New business class on FCO-LIN from 16 July 2012
Jun 20, 2012, 12:38 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 925
New business class on FCO-LIN from 16 July 2012
Details to follow. I hope this doesn't mean a downgrade in the standard economy snack! 
Currently the only inconvenience is that it is impossible to book a return flight on the FCO-LIN that crosses 16 July.
Also new "guranteed"-style pricing:
*€99 OW until sold out or 5 days before departure.
*€149 OW guaranteed until 3 days before departure.
*€199 OW flexible fare, available until plane full.
In "comfort" class (access to lounges, not sure if onboard experience is closer to Business or Economy):
*€189 OW until sold out or 5 days before departure.
*€289 OW flexible fare, available until plane full.
No other prices will exist, so you know how much your trip costs even before going to the alitalia website.
Other Alitalia news: new CEO (Ragnetti) has said AZ doesn't need to cut costs anymore. Loss expected in 2012, profit in 2013. (2009-10 there were losses, 2011 was break-even). No extra cash needed. No long-haul expansion in short-term, although Colaninno seemed convinced AZ will expand rapidly by three years' time. Merger with AF likely once AZ is strong enough to have equal influence. Also, portable TV's for entertainment on non-PTV planes will soon be offered to C passengers on medium-haul, possibly offered for a fee to Y passengers (unconfirmed).
Currently the only inconvenience is that it is impossible to book a return flight on the FCO-LIN that crosses 16 July.
Also new "guranteed"-style pricing:
*€99 OW until sold out or 5 days before departure.
*€149 OW guaranteed until 3 days before departure.
*€199 OW flexible fare, available until plane full.
In "comfort" class (access to lounges, not sure if onboard experience is closer to Business or Economy):
*€189 OW until sold out or 5 days before departure.
*€289 OW flexible fare, available until plane full.
No other prices will exist, so you know how much your trip costs even before going to the alitalia website.
Other Alitalia news: new CEO (Ragnetti) has said AZ doesn't need to cut costs anymore. Loss expected in 2012, profit in 2013. (2009-10 there were losses, 2011 was break-even). No extra cash needed. No long-haul expansion in short-term, although Colaninno seemed convinced AZ will expand rapidly by three years' time. Merger with AF likely once AZ is strong enough to have equal influence. Also, portable TV's for entertainment on non-PTV planes will soon be offered to C passengers on medium-haul, possibly offered for a fee to Y passengers (unconfirmed).
Last edited by bungler; Jun 20, 2012 at 12:54 pm
Jun 20, 2012, 3:05 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: London LON; Rome FCO
Programs: KM P, DL S | SPG G, HH S | Hertz PC, Sixt Plat
Posts: 1,370
OMG, still focusing on FCO-LIN...
Does 'comfort' mean that new domestic business?
I believe it may make sense to add a business service on domestic routes, as long as it adds value to a whole itinerary in J. Worth a try. All in all, the hardware is already available.
Re the profits: they have done a good job so far, despite the economic downturn, but with the country definitely collapsing and the eurogeddon, I don't see a reason for such an optimism.
Does 'comfort' mean that new domestic business?
I believe it may make sense to add a business service on domestic routes, as long as it adds value to a whole itinerary in J. Worth a try. All in all, the hardware is already available.
Re the profits: they have done a good job so far, despite the economic downturn, but with the country definitely collapsing and the eurogeddon, I don't see a reason for such an optimism.
Jun 27, 2012, 4:15 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: MIL,LHR
Programs: *A, OW, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 374
Aug 6, 2012, 4:00 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Italy
Programs: ITA Executive for life; AZ CFP "per sempre" (ST E+); LH SEN; BA Bronze
Posts: 1,948
Meh.
Aug 7, 2012, 3:44 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Italy 90% - Rest of the World 10%
Programs: Marriott + Hilton. Fly BA and AZ
Posts: 2,912
Got a small sandwich and normal drink. Nothing special but it is a 45 minute flight so OK
Aug 12, 2012, 5:12 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: AMS
Programs: KL PFL; BA Gold; A3 Silver; EY Silver; SU Silver
Posts: 2,488
I took a morning flight on 28 JUL. I believe I got the same crap food as economy passengers, so the only difference between this 'comfort' (even boarding pass does not say 'business') class is that middle seat is blocked and you have your curtains
Aug 16, 2012, 2:00 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Italy 90% - Rest of the World 10%
Programs: Marriott + Hilton. Fly BA and AZ
Posts: 2,912
New business class on FCO-LIN from 16 July 2012
Its a short 45 min flight so you really can't expect that much
Take a LAS - LAX with AA or DL and you have no lounge, no newspaper, no snack
Just a drink + a much better seat
But there AZ would have to change their planes
Take a LAS - LAX with AA or DL and you have no lounge, no newspaper, no snack
Just a drink + a much better seat
But there AZ would have to change their planes
Aug 28, 2012, 2:25 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2004
Location: 7th planet on your right
Programs: BA[G], SQ[G], TK[G], DL[PM], EY[G], AF[S], IC[Amb], HH[G]
Posts: 1,641
terminalfive, while I agree that on sectors such as LAS-LAX with american carriers you don't get any perks but a good seat, I strongly think that european carriers should look at the best, not at the worst!, shouldn't them?