Joan

I have flown Alitalia two times now to Italy - both times were DISASTERS. Flights delayed (this last one 30 hours!) due to technical problems. The planes going overseas are nasty and dirty and the Italians continued to smoke even though they are told not to (so do the flight attendents so you really can't even complain). I am planning on reporting the smoking to the FAA but doubt it will do any good.

The planes flying from one Italian city to another are fine but the ones they use to go the United States are terrible. Trust me, pay more money and go US Air on one of their new Air bus and get their on time.

It wasn't just the delays but their incredible lack of organization that made the whole thing terrible -- they just could not care if we were happy or not.

christina

ooooooh joan!!!

you speak directly from my heart!!! i'm swiss living in italy (florence) and i was very used to fly a lot. i agree, the service is unacceptable (and i have friends who can tell stories about being to late because the alitalia airplain had some engin problems) on alitalia, not only on overseas flights. i had to take a flight from switzerland (zurich) to sardegna (alghero) unfortunately the only ariline was alitalia (i normally fly swissair, lufthansa and for asian flights lauda-air). i remember the delaies (from milano malpensa to alghero: 4 hours (it is a one hour flight...) and the only nice point at the flight from milano to alghero was, that i was sleeping and no one asked me if i would like to have something to drink or a snack. when i waked up i asked for a glass of water and the cabinattendant gave it to me with the comment "actually it is to late, if you want to have something to drink you have to take it when we pass".... no comment! so folks, joan is absolutely right, pay more and have a good flight!

tanti saluti

christina

Janice

amen and hallelujah to Joan! I have had the same experiences with people smoking all over the plane, even when no smoking lights were on, even in "non-smoking" areas (like those really existed!). And huge, horrible delays with no information - been through that too. But the wierdest thing I've ever seen is people sitting in exit rows with all of their packages piled at their feet, using them for footrests, blocking the aisles, doorways etc. Not just during the flight, mind you, but during takeoff and landing. When I asked a flight attendant about it, she just shrugged and said there wasn't enough overhead bin space, so what could she do? That sort of thing has the making for a true disaster, not just a really unpleasant and inconvenient flight!

Diane

When I was trying to use FF miles for one ticket to Italy next May, the USAirways reservationist told me to avoid the Alitalia flights (they accept USAir miles) that were available in favor of Swissair or Sabena, if I couldn't get on US Airways. (We've decided just to wait for the Spring fares to come out, and earn miles rather than spend them.)

Joe

I took my grown family to Italy this last Summer. Because of conflicying schedules we too three different round trip flights (two persons on each). We all had the same experience; delayed flights, terrible food (I don't expect gourmet on flights), indifferent cabin crew. I thought to give my family an immediate touch of Italy by flying Alitalia. What a mistake. While two flights were delayed two hours, ours actually left 30 minutes early and we had to lie over a day at our own expense. When we were trying to make arrangements for the following day fkight, we were actually given incorrect information by the ticket agent. If we had not checked with another agent, we would have missed the flight again. When we did depart the next day, my wife got a very bad headache (we don't blame that on Alitalia). She asked the cabin crew for some aspirin and they said they would provide it when they were through serving the drinks. We never heard from them again. I love Italy, but I will never fly Alitalia again.

Gina

Hoo boy. I've already got Alitalia tix for my January trip, as follows:
Newark-Rome
Rome-Tunis
Tunis-Milan
Milan-Newark

Any advice from previous Alitalia travelers on how to plan for and attempt to prevent some of these problems? Many of you will probably say that the best way to prevent them is not to fly Alitalia, but please understand that the tickets are not changeable or refundable at this point. Tips, anyone?

anonymous

Gina, bring your own food and aspirins!
Seriously, there's not much you can do at this point.
When we flew Altalia, our flights were delayed an hour each away, with no explanation. It is rather disconcerting to see the crew standing and chatting in the gate area at the time when the plane should be taking off! Without exaggeration, the food was the worst we've ever had on a plane. It was an insult to Italian cooking.
After reading the above posts, however, I think we were lucky. At least, no one was smoking on our plane!

geo

Ditto my expierence on Alitalia-I made the mistake of biting on their 2 for 1 sale last year-Sfo to Rome. Disintrested crew,awful "food" even by airline standards. On the return, the headsets were out on half the plane for the entire trip-no word of explanation. NEVER again Alitalia,at ANY price.

Walter

Gina: I've flown them twice (96 & 98) Boston-Rome and once Rome-Venice and will again (Bos-Milan-Rome-Milan-Bos) next March. For 2 reasons: They are the only non-stop from Boston and at 6'2" I love the seat pitch on their 767-300ER. But the food has got to be the worst airline food I've ever tasted. And the FA's, it seems that after the meal and drink service they're done for the flight and do not want to be bothered by anyone for anything. But as long as they get me from A to B with no delays or problems, the food and service are minor concerns too me. Figure the majority of flights are basically on time and the majority of passengers have no ticketing problems, so the odds are with ya. But from the posters here and elsewhere it does seem that if you have a problem Alitalia isn't going to "bend over backwards" for you like other airlines. I wouldn't worry though, because I feel that once I buy my cheap non-refundable tickets "the die is cast" and that part of my trip is out of my hands/control, unlike my hotels, itinerary, etc that I *can* change. HTH Regards, Walter

Lauren

I never realized that my experience with Alitalia was shared by others until I read this posting.

We flew Alitalia to Milan connecting to Florence and we laugh about our first experience of Italy. The flight out of NY was delayed - but not a noticeable amount. We were seated next to the galley where the flight attendants smoked their little lungs out for the duration of the flight, making it difficult to sleep.

But, upon arrival in Milan is where the fun started. The lines to get to the next flight - which was of course delayed - were nothing that I've ever experienced. Picture 5,000 people cramming together all to walk through one gate.

When we finally boarded the flight to Florence - we saw what we were hoping was not our captain, who we now affectionately call COWBOY. But, the man in sunglasses and with a cig hanging out of his mouth was to be flying our plane to Florence. Oh, what a joy to finally land in one piece. I don't think he took off his shades to fly either.

Upon arrival in Florence, we waited for our luggage. And waited...and waited...
It turns out our luggage went to Tel Aviv. A logical mistake - Florence...Tel Aviv - yes, I could see how they confused the two.

After waiting on yet another line - this time for about an hour, we had to describe our luggage and pray for its return - while signing a paper that said they have the right to go through it in case of tampering.

Well, after 2 days with nothing but the clothes on our backs, we finally got our luggage.

All in all, I would have to say my TWA experience from NYC to Rome was worse - a lot worse. But, I'll save that for another time!

susan

We ordered vegetarian on Alitalia & got huge portions of BURNED green beans.

Gina

Thanks for the advice. I'm not too worried about the food or service thing; especially on overnight transatlantic flights, I always try to sleep as much as possible, so I'll just eat dinner first, try for a window seat and crash for the duration. The prospect of being stuck near heavy smoking on what's supposed to be a nonsmoking flight, however, is worrisome, especially for some 7 hours. Should I try to get a seat assignment near the middle of coach, to avoid being near F/A sections?

Gina

Okay, one more Alitalia question. My flight information lists the planes for the transatlantic legs as Boeing 777; I read elsewhere that these flights are Continental-operated (which seems to make sense, since Alitalia doesn't list the 777 among its fleet on its Web page). This would seem to be an encouraging sign of possibly a better plane and/or better flight...yes? Maybe?

kathy

We fly Alitalia periodically from Boston and haven't had any problem. Sure the food isn't great, but I.ve had better meals on Alitalia than most other airlines. When you come right down to it, the big complaint is they still permit smoking. Well, most of Europe still smokes. We don;t rule the world and neither does our likes and dislikes. We need to be more tolerant.

I am not a smoker.

Walter

Perhaps smoking is still permitted on their flights elsewhere but I'm positive that flights to and from the US must be non-smoking for *any* airline. IIRC it's a US federal law ~2yrs/less old and other countries planes must be non-smoking or they cannot provide service to/from the US. Am I correct on this anyone???
Gina: Check Alitalia's website for your flights www.alitaliausa.com/ I peeked at it quickly and Yes if it's a 777 it's a Continental codeshare flight. Also your return from Milan might be on Continental, the non-stop 10:05 flight is. HTH Regards, Walter

Dona

I end up flying Alitalia almost everytime I go to Italy - and that's pretty much at elast once a year. I share everyone's view - but the schedule's seem to be the best.

If I could offer any advice, I think it may be better if it's not a connecting flight. For example, just US to Rome or Milan is ok. If you're trying tomake a connecting flight you may hav a problem.

I wish there were something we could do to change the situation - perhaps if we just continue to book other airlines, Alitalia will get the hint...

Dona

Gina

Walter and Dona, thanks for the info. I appreciate it. Sounds reasonably hopeful.

Kathy: I understand that most of Europe still smokes. I have no problem with that. I've traveled in Europe before and have had no difficulties with the smoking policies and practices there. I do have a problem with being *confined on a plane* with recirculated air in which people are smoking all around me--particularly for a 7-hour transatlantic flight. I don't see any need to be "tolerant" of that degree of being forced to breathe secondhand smoke for such a long period of time with absolutely no opportunity for relief--it's not like you can go out for a stroll and a breath of fresh air.

And I'm pretty sure Walter is correct that the law now requires all flights that originate or terminate in the US to be fully non-smoking. How does Alitalia get away with blatantly violating the law like that? I'm hoping the smoking incidents Joan and others have experienced are isolated ones; keeping my fingers crossed. Does a Continental codeshare mean Continental flight attendants, or not? I've never gotten entirely clear on how codeshares work.

Jayelle

Based on Walter's information, it seems that your flight is operated by Continental. This means that it is a regular Continental flight with a Continental crew. Alitalia and Continental both list the flight (usually with different flight numbers) and you can book the flight through either airline, but in reality its the same flight. Sounds like you're in luck since its a Continental plane.

Gina

Jayelle--thanks!! :: boing :: boing :: I can de-stress now. But of course that doesn't address the larger problem for a lot of other folks who aren't flying codeshare.

Of course, all flights would be a lot better if the other airlines would just take lessons from Midwest Express. Too bad they don't fly international!

helen

Have to say, I have had much worse experiences on Northwest and US Air (domestic and internat'l) than on Alitalia. Did not have the problem w/ cigarette smoke (which I would have noticed), and thought the service was actually better than on many other airlines. Can't award anyone any gold stars, but wonder whether in the end, there is a similar percentage of people having bad experiences on any given airline. Did find Alitalia's policy at JFK of making everyone queue up outside, in front of the terminal, for the various flights to Rome/Florence/Milan etc a little weird (and inefficient).