goingtoitalia

I just returned from Italy yesterday, and we flew Alitalia both flights with no problems at all. They did weigh the checked baggage, but no one gave my carry-on bag a second look, and I suspect it weighed more than 11 lbs. No one at Alitalia was rude to us, our flights were right on time (direct flights from Logan in Boston to Malpensa), they fed us two meals on each flight, plus gelato for dessert on the return flight yesterday! There was plenty of wine if you wanted and I have to say that when a passenger became violently ill two rows behind us, the flight attendants were right there for him immediately. It's true that we didn't see much of the flight attendant's between the two meals, but I appreciated being able to get up and go back to get my own cup of water. Nice reason to stretch on a long flight.

wmandmj

Goingtoitalia

Could you tell me what size your carryon was? My bag does meet size limits but when packed, it will be over 11lbs. I am so glad all went well for you on the flight ends of your trip. We are glad to hear GOOD things for a change. DId you have any problems with the airline trying to change you seat assignments? THis will be our first trip to Italy and we would like many more. WE can't wait.
MJ

Guenmai

I agree that you have much more to worry about than luggage weight. After having flown from L.A. to Milan via N.Y to transfer to my Alitalia flight...Delta/Alitalia... to West Africa, I arrived in Milan exhausted and was to fly on to West Africa that afternoon only to be told...in the Milan airport... that the flight had flown the day before and there was no flight...although I was holding a ticket for the non-existant flight....and had confirmed at least three times.
I ended up stranded in Italy...in the dead of freezing winter and then after hours of arguing with Delta...its partner....Alitalia wouldn't even deal with it...and told me they weren't responsible for trying to put me up in a hotel or anything...and that I could sleep in the airport until the next day....it was around 6:30AM then....then finally Delta put me in a hotel. And instead of just putting me in business class, the next day, for the inconvenience they caused, I was routed from Italy to Amsterdam and then hours in the airport there and put on KLM and then on to West Africa.Awful. Never again.Happy Travels!

goingtoitalia

mj,

my carry-on is 16" wide x 11" high x 5-1/2" deep. It has two outside pockets that I used for carrying books, I think I had three books in there on our return flight. It fit perfectly in the overhead compartment. I don't know how much it weighed, but I'd estimate it was at least close to the 11 lb restriction, if not over.

We didn't get our seat assignments until check-in and probably my only complaint with either flight was on the way to Italy we were in the very last row, so it was a little cramped, but not a very far trip to the bathroom! On the way back were were a few rows farther up, and there was no one in the third seat in the row so I was able to stretch out a little bit and get more comfortable.

This was my first trip to Italy and it was fabulous! You will have a great time...enjoy!

wmandmj

Returned from Italy last week and want everyone to know that ALITALIA was just great. They were on time going and coming, the seats were adequate, the food was okay, the service was just fine and NO luggage was lost. The airline deserves a compliment. GOod Luck to future fliers.

rio2

All these gripers on here sound like total amateurs when it comes to air travel. Get with it : you’re entering into a huge system that is subject to mechanical, natural and human failures. The best advice comes from the folks who say enjoy the free – and yes it is still free on Alitalia – wine on the trip. Here’s a tip when traveling, treat the people who are taking care of you with respect and generally you’ll get it back. That’s always worked for me regardless of where I’ve traveled. There are always those miserable people who start complaining in the check-in queue and don’t quit. More often than not, the treatment they get is a reflection of what they’re putting out there. I can tell from a lot of these negative posts that they were probably horrible with the people they encountered. Does anyone honestly think that the guy in Milan would have told that one poster to get lost because they didn’t speak Italian if he was approached with a humble request for assistance? It sounds to me like he or she was pissed off from their delays and less than civil with the man at the airport…their insurance providers or anyone else they dealt with. It’s annoying when things go wrong, but how you react - keeping your cool and being polite - will usually make a huge difference in the end.

wanderer

We just got back from a trip to Rome and flew Alitalia - non-stop on the way in, and with on connection on the way home.

Other than a slight delay on the way out from Boston with no communication from them, we were very pleased and would definitely fly them again.

We also had heard horror stories, and were very worried. I made sure to confirm my flight the day of and yes, it had been rescheduled, but just moved ahead a few hours. You also need to confirm your return flight with them 2 days prior or it will be cancelled (standard airline policy I hear).

As to the luggage, they told us carry-on max 45" total, and max 11 lbs. We bought lightweight bags from AAA exactly these dimensions (no wheels - these were duffels) and were able to pack a week's worth of clothes in here. We never check luggage to avoid a potential problem. They did not weigh our bags, but I would not count on that.

I was quite surprised and pleased compared to all other airlines we have recently flown, that we got blankets, pillows, headphones, real food (not once, but twice), and yes wine, all for free.

We also found all of the personnel very professional and helpful. Our connections were right on time, and return flights left on time.

As I said, we would not hesitate to fly them again.