tignanello. When the desserts failed to please, they contacted an approaching jet from Austria and arranged a mid-flight pastry transfer. You simply have to know how to ask.

On the down side, we left Newark two hours late, but many flights were delayed.

ljc - the point is getting to Italy and they will get you there. You will have a wonderful time. It's 9 little hours. Don't fret a second, get back to planning the trip and all that good stuff.

We fly via Al Italia Atlanta to Venice and return Rome to JFK and go next week. I,too have heard negative stories aboaut Al Italia. This posting reference code-referencing and I checked our flights. They indicate they are operated by Delta - yippee! Does that mean what I hope that we will be on a Delta airplae with Delta staff?
Great tip, Fodorites! I love Italy but have been hesitant about this airline based on reviews....

We traveled Newark - Milan roundtrip in March 06 and when we arrived in Milan luggage for 4 of the 5 of us was missing due to our connecting flight into Newark being late. We had a busy trip and were headed for Venice immediately. We stayed 2 nights in Venice, no luggage. On our way driving down the Adriatic coast, Alitalia called our cell phone and our luggage was in Ancona (we had given them our route) so we picked it up a couple of hours later. They gave us forms to submit with receipts for the clothes that we bought and although it took about 6 months, they gave us $300 reimbursement (which was greater than the receipts we turned in - they rounded up). Food and service was good on the flights.

I think this post is a perfect example of what LoveItaly said on another post-people with too much information.....

THis is a question for Bella, I am glad that Alitalia settle with you, when we flew ROme to Madrid, all the luggage of the plane was left in Rome. I said this before, I did not say however that my husband's suitcase was opened and some items were stolen. We submitted to Alitalia by fax in Madrid a complain, and do not know what to do as a follow up. Did you follow up your request to Alitalia?, or simple waited six months. Will help me a lot.
What was stolen? Several things including a fairly new pair of men shoes, which BTW are not cheap...

We flew on Alitalia in October 2006. Dulles to Milan to Venice on the way over. Rome to Newark on the way back. We were in economy. We found the airline perfectly acceptable and, contrary to some of the other posters comments, the food was better than many of the other airlines we've flown. We did not lose our luggage nor did we have any delays. The orange juice that one poster referred to as "red liquid" may have been blood orange juice which is common in Italy.

Hmmm. Maybe ljc4creb won't have to despair. Things may actually get better if Alitalia privatisation saga progresses... ...heard Aeroflot is a potential bidder.

I've flown with them countless times over the years, although admittedly only within Europe, but never had a single problem.

P.S. People tend not to bother posting about totally uneventful flights.

I have never flown Alitalia but have flown many other airlines over the years. Most of them are about the same as the others, cramped seats in coach, mediocre food, decent but not excellent service and to many people packed into a small place. Just look at it as the penance you have to get through to get to someplace marvelous. Your vacation really begins after you get there and the flight is just the means of getting there so don't worry about it. Take essential items such as medications and a change of clothes, in your carryon so you will have them if your luggage is lost or delayed. Try to sleep as much as you can during the flight and just get through it. It is well worth it to go to Italy no matter what airline you are on. Enjoy!

Thank you to all who posted a few different experiences. I called Alitalia and my flight is codeshare with Delta and they said I would be on an Alitalia plane. It is non-stop.I just want to get to Italy and have my clothes with me. Those going soon, please let us know how things went.

If you are planning to earn frequent flyer miles from an Alitalia codeshare partner, be careful. I recently flew Alitalia from Paris to Milan on a codeshare with Air France, which I booked through AF using my AF frequent flyer card. However when I got my frequent flier statement the next month, it showed only 180 miles for the flight which in fact was close to 1,000 miles. Same thing happened for the return flight, too. Otherwise I had no problem with Alitalia service.

They indicate they are operated by Delta - yippee!

First time I've ever seen Delta and yippee in the same thought ... we all have different experiences but I'd much rather be on Alitalia than Smelt-ya.

ljc4creb - Relax and just concentrate on going to Italy. We're also booked on Alitalia, but out of Cincinnati. It is a code-share with Delta. Since it's the only non-stop flight we would probably have booked no matter what. At least with a direct flight, you don't have to worry about connections if delayed and your luggage has a good chance of arriving with you. Since Alitalia was $100 less pp we booked on them instead of Delta. There are so many factors when you fly that I don't worry about it. Our last flight home from Rome we were on American. Comfortable flight, lots of leg room, but we were surrounded by a Jr. High group going back home. It was not one of the more restful flights we've had.

BarbaraJ...It seems you picked Alitalia for the same reasons I did. My flight is overnight, non-stop, and was and still is the cheapest under these circumstances. The longest I have been on a plane is 3.5 hrs. I'll keep my expectations extremely low and just go.