Have read postings from last year about rather bad service/smoking/disregarding seat assignments, etc. on Alitalia. We have FF tickets thru USAir (they wouldn't honor any other airline to Italy)from Chicago to Milan in Sept. I'm already planning to take our snacks since I understand the food is unusually bad for airlines - which is not a big deal. I am, however, concerned about the smoking, or rather, disregard for non-smoking rules for international flights. Does anyone have any "positive" experiences with this airline that would make us feel a little better? - It's our first trip to Italy & a honeymoon as well... thanks<BR>

I fly Alitalia 2 times a year and have not had any major problems. This May we did not have are seats we were assigned but were given others. There is no smoking on any of the flights so this is no problem.I always bring some food to eat as with ALL airline the food is bad. I always read how bad this airline is put I find in no worse then others I have been on. Don't worry and just enjoy yout trip.

You can't smoke on Alitalia!!!!

I, too, have FF miles but with American. My destination is Milan. They wanted to fly me Chicago to Milan on Alitalia but instead I suggested Swiss/CrossAir route of Chicago/Zurich/Milan. You may want to see if they codeshare with CrossAir. Just a suggestion.

I just returned from Italy and flew there on Alitalia. I can't say that they are my favorite airline, but they were OK. My biggest gripe was that they did not allow me to take my carryon onboard despite it being the correct size/dimensions. With regard to smoking, there is absolutely no smoking allowed on the airplane. The food was mediocre, but most importantly, they got me to my destination safely... and that is all that really matters to me. Think of Alitalia as your means to your end and you'll be all set. Enjoy your honeymoon!

I've flown Alitalia many times, albeit always in business class. In that class at least, food was very good, service was excellent, and the overall airline quality was on an equal with any of the others.

I flew them in March. The food was really no worse than any other airline (but no better). My biggest complaint was their ignoring seat assignments or requests (yes, I would like to sit with the person with whom I am traveling) and that both flights left 1-2 hours late with no explanation. They issued us seats at random, and when we got on board, it was up to us to barter our way to sit together. And not just us, almost every other pair traveling together as well, which is how we managed to swap seats successfully. I also found the facilities dirtier than any other international flight I've taken, but that could be due to the extended flight time and delays. It got us there in one piece, I guess that's all you can ask for.

Nov 2001 we were scheduled in business class on Alitalia from SF to Milan nonstop. 4 days before our departure upon reconfirming our flight, we found out we were now flying nonstop from LAX to Milan.........???? <BR><BR>Alitalia (unapologetic) did not inform us of this change, nor did they make any attempt to. They also told us it was OUR problem to get to LAX (and back to SF) at our own expense. <BR><BR>Thank god, we were able to get another flight on NW airlines in Business Class with a polite and cheerful all dutch flight crew - The flight went beautifully and on time - the meals were excellent.<BR><BR>WE WILL NEVER FLY ALITALIA !!!!!

sorry......that was KLM - NW flight partner.

Besides food, bring toilet paper or plenty of tissue, just in case they run out.

Ah Alitalia,<BR><BR>As a novice long distance flyer, (well recent years that is), I used Alitalia in '98 Sydney/Rome. After the initial heeby jeebies of wow this might be final I settled in, relaxed and waited. I found everything superb. Service, flight, food, companions and weather .......all exceptional. And this, I might add after a day long delay in departure while they waited for a replacement engine.......you what!<BR><BR>Last year I would have gone with them again but they weren't flying into Rome direct......I could have gone to Milan with them but that would have meant a domestic flight between those two cities ........ that might be a different animal. Anyway the 2001 flight will remain nameless because it wasn't a patch on Alitalia......<BR><BR>Carole