fear of FLYING

I have not flown the route between Rome and Palermo. But I would not expect a "BIG" plane - not as big as the planes typically used on long haul transatlantic flights. I'd probably expect a medium-sized regional jet. Whether you have a "smooth" flight depends on the weather (and to a large extent, on how you define "smooth").

You know you can easily see what kind of aircraft your flight is on, right? That'll tell you how "big" it'll be.

Haven't taken those flights, but it's easy to get info on the planes you'll be flying on. Go to seatguru.com. Plug in the airline, flight number and date (these are on the airline website and on your reservation information). It will show you the type of aircraft, how many passengers in each class, amenities available, seats that are regarded as particularly good or bad, as well as comments on particular seats by previous flyers.

As for the smoothness of flights, that is not determined by the aircraft, but by the weather and winds, which varies hour by hour. No one can predict that.

How ' bumpy' or smooth a plane ride is, is mostly dependent on the weather.

Predicting that kind of weather is for all practical purposes impossible. The fact that someone flew that route last week and had a smooth trip is no assurance your flight tomorrow will be the same

The only flight we have had on Alitalia was from Nice, France to Rome. Not as big as a transatlantic, but comfortable for that distance and they were very efficient and friendly. Our flight was very smooth, in the fall the weather was great. I have had more rough flights from Denver to California, over the mountains than anywhere. Not always mind you, but no guarantees.

Have a Great Trip!
Mimi

AZ 631
From MIA to FCO
Equipment: Airbus A330-200
Here is the info if you’d like to purchase one from Airbus
http://www.airbus.com/aircraft/passenger-aircraft/a330-family/a330-200.html
This is the Alitalia seating configuration for that plane.
https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Alitalia_Airlines/Alitalia_Airlines_Airbus_A330_200.php

On the FCO PMO route Alitalia uses both A320 and A321, depending on the time of departure. Both are part of the A320 family, the A321 is a bit longer.
This is the info if you want to buy a plane.
http://www.airbus.com/aircraft/passenger-aircraft/a320-family.html

Seating config for both is below
https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Alitalia_Airlines/Alitalia_Airlines_Airbus_A321_B_new.php
https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Alitalia_Airlines/Alitalia_Airlines_Airbus_A320_B_new.php

i want to thk you for all yr replies , thks to joe , great website saw my planes feel much better

I took both of those flights for Rick’s Sicily tour last November. Don Roberto hit the nail on the head with the type of aircraft. Both flights were smooth but that’s a factor of weather conditions during your flight. With current instrumentation and concern for passengers’ safety, pilots usually are able to avoid severely turbulent air.

Joey!!
Alitalia also flies that route with Boeing 777. I am flying it in September.
The B777 is Boeing's largest long haul. I have been on several times.
You will be ok!!! Bon Voyage

any recommendations for where to stay in palermo for 4 days , we need a 4 bedroom airbnb, in the city n safe area joey vaccarino from brooklyn going on a cruise

Hi there, Joey, and welcome to the forum! A gentle suggestion? Probably isn't a great idea to post quite so much personal info on the forum (your full name, your home city + dates you'll be away, which are on a different thread). It's very easy to edit a post so you might consider removing your city of residence from your post above?

It's a safety thing. The folks here are great but this is a public forum that anyone and their uncle can see without joining. :O)

Just want to chime in and say that for fear of flying -- the book "Ask the Pilot" by Patrick Smith was invaluable to me, along with the SOAR course by Tom Bunn (which is now in book form). I had a severe phobia and those were both life-changing.

We flew Alitalia in November from Rome to Palermo and then Catania back to Rome. It was a lovely flight both ways.