Oh I think people do agree on something... that British Air has the very smallest seats/space in coach service to Europe. Since they weren't under consideration for Lauri I didn't mention it.

Kristina, you beat me to it. I did the same in Business Class, and the service was excellent. Glad to know coach is good too. In particular, the flight attendants are very nice.

Lauricelli, I was going to Italy too, so I flew Air Tahiti Nui into CDG, then flew on Air France into Florence, and out of Rome. Aside from having to deal with the layover, it worked like a charm.

I seem to have problems with uncomfortable seats on any Airbus planes. For my body type, a Boeing 747 or 777 has a more comfortable seat. If I am flying on UA to Bangkok, I use my miles to upgrade to business class. For the comparatively "short hops" to Europe, I can survive in economy OK. I flew on SwissAir last spring, on an airbus, and will not do that again! Ouch!!! My back hurt!!

There have been some very helpful responses to this post and I thank you all.
Ugh, it looks like I will be flying Air France and making the dreaded plane change at CDG. Now I know to make sure I have plenty of time for the layover.

We have a credit on Air France and were already planning a trip to France next year when I found out I was going to go to this conference in Tuscany. (just awful huh?) ; ) I didn't think they would let us split up our itinerary but Air France has been very accomodating. So, I will fly to Florence with the change in CDG and the next week meet my husband in Paris for our vacation. Business class isn't that outrageous on AF so I think I'll opt for it.

Alitalia say what ever about them but there Magnifica class is great!!!

Large seats. I do know about there coach but it looks tight like all other coach seats.

I have only flown Alitalia with a connection on Air France once. Maybe I was lucky but there was no problem. I am sure it was under 1.5 hours, I would not make a connection with longer wait time. I don't recall anyone warning me on here and I would just not want to wait around that long. I was traveling mid-week though maybe this made a differnce?

Hated Alitalia and while there Magnifico class maybe wonderful their customer service is tre crapo LOL!

...think I will survive next month in Paris with this knowledge of the language?

We avoid Alitalia. Cusomer service is non existant. Transatlantic coach class has not been a good experience for us. Maybe J is better-don't know.

My Italian colleagues in Milan flat out refuse to fly Alitalia long-haul, even in business, if there is any other option available. Have you got extra time? A direct flight to Zurich, with either a connection to Italy or a leisurely scenic train ride.
We flew AF from SFO to CDG and thought it was fine, as economy class goes, that is, the plane was new and the staff very pleasant. But an AF flight from Newark to CDG was awful, an older plane and a slew of demanding, loud passengers, and harried crew.

I'll say a couple things,

1. An airline can configure space however they want. The type of airliner and space means nothing. I did fly on one of those all business class 737's to Germany once and it was very nice and roomy. I enjoyed it but somehow i don't feel like I am on vacation unless I go on a jumbo jet.

2. I consistently fly on Lufthansa and sometimes in coach. I can't say I ever felt too uncomfortable.

3. Continental has the most uncomfortable seats I have ever sat in.