J. J.

Wondering if anyone can provide any comments on Alitalia codeshare flights with Continental. Are there any significant differences or is it basically a wolf in sheep's skin? I have read more than enough comments about Alitalia in this forum to concern me. My travel agent tells me that Continental is the actual operator - staff and equipment.

Betty

I think it is totally Alitalia. You have to call Alitalia to get seat assignments. Don't bother to try their 800 number - no one answered in the 10 hours we tried over a period of several days. We called Alitalia in Rome to get our seats!

howard

It's not a black-and-white situation. At least it wasn't back in November 1999. We booked a flight using FF miles on Continental. All of our dealings were with Continental and the crew was from Continental. However, when we got to JFK, we checked in at Alitalia, even though it was a Continental plane.
This past October, we had Alitalia tickets and everything was Alitalia.
I think it depends on what airline you book your tickets with.

Gina

I have no idea *what* it depends on. I booked tickets from DC to Rome via Newark, then on from Rome to Tunisia, and back through Bestfares. The DC-Newark flights are Continental; the flights between Italy and Tunisia are Alitalia; and the Newark-Rome and Rome-Newark flights are Alitalia/Continental codeshare. My printed itinerary, as well as the agents at Continental, confirm that Newark-Rome flights are Continental operated, using their planes and their crews.

And I was able to arrange seat assignments on all flights except the Tunisia ones (strictly Alitalia-operated) by calling Continental.

We'll see how things go; I leave tomorrow!

Marilyn Ham

Three years ago we booked a codeshared flight with Continental/Alitalia. It was one of our most enjoyable trips. We left Denver on a Continental plane with Continental personne. In New York we changed to a Continental plane with Alitalia personnel. The planes were Continental's. The food was great, they were on time, and the service was good. I can't speak for it now, but then it was great. Marilyn