Is it true that Alitalia allows smoking on their international and domestic flights? We did not get a straight answer from the Alitalia ticket agents and we assumed that in these days all airlines have a non-smoking policy. We already have our tickets but I am not sure whether I can stan sniffing smoke for many hours from Newark to Rome and then from Rome to Palermo. What do you non-smokers do?

There was no smoking allowed on the Alitalia flights we took two months ago between NY and Milan.

We were in Italy a couple years ago, so things might have changed. All restaurants allowed smoking, few had non-smoking sections. Once we asked for and were seated in the non-smoking section, and boy were we out of it. No body else in the area. The strolling muscians didn't even come near us. All the action, and the views, were in the smoking section. Ah well, when in Rome,. . . as they say.

Alitalia/Continental was smoke-free in May of this year on both the transatlantic portion and the portions to and from Sicily. <BR> <BR>Two years ago I flew Olympic, which allowed smoking-- a lot of smoking! Many of us felt sick from it, and I was coughing up mucus for days afterward. The non-smoking section of economy class was right behind the smoking setion of first class. Another time on Olympic, the stewardesses sat right across from me (in the non-smoking section!!!) to take their smoke breaks. I'd avoid Olympic at all costs, but Alitalia seems to have reformed.

Nancy, Alitalia does not allow smoking on flights from Newark to Rome. I am going to Rome in June and have been going nuts trying to find a Hotel at a reasonable rate. Have you been to Rome before and if yes, can you make a recommendation...thanks

Frank, <BR>What is a reasonable rate in your opinion? <BR>That would help others who could give you advice. <BR>(Another) Nancy

Thanks Nancy. A reasonable rate is anythiong less than $180-200 a night.

Frank - try Casa Howard- didnt stay there because Rome got cancelled from my plans but they looked appealing. I found them on the web, saw them listed in Conde Nast, and have heard good feedback from other Fodorites.

Nancy, there was no smoking on the Alitalia flight we took to Rome two years ago but it is incredible how many people smoke in Italy. They're everywhere. That's why Italians are so thin, I guess-they have a cigarette in one hand and a cell phone in the other!

My flight from Chicago to Milan last year was supposed to be non-smoking, but people were smoking all over the plane. They also had parcels piled in the aisles... one of the more unusual flights I've been on.

Frank - try the Hotel Ranieri. It got a great write up in Cheap Sleep in Italy. It's a 3 star hotel with all the modern amenities. <BR> <BR>www.hotelranieri.com