RE: Airlines

We flew Aer Lingus as did friends to Rome. Is that a choice?

I have never flown that airline before. I'm looking for a nonstop flight from Philadelphia, Newark or JFK airport. Can you tell me anything about this airline?

We recently ( 10 days ago) flew Alitalia back from Rome as they are partnered with Delta. Have nothing negative to report--flight was fine. Plane was a 330 and probably nicer than the 767 we went over on Delta. Food was fine and they were very generous with the wine. I liked that they provided a neck roll thing which was really sleep inducing.

Alitalia is limping along and entertaining sale offers after filing bankruptcy months ago.
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/report-lufthansa-preparing-alitalia-bid-steep-cuts-50503735

I don't think you would have any issues with Norwegian...just be sure to read the fine prints about luggage, meals, etc.

Norwegian is a low cost airline. Therefore there are some more stringent restrictions on luggage and some extra fees for luggage and drinks.
Alitalia is a traditional airline. They filed for bankruptcy protection and the plan is to sell it to the best bidder. If you are interested in buying the whole airline you must submit bids soon. The sale of the company is expected to be finalized by the end of April.

I just flew Alitalia last week to Rome then to Firenze. The flight was on time and pleasant.
Alitalia is in bankruptcy proceedings being kept afloat by loans from the government. Not sure what the future holds for them.

We have flown Norwegian three times in the past year and were quite happy. We picked the fare "flex+" as it includes baggage and meals (including free wine). Will probably fly them again next year to Rome, and when I fly to Copanhagen in April.
If you picked the "flex" fare, that is the most restrictive and is the fare they normally advertise.
Candidly, I avoid U.S. flag carriers outside of the U.S. when I can because of comfort and cost considerations, and, over the past 2 years' have flown WOW, Icelandic, Norwegian, and TAP happily.

Flown on both, they both have seat back entertainment which I value.

Alitalia is similar to a Delta flight. You get free meal, checked bag, etc... I recall you cannot choose your seat assignment without paying extra but they do a good job of putting groups together.
They should be safe to fly on for a another 6 months or so, after that a little risky but imagine another airline will fly the route (like Delta who they codeshare with for many of these flights) if they go under or get bought out before your flight.
From Boston at least they are the only airline that flies direct to Rome currently, as a result this will never be a cheap flight but is a direct one and sometimes goes on sale.

Norwegian is a great value with a few caveats.
There planes are as nice or better than the competitors so no issues at all with seat comfort or plane ride unlike other discount airlines.
The extra cost for food, checked bag and seat selection gets pricey, adds a about $100 each way per person and the food is not very good.
If they fly direct from where you are to Rome, they are GREAT.
If they fly with a layover in Oslo beware of the layover times, at least from Boston all of their flights to anywhere in Europe get to Oslo in the morning and then don't leave for other European cities like Rome until late day so all have really long (6+ hour) layovers in Oslo

When are you flying? Alitialia is on life-support and will probably be purchased soon. Personally I would avoid them

http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Interviews/Alitalia-Prepares-to-Judge-Suitors-to-Lead-It-Out-of-Bankruptcy

We are flying on June 27th and returning on July 7th. The prices are flucuating a great deal and I'm not sure if I should wait much longer to purchase tickets. Also, any recommendations where to stay in Rome for two nights for a family of five (husband, myself, son, daughter and her friend)?

We are flying Delta direct from JFK to Rome (FCO) - great prices with an Expedia package. Non-stop flights, one free checked bag and we got to choose our seats at no additional cost.

As for Alitalia, when I flew a few years back they were fine.

Given their financial situation I would be wary. Someone might buy them out, but to expect the new owner to keep on doing business the same way is probably an unrealistic expectation. ( i.e., flying all the same routes and schedules) If it was a good way to do business, they would not be in bankruptcy.

Not been on Norwegian, but they seem to have a fairly young fleet, so the planes should be nice.

Marci

We live south of Philly (West Chester, PA) and always take American direct non stop to Rome 6:35pm and fly home from Venice on the 11:45 am flight. We have done this the last 5 times, as recently as 3 weeks ago out of Terminal A1. Easy flights and surprisingly inexpensive. My niece and her husband decided to come with us in Feb/March and the direct, non stop flights above was $636 all in. We use American cards and get our flights from our miles. Let me know if you have any questions.

For those dates I would not book an Alitalia flight now.
Though to counter Joe's point which makes sense, it is important to note some of the Alitalia flights from the US direct to Italy are being sold as more than just Alitalia flights so I would check that aspect if it were your best option otherwise.

Delta on their website may sell you this same flight as a Delta flight and KLM on their site as a KLM flight.
My logic is if Delta sells it as a Delta flight and Alitalia goes under, I would guess Delta would fly the route themselves if the new buyer cancels it ; at least in the short term / this summer. The same thing can be said about KLM.

Boston to Rome direct has been a code share flight between those 3 airlines for years now, so although Alitalia is the only way flying in my case Bos to Rom direct all 3 of these airlines are marketing and selling tickets as their own flight.