Direct flight from Rome to the U.S.

An interesting dilemma. How does Delta plan on getting the other 296 people on the plane if it leaves at 9:15 and the airport does not open until 7:00 and it takes everyone 3 hours to check in and get on the plane?

9.15 am is the earliest flight we have ever had out of Rome. Maybe I am not understanding what I read on Ron in Rome"s website re. terminal 5 not opening until 7 am?

Yes, actually its a 767 with 212 seats and looks pretty full. The airport says contact your carrier about advised check in times. It also may be opening earlier now. The FCO-ATL is currently a 330 Air Bus with 298 seats and leaves at noon, so this appears to be a switch to an off season schedule. I saw RinR and he said it was 7:15 opening with the first departure at 9:45, so even his info may be dated.

I suggest you check with your airline to find out when to be there. Note that to get to Terminal 5, a bus downstairs will take you. Your driver can give you directions on how to find the bus.
FCO and Terminal 5 are not the most efficient airport terminals around, as they're very security conscious. Don't worry, as you'll make your flight on time.

Sam said: "Yes, actually its a 767 with 212 seats and looks pretty full." How are you able to tell how full this flight is? Thanks! George

Go on Delta website and try to book the flight. Click on "seat map" and they show the seat map with available seats. Only a few left in coach.

Janet we had a similar schedule out of terminal 5 last year and got there around 0530. THe terminal was open but there were no workers in sight or any services (including food or coffee) until after 0700. People started trickling in and queuing up after us. There were long lines of passengers waiting by the time staff arrived. There was no signage or information to tell us what to expect or where to wait. They did manage to process everyone in time. If you do get there early, try to find an experienced fellow traveler who can tell you where the actual check in lines will be.

Sam said: "Go on Delta website and try to book the flight. Click on "seat map" and they show the seat map with available seats. Only a few left in coach." Thanks! Interesting. Do other airlines operate this way? Ones I've flown don't allow you to pick your seats until 24 hours before you fly so I don't know how one could find out how full the flight is until shortly before it leaves . . .

We got our seat assignments at the same time we booked our flight.

United allows you to pick your seats when you book your flight.

George, we've always been able to pick our seats well in advance of traveling regardless of the airline. What airline have you been flying on that doesn't do this? As for when Terminal 5 opens, RonInRome says this: The first airport shuttles to T5 usually start about 06:45 because T5 usually opens around 07:00 (note the italics... this is Italy!). Often, the security gates in T5 don't open until 07:30. That's because most US-flagged flights don't arrive at FCO until after 06:00 – then they empty and prepare for the return trip to the US. This terminal is usually closed by 14:00 because there are no more US-flagged airlines flying back to the US in the afternoon.

Michael - British Airways.

George - you can book a seat ahead of time on British Air--you just have to pay for it. We just booked our flight for 9/14 and were charged an extra $42 to book a flight. However, we were using Avios (miles/points) rather than paying in full for the flight, so perhaps that's why we were allowed to book a seat.

We had the Delta 241 Roma to Atlanta this past March. It left at 8:55AM We had the same concerns. Took a taxi directly to T5, arriving around 6:15AM - expecting we would probably have to wait for the terminal and lines to open, but figuring we would be one of the first in line. To our surprise, everything was up and running at that time. All lines open. No problems at all.

I will be flying British air this Sunday to Rome from LAX ,is worth it to purchase the 40$ wary seat booking or should I just wait and do the 24 hr free seat select?.also my return flight leaves Rome at 7:55am I believe in t5 what time should I be at the airport?

@ Juan, If you are flying British Airways to Rome and back, I think you will find that you will be changing planes in London. British Airways does not fly any nonstop from N.A. to Italy. Thus on return from Rome, you will not be using FCO terminal 5.