I got an email today from Alitalia asking me to fill out an online questionnaire probably due to the fact that I recently flew longahul J.
It turned out to be an interesting, albeit longish, experience with plenty of graphic previews of what the new J class will be.
The emphasis will be, as they put it, on Italian designer brands.
From what I can remember:
- SEAT: the A330 will feature horizontal lie-flat in a staggered layout which looked similar to LX new business class on the A333. The seat is by an italian manufacturer (sorry, forgot the name). There will be mood lighting. The new aircraft will enter in service in March/April 2010 which will coincide with the launch of the new J product.
- AMENITIES: there will be a new amenity kit (sorry cannot remember the brand) and a new attractive duvet/sheet/pillow set by Frette to replace the current wafer think red blanket and equally poor pillow
- CATERING: each cycle will feature regional Italian cuisine. A sample menu from Tuscany was shown, with many items having DOP (certified origin). Some kind of starter will be reintroduced.
- TABLE SETTING: it will designed by Richard Ginori and will feature stylish tableware and glassware and Frette linen.
Sorry I cannot be more specific but it looks like they are taking the job of improving J class seriously. Let's hope that this airline can catch up with other European carriers. Even TP or IB are miles ahead at the moment...
Cheers,
hilltopper
