I have booked flights with Alitalia from Florence to Palermo on Oct. 22 & from Catania to Rome on Nov. 1. Given the bankruptcy situation of Alitalia, I am unsure of what to do! Any suggestions on how to handle this.....my main concern is getting to Sicily for the tour and also back to Rome for my flight back to Colorado. I am thinking I will lose money on the flights I already bought, but wondering if I should just book other flights now. And maybe go through a travel agent?? Any help will be greatly appreciated.....maybe other people on the Sicily tour are in a similar situation. Also...any suggestions of other airlines to use? Thanks!
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16716 posts
Betty, did you read the response from Roberto to your previous question plus the input from others on the situation?
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/would-you-fly-alitalia
Posted by
OP
Colorado Springs
23 posts
Thanks, Kathy. Yes, I have read the responses But thought I might also get input from people who might be on my Best of Sicily Oct. 22-Nov. 1 tour and in the Alitalia situation.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
I believe Roberto's post said the Alitaia situation should become clearer as the October 2 deadline for bids approaches. One option would be to wait a few weeks to see how things develop. I used Alitalia to get to and from my Sicily tour this past February, but that was before the bankruptcy.
If you decide to book alternate flights, Vueling has a direct 10:00am Florence to Palermo flight on October 22 that's fairly inexpensive. They also have a direct 9:10am Catania to Rome flight on November 1 that's not too expensive. I haven't flown Vueling within Italy, but I did fly them Amsterdam to Florence a few years ago and was very satisfied. Going to Palermo, you may find other flight options from Bologna or Pisa, and there are express buses to both airports from Florence.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16212 posts
Alitalia won't be liquidated before the end of the year even in the worst possible scenario (no bids).
There are so far 10 prospective buyers that have so far submitted non binding letters of interest for purchasing Alitalia in whole or in part.
Oct 2: deadline for binding tender.
Nov 5: deadline for counteroffers.
So I wouldn't worry if travel is within these timeframes.
Actually I'm pretty sure someone will buy. There will be major restructuring and job cuts by the new owner, but I doubt the company will be liquidated.