I'm considering them because they're one of the few airlines that fly non-stop from Los Angeles to Rome. However, their reviews on-line seem VERY sketchy. I don't HAVE to fly non-stop, but it would be nice, plus their prices are competitive.
Thank you,
I would not. Once was enough. They are repeatedly in bankruptcy and no one wants to bail them out this time. They will probably muddle through again.
There are other options for non-stop flights: KLM, Air France, and Norwegian Air.
https://www.cntraveler.com/story/norwegian-air-to-launch-flights-from-us-to-rome
Never again.
Three returns from Toronto in the past. My wife says never again - I might make her reconsider if I can get a very cheap flight, as before. No personal TV on four of the six flights, don't know if it has changed in the last couple of years. On our last flight my wife received a lasagna burnt black on both sides, the wait staff did not offer her anything in exchange, and no apology.
It depends on the price. I have flown them a couple of times and the first time the service was pretty indifferent.
If you do chose them I would not check a bag (just carry on) and bring your own food and try to watch movies or go to sleep so you do not notice anything.
Alitalia is currently under bankruptcy protection.
Oct 2 is the deadline for bidding on Alitalia's acquisition by prospective buyers.
So far RyanAir and others like Lufthansa and also some equity funds have expressed an interest, but I don't know if they have formalized a bid and in what terms.
If nobody buys, the company will be wound down and its assets sold. If someone buys the company, in whole or in part, they may probably honor your ticket.
However, for now, until we know for sure, I woundn't buy any trip with them if the trip takes place after Oct. Then once the dust settles we'll see, but now I'd consider it risky.
One of the best flights we ever had was on Alitalia from NY to Rome. It was code-share with Delta so were not expecting to see Alitalia when we board in New York. Actually an excellent flight with good service. The return flight on Delta was decent but not as nice as with Alitalia. But relatively speaking, I think all of the airline service is marginal at best. Once used to think Lufthansa and BA were great but the last couple flights on both with them have been very average. Now I just go with price and schedule and figure I will endure.
Not sure when you are flying, but Norwegian Air will be flying direct from both LA and San Francisco to Rome after the 1st of the New Year. You can check their monthly calendars online.
Thank you everyone for taking the time to answer. This is the best website! Didn't realize that Alitalia was under bankruptcy protection. Not worth the risk for just a non-stop flight.
Before you discount the flight, it does depend on the date.
I booked our tickets with them through Delta, so I'm hopeful that we'll still have a flight. But LAX to Rome should have other options???
Flew them direct from Boston to Rome last week.
Absolutely no issues.
Would have no worries about their bankruptcy if I was purchasing a ticket in 2017. My flight was actually a KLM booked flight though flown by Alitalia. Delta/KLM and Alitalia are all partners in a "sky team" alliance for this reason the bankruptcy would not scare me on a purchased ticket for 2017.
If something were to happen many customers affected would not be just Alitalia customers but Delta and KLM ones.
Those 2 airlines are doing well so believe they would run the affected flights instead of something and not leave their customers out to dry.
Food not the best but didn't find their coach seats any worse than other airlines, I find all airlines equally uncomfortable but not going to pay the outrageous differences to not fly coach so suffer through it.
All employees were friendly.
Luggage policy is good, so really unclear what complaints folks have about them that is not a blanket complaint for most every airline in 2017 travel.
Our flight left on time and arrived a little early.
Flew Alitalia in 2014 from Rome to Athens and back. Their coach service was a notch better than a comparable US flight.
The bankruptcy issue is what would give me pause.
Have been reading the posts about Alitalia.....Did not know about the bankruptcy! I have tickets with them to fly from Florence to Palermo and then Catania to Rome on Oct. 22 & Nov. 1 respectively. Help!!! Any suggestions????
Have been reading the posts about Alitalia.....Did not know about the bankruptcy! I have tickets with them to fly from Florence to Palermo and then Catania to Rome on Oct. 22 & Nov. 1 respectively. Help!!! Any suggestions????
1227betty
You should be fine.
The deadline for the binding bid is Oct 2.
Then the bidders will be given until Nov 5 to improve and finalize their offers.
So the company will survive until then at least.
It will likely become part of the group eventually winning the bid, whether it is RyanAir, AirFrance-KLM group, Lufthansa AG Group, or IAG Group, which are the largest airline groups in Europe.
Most people don't know that many European airlines are already part of those groups and are only brand names. AirFrance and KLM are part of the same company, British, Vueling, Iberia, AirLingus are all brands of IAG. Lufthansa, Swiss, GermanWings, and others are brands of Lufthansa. Alitalia will likely become a brand of one of those larger groups. We don't know who yet. For sure many Alitalia employees will be laid off in the process. Alitalia's payroll is way too bloated.
The Pope flys Alitalia.
If it's good enough for him...
I'd look in to the current bankruptcy concerns.
Other than that my experience with them has been fine. 5 flights, only minor delays, comfort and service no different than other airlines in coach (not great but tolerable). The last of these flights was earlier this year, so this is pretty recent. Personal TVs on all the trans-Atlantic flights. I'd fly them again, no question. But the current situation would require a little research first.
