Alitalia MilleMiglia - HEADS UP! Threatened change to service on domestic flights

A rumor has it that from Nov. 1st, on domestic flights other than LIN-FCO-LIN, service will be limited to tea, coffe and water. No snacks, no juices, no soft drinks.

Seriously... what can be the saving in implementing this change? Is this needed to find the pocket money for buying 3 new B777 (as other rumors have it)?

Bah! Sometimes I really don't understand the strategy, if any.

On recent domestic flights no biscuits were offered (Only drinks) where they use to few month ago.

On recent domestic flights no biscuits were offered (Only drinks) where they use to few month ago.

That's incorrect, and I highly doubt any change will happen from November either - it would just be stupid. Stupid.

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On recent domestic flights no biscuits were offered (Only drinks) where they use to few month ago.

Untrue, in my experience.

I got biscuits :)

Cough... other independent confirmation. Looks like it's true :(

Cough... other independent confirmation. Looks like it's true :(

Ha! And they think they'll get away with it? Alitalia, please wake up! The money/weight saved is really minimal, about 25g and 10 cents per passenger, and the complaints will surely outweigh this by far. Really unbelievable AZ should attempt this, it sounds far more like an Iberia sort of move and that's not where we want to be heading at all.

Hopefully they will backtrack on this move before my flight with them next weekend otherwise I will be very angry and probably see less advantage in flying AZ in the future.

A totally "what???" move that probably/hopefully won't last very long.

I really fail to see where the problem is. Come on guys, a small cookie in a flight of often less than one hour (i.e. within Italy) is not going to make such a big difference. I recently flew MUC-TXL and, despite being Lufthansa, the service in terms of catering wasn't that special either (but who cares...).

I really fail to see where the problem is.


To be or not to be, that is the question.
It is true, we always fail to see where the problem is.
"C'mon is it just a pack of biscuits on a domestic flight."

Not that long ago it was "just a tray of plastic food that on a short European hop can be avoided"
The same tray that today many of us remember as a part of those "good old days" while watching at those ridiculous snacks being served.
Ah those good old hot sandwiches bein given aboard the 757 on a Manchester-London morning flights...

Little by little, inesorably, because "it is just a something" it does not add anything else to the flight experience.
Well, what is the limit then?
Because if there is no limit then we can all fly Ryanair, Iberia, SAS, Aer Lingus, Easyjet, and so on, or either accept the Air France challenge to pay exactly what we are looking for.
No way for me.

Heads up guys!
Ciao
Ulxima

Not that long ago it was "just a tray of plastic food that on a short European hop can be avoided"

I never said that, I was talking about domestic flights. Of course we all miss the good old days when the Alisnack box was served, but we must realise that times are tough and, let's face it, it will not make any difference for those of us with status because of the lounge option. I commute daily to London and back on BA and I really can't care less about the offer in terms of catering simply because, if I want to grab a bite, I can still go to the lounge. Oh, and also because at that time in the morning I normally try to get the last half hour sleep before getting to the office :rolleyes:

Rather than saving on everything, they should sell more.
I'd slightly change the existing set of snacks and offer some additional food/drinks that may be purchased onboard, instead.
And provide Gogo onboard!

And provide Gogo onboard!

I'm sure you know this is impossible :-)

I'm sure you know this is impossible :-)

Technically and legally speaking they can, afaik. If that's right... no excuses, I expect Gogo.

I never said that, I was talking about domestic flights. Of course we all miss the good old days when the Alisnack box was served, but we must realise that times are tough and, let's face it, it will not make any difference for those of us with status because of the lounge option. I commute daily to London and back on BA and I really can't care less about the offer in terms of catering simply because, if I want to grab a bite, I can still go to the lounge. Oh, and also because at that time in the morning I normally try to get the last half hour sleep before getting to the office :rolleyes:

For most passengers catering is everything even on a domestic flight. I think it is awful that they should worsen the offer like this, it only creates a bad image, there is nothing positive to see in it. The alisnack on the other hand I didn't like, I thought the sandwiches tasted quite bad (similar to what LX currently offers). Returning to what there was before that, ie a full meal, is impossible, but you can't remove everything and become a sort of IG/IB airline, otherwise what is the point in flying Alitalia?

Awful, awful, awful.

Also please let us not follow Alice11's idea of paying for food because that would really be a completely low cost/charter type service.

Also please let us not follow Alice11's idea of paying for food because that would really be a completely low cost/charter type service.

My experience is based on Delta and other airlines: free snack but additional food available.
For a number of pax, the flights are the only times of the day when they can sit down, have a rest - and have food! I understand they cannot provide a dinner or a breakfast, but if a customer wants something more, why they shouldn't provide some additional option?

BTW, I see a risk in such a scenario: once you set a precedent, you pave the way for what Air France would call 'enhancements'

For most passengers catering is everything even on a domestic flight. I think it is awful that they should worsen the offer like this, it only creates a bad image, there is nothing positive to see in it. The alisnack on the other hand I didn't like, I thought the sandwiches tasted quite bad (similar to what LX currently offers). Returning to what there was before that, ie a full meal, is impossible, but you can't remove everything and become a sort of IG/IB airline, otherwise what is the point in flying Alitalia?

Awful, awful, awful.

Also please let us not follow Alice11's idea of paying for food because that would really be a completely low cost/charter type service.

You'll see that most passengers will be alright on a one hour flight without a cookie, as long as they are served some coffee or tea ;) It's not that bad - as I previously said, as a frequent flyer, all I'm bothered about is good service [under every aspect] in premium classes on long haul flights. What can I say, we'll learn to enjoy a bit more the food served in the lounges, that's for sure :D

For a number of pax, the flights are the only times of the day when they can sit down, have a rest - and have food!

I don't think that's the case on a random FCO-PMO or LIN-PSR, for instance. I'd certainly enhance the current service on European flights, that's for sure!

Technically and legally speaking they can, afaik. If that's right... no excuses, I expect Gogo.

They cannot, simply because GoGo is GROUND based, and there is no ground cellular infrastructure for that service in Europe.

They cannot, simply because GoGo is GROUND based, and there is no ground cellular infrastructure for that service in Europe.

Ok, let's see what a european carrier can provide: FlyNet?

You'll see that most passengers will be alright on a one hour flight without a cookie, as long as they are served some coffee or tea ;) It's not that bad - as I previously said, as a frequent flyer, all I'm bothered about is good service [under every aspect] in premium classes on long haul flights. What can I say, we'll learn to enjoy a bit more the food served in the lounges, that's for sure :D

I have to say I strongly disagree. Even a domestic flight can be up to 1 hour and 55 minutes long and during this time having no food or drink except water is an abysmal level of service, totally unacceptable. Also paying for more food I would see as even worse - once you've bought your ticket all the services should be available without having to pay extra for includable things such as luggage or food.:td::td:

What's more this makes the service very uneven where on two connecting flights of similar length (the domestic segment may even be longer) you receive no service on one flight and the usual service on the other.

My bet is everything will be paid for within 18 months , that's the way it's going right across europe , times have changed , I remember being served a full breakfast on a 30min DUB-MAN flight but as I've said times have changed ,

Ok, let's see what a european carrier can provide: FlyNet?

That's satellite-based, meant for the long-haul, and with a pricing completely incompatible with GoGo.

Which is the reason why GoGo is at least partially a success, and that thing will instead fail over and over again.

Hint: look at the list of NEIN here: http://klarhorst.com/Liste.htm

My bet is everything will be paid for within 18 months , that's the way it's going right across europe , times have changed , I remember being served a full breakfast on a 30min DUB-MAN flight but as I've said times have changed ,

It will take more than 18 months to shift the likes of LH, AF, BA etc. over to paying service.

And instead of holding strong AZ decides to get worse, earlier than most of the others, and offer nothing on a domestic flight. I can only hope they will be forced to shift back over this change soon.

Used to paying on flights here in oz. I look at it as a novelty when I get something for "nothing". Quite sad isn't it!!!

A rumor has it that from Nov. 1st, on domestic flights other than LIN-FCO-LIN, service will be limited to tea, coffe and water. No snacks, no juices, no soft drinks.

Confirmed, this is what it is.

I think one of the [highly unofficial] reasons of such move is that the competition on the domestic front is next to nil, hence basically Alitalia could literally even drop coffee / tea service and serve water on request (I'm not suggesting that this is what they should be doing). This is something that BA, for instance, could not afford to do, given the presence of bmi (perhaps not for long, though) on the shuttles to and from Heathrow.

I think one of the [highly unofficial] reasons of such move is that the competition on the domestic front is next to nil, hence basically Alitalia could literally even drop coffee / tea service and serve water on request (I'm not suggesting that this is what they should be doing). This is something that BA, for instance, could not afford to do, given the presence of bmi (perhaps not for long, though) on the shuttles to and from Heathrow.

Well although AZ currently holds ~53% of domestic market share there is a growing presence of low cost carriers, notably FR on many routes and if the service is no different on AZ (well to be honest they are still a mile apart but less apart than before nonetheless) then customers may well move over to this competition more willingly.

I think one of the [highly unofficial] reasons of such move is that the competition on the domestic front is next to nil,

Nil: Blu Express, Meridiana, Air Italy, easyJet, Ryanair, WindJet, Darwin plus all those airlines Primair-like and some residual carrier like Air Malta on selected routes... Add the trains 'Alta Scomodità'...

Anyway, if most of the flyers expect a 'full' service, I think that an increasing number of customers have different expectations, based on their experiences flying Ryanair, or easyJet or whatever from Bergamo to Nowheredoff during the Erasmus or things like that. Have you noticed those people rushing to grab a seat and then seating wherever they like, or asking if they have to pay a fee if they don't heck in online?

That's satellite-based, meant for the long-haul, and with a pricing completely incompatible with GoGo.

Which is the reason why GoGo is at least partially a success, and that thing will instead fail over and over again.

Hint: look at the list of NEIN here: http://klarhorst.com/Liste.htm

I believe it's something different, it's not a matter of technology. The technology is there, is not even 'new', but it's still expensive as long as main carriers don't perform some mass implementation. Let's see if some mega-projects in Middle East - APAC will drive costs down, maybe the western carriers will follow.

Nil: Blu Express, Meridiana, Air Italy, easyJet, Ryanair, WindJet, Darwin plus all those airlines Primair-like and some residual carrier like Air Malta on selected routes... Add the trains 'Alta Scomodità'...

I repeat, nil: the above list says it all (I mean in terms of quantity and quality as well, even though easyJet can actually be a 'good' competitor on certain routes). Who on earth would fly Meridiana just because Alitalia will no longer serve a cookie (certainly not me). I appreciate it's Halloween tonight, but let's remain serious, on the forum, at least :D
P.S.: you people rest assured that whoever took that decision was (and is) well aware of any potential repercussion in terms of customers' choice etc.

I repeat, nil: the above list says it all (I mean in terms of quantity and quality as well, even though easyJet can actually be a 'good' competitor on certain routes).

If you mean in terms of quality, I agree, in terms of quantity not at all. The competition is really though, there're several million passengers a year left to LCCs and AZ owns barely half of the domestic market.

I have to say I strongly disagree. Even a domestic flight can be up to 1 hour and 55 minutes long and during this time having no food or drink except water is an abysmal level of service, totally unacceptable. Also paying for more food I would see as even worse - once you've bought your ticket all the services should be available without having to pay extra for includable things such as luggage or food.:td::td:

What's more this makes the service very uneven where on two connecting flights of similar length (the domestic segment may even be longer) you receive no service on one flight and the usual service on the other.


^
Well written Bungler, well written.

Ciao
Ulxima

I never said that, I was talking about domestic flights.


It was a general comment, not specifically directed at you my dear AlicorporateUK.
We all have said that by doing nothing. Perhaps we could have done nothing at all but this sort of complacency that all in all "it is a pack of biscuits" does not fit.
Perhaps I am an old-fashioned traveller (but I am certain not to be the only one here) and though I am fine with a glass of water both on sh and mh (irrespective of the class where I am travelling), I consider this move a disgrace. Period.

Ciao
Ulxima

That's incorrect, and I highly doubt any change will happen from November either - it would just be stupid. Stupid.

What a statement! Were you in the same flight? Besides, why would I mention something which is untrue? Do you mean I'm a liar? I was just telling my own experience.... (end of rant)

I repeat, nil: the above list says it all (I mean in terms of quantity and quality as well, even though easyJet can actually be a 'good' competitor on certain routes). Who on earth would fly Meridiana just because Alitalia will no longer serve a cookie (certainly not me). I appreciate it's Halloween tonight, but let's remain serious, on the forum, at least :D
P.S.: you people rest assured that whoever took that decision was (and is) well aware of any potential repercussion in terms of customers' choice etc.I must say that I would tend to agree with AlicorporateUK on this. AZ faces no competitive pressure to maintain high standards domestically and what competitive pressure there is would tend to push it towards lowering fares rather than maintaining or increasing quality, and therefore lower costs.

We would like to believe, as passengers, that maintaining high levels of catering and other inflight service standards is an effective way for legacy carriers to distinguish themselves and compete with LCCs. But we are in all likelihood deluding ourselves when we think that. This is little more than wishful thinking. There is precious little evidence of this. All European carriers have reacted to LCC competition by lowering standards and fares because, ultimately, price is a far more significant determinant than quality of service. Having slightly better catering is unlikely to be a significant in most peoples' choice of carrier unless most other things are broadly equal.

So, however unpleasant and disappointing it might be, it is not that surprising.

So, however unpleasant and disappointing it might be, it is not that surprising.

I on the other hand find it unbelievable. The service has been what it is for several years now, and the idea that AZ would get rid of it completely just like that, and while they are coming into profit as well and might want to start being more competitive - if you had said it to me one month ago, I would have thought you were mad.

For me it is inexplicable also because they are hardly saving any money here. As I have said the very small pack of biscuits can hardly have costed them much more than 10 to perhaps 15 cents per passenger, so what are they saving over a year in return for not offering any service? About 1 million euros maybe (considering 10m domestic passengers?), which is nothing in relation to the profits or losses that Alitalia makes. And this certainly won't help reduce the prices of tickets, I mean ten cents?

But then maybe I'm wrong because the way I see it a full meal can surely only cost about €3,50 per passenger to the airline so why can't they use a little bit of their profit (maybe 50% they pay and 50% raise in prices - the prices would only go up by €1,75 and if the airline already offers a €0,75 snack service then it costs them €1 per passenger) to gain the fantastic reputation this would earn them?

The service has been what it is for several years nowSo?
and while they are coming into profit as well and might want to start being more competitive Do we know where these profits come from and, in particular, the contribution of domestic routes to that profit?

Yes, more competitive but against whom and on what routes?

For me it is inexplicable also because they are hardly saving any money here. As I have said the very small pack of biscuits can hardly have costed them much more than 10 to perhaps 15 cents per passengerYou are assuming that the cost to AZ equates to the cost of the goods. I would have thought that logistics would be a more significant cost. If it weren't, as you say, we would see more airlines offering full meals on short or medium haul and yet we don't. That should tell you something.

No or limited free catering on short-haul economy among second tier airlines in Europe (i.e. those below the big 3) is far from uncommon: IB, SK, SN, EI, BD and whatever service there is on others on domestic flights is minimal and easily forgettable. it does not strike me as 'unthinkable' that AZ should trim down its domestic offering when it is faced with no competitive pressure to offer more. I would not necessarily have predicted it but I do not regard as especially surprising either.

For me it is inexplicable also because they are hardly saving any money here. As I have said the very small pack of biscuits can hardly have costed them much more than 10 to perhaps 15 cents per passenger, so what are they saving over a year in return for not offering any service?

Well you are not considering the cost of servicing aircrafts to keep them filled with goods, and you are not considering the 30-40 kgs of weight of a cart full of goods. I still think it's a very limited amount, but not _so_ limited.

Very bad news regarding the juices.

I can see the cost savings, not so much related to the cost of some cartons of juice but of the cost of carrying them (fuel) and of loading them to the a/c.

But only tea, coffee and water? What about children who always look forward to juice or coca-cola? Or even adults who just don't feel like another caffeine shot? I used to fly LIN-SUF regularly and really appreciated a glass or two of "arance rosse" juice especially in hot weather.

Very bad news regarding the juices.

I can see the cost savings, not so much related to the cost of some cartons of juice but of the cost of carrying them (fuel) and of loading them to the a/c.

But only tea, coffee and water? What about children who always look forward to juice or coca-cola? Or even adults who just don't feel like another caffeine shot? I used to fly LIN-SUF regularly and really appreciated a glass or two of "arance rosse" juice especially in hot weather.

On my flight just before the change they were already offering only water although the snacks were still available. And my comment would be that they aren't saving much weight on the drinks, because most passengers are accepting the water or tea/coffee, even if a few asked for il "succo d'arance" first, and so not much weight is saved between having bottles of juice or bottles of water - and since more people are taking tea/coffee as well, the cost saved by switching from juices to water is further reduced to something that I would have thought was quite minimal. (shakes head)

My experience is based on Delta and other airlines [...omissis...]

Excuse me... Exactly, when did Delta become the "standard" (and I mean standard as the model to follow") in terms of service?

Did I miss something? I never thought (in the recent years) Alitalia is a good carrier, but I'm ready to change my mind if Delta is the way.

I've never said delta is the standard - despite I believe that a number of airlines should learn something from DL.
It was a reply to bungler stating that this sort of service is 'low cost/charter type'.
All in all, if Lufthansia dares to call this sort (http://www.lufthansa.com/it/it/Business-Class) of semi-cama service 'Business Class', Alitalia and Delta can really do whatever they want with the drinks in Y...

I've never said delta is the standard - despite I believe that a number of airlines should learn something from DL.
It was a reply to bungler stating that this sort of service is 'low cost/charter type'.
All in all, if Lufthansia dares to call this sort (http://www.lufthansa.com/it/it/Business-Class) of semi-cama service 'Business Class', Alitalia and Delta can really do whatever they want with the drinks in Y...

mm... in finding a "worse" or "they also do it" carrier you can get an excuse for almost everything... including 3-4-3 on a 777! :td:

mm... in finding a "worse" or "they also do it" carrier you can get an excuse for almost everything... including 3-4-3 on a 777! :td:

Bungler, Delta offers the snack. On top (https://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/inflight_services/economy_class/dining.jsp) of the snack, it sells food.

Agree with NickB on this one

Nothing overly surpising and I have to say one thing that is making me very happy with AZ at the moment is their punctuality.. Taken 4 flights over past few days all on time or early.

Service on domestic flights?? Boh - would only care on a GOA / LIN - CTA

Bungler, Delta offers the snack. On top (https://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/inflight_services/economy_class/dining.jsp) of the snack, it sells food.

I've understood that, but the only time I've experienced this sort of service was on a charter airline, which is why I tagged it as a charter-type service.

That having been said, as long as they do offer a snack for free, I wouldn't mind too much if they sold extra, although I would never buy it, and it would feel wrong for AZ to be selling stuff onboard, even if DL does it, even U2 and FR and whoever else does it (although not all airlines do it ofc) because it would really give a low-cost feeling to the flight which would be regrettable, perhaps even more regrettable than only offering water and tea/coffee.

It was tea, coffee and water only on our FCO-BDS flights this week. I thought they just forgot to give me the cookie so I asked for it and got a firm 'no'.

Thing is, as someone else has raised, a cookie on an hour-long flight is hardly an essential and I imagine there's a disproportionate-looking cost in organising them. Can't blame them really.

Very bad news regarding the juices.

I can see the cost savings, not so much related to the cost of some cartons of juice but of the cost of carrying them (fuel) and of loading them to the a/c.

But only tea, coffee and water? What about children who always look forward to juice or coca-cola? Or even adults who just don't feel like another caffeine shot? I used to fly LIN-SUF regularly and really appreciated a glass or two of "arance rosse" juice especially in hot weather.

I ll miss the blood orange juice as well & I also recall getting icecream on LIN-FCO several times last year :(

I ll miss the blood orange juice as well & I also recall getting icecream on LIN-FCO several times last year :(

You'll still get both on LIN-FCO

from aviazionecivile.com it has been said there is a chance for return to classic biscotti/salatini and drinks service on domestic starting January.


(thumbs up from me of course)

meanwhile more domestic routes at VCE are passing over to Air One, except the VCE-FCO route

this should hopefully free up some of the regional aircraft for use at FCO, and in the meantime the AZ service is more and more limited to FCO and LIN; even outside of the new AP bases - BLQ for example has had non-feeder flights considerably reduced, it may well be a trend.

from aviazionecivile.com it has been said there is a chance for return to classic biscotti/salatini and drinks service on domestic starting January.

(thumbs up from me of course)



WOW, I am looking forward to it.
Thank you for the info
^

再见
Ulxima

I am not surprised.
The quality of services on alitalia flight is below Ryanair and other low cost company. Ryanair may charge you for everything but the flight attendants treat you much better.
I used them week ago for FCO - AMS flight and then give you only soda or tee or coffee and that is and a few crackers.

I am not surprised.
The quality of services on alitalia flight is below Ryanair and other low cost company. Ryanair may charge you for everything but the flight attendants treat you much better.

Puh-lease.

I used them week ago for FCO - AMS flight and then give you only soda or tee or coffee and that is and a few crackers.

And what else would you want on a 2 hours flight? A full meal with wine? Pray tell, which airlines do you usually flight that treat you so well in Y?

Take any BA into Europe flight and they give you wine or alcohol and YES MEAL
REAL MEAL not alitalia crackers.

Last week i take lon - ist with TK and the service was EXCELLENT,
they give you wine , whisky vodka ...,
also choice of two meals NOT CRACKERS,
And inflight entertainment was better then many other airlines and better then alitalia intercontinental flights.
The plane was A321 with big LCD screens probably 8 or 9 inch,
they have probably 30-40 movies to choose.

The sooner alitalia go bankrupt the better.
They are joke.

Well of course, LON-IST is almost 4 hours flying; AZ also offer meals on all flights 3 hours or longer.

--And for your information there is also wine on all AZ flights be it with the snack or the meal service.

As for the BA comparison they offer a snack similar to AZ on intra-europe flights and without choice.

The Alitalia catering service is quite on par with other major airlines, and I will even venture to say it's more consistent especially if the domestic service is returned to normal.

(and TK we all know is one of the best, so it will always be a harsh comparison)

for the future you just have to know that if the flight in economy is less than 3 hours then there is no meal included - and that's stated during the booking process. Also when you say you prefer FR to AZ, I 1. hope you are joking and 2. point out that the low cost model for all its benefits is largely the cause of the decline in catering quality on short flights. TK is lucky enough to be least affected by this as there is little low cost activity in middle east area.

Well of course, LON-IST is almost 4 hours flying; AZ also offer meals on all flights 3 hours or longer.

--And for your information there is also wine on all AZ flights be it with the snack or the meal service.

As for the BA comparison they offer a snack similar to AZ on intra-europe flights and without choice.

The Alitalia catering service is quite on par with other major airlines, and I will even venture to say it's more consistent especially if the domestic service is returned to normal.

(and TK we all know is one of the best, so it will always be a harsh comparison)

for the future you just have to know that if the flight in economy is less than 3 hours then there is no meal included - and that's stated during the booking process. Also when you say you prefer FR to AZ, I 1. hope you are joking and 2. point out that the low cost model for all its benefits is largely the cause of the decline in catering quality on short flights. TK is lucky enough to be least affected by this as there is little low cost activity in middle east area.

What about ist - sof on TK it is 40 min flight and they give you food and alcohol too

Face the truth the alitalia is one of the worst airline.

Take any BA into Europe flight and they give you wine or alcohol and YES MEAL
REAL MEAL not alitalia crackers.


LHR-GOT-LHR No meal
LHR-OSL-LHR No meal
LHR-VRN-LHR No meal
LHR-CDG-LHR No meal

LHR-TUN-LHR No meal
Ok, this was not within Europe, I admit.
But AF on CDG-TUN-CDG serves you a full meal on a tray and so on.
I have no idea which BA are you talking about.

Ciao
Ulxima

BA have the nordic habit of serving a full breakfast on early flights, I think?
Then on all other flights it's an AZ to sub-AZ level, creating confusion.

BA have the nordic habit of serving a full breakfast on early flights, I think?


Not anymore.
But somehow they adjusted their habit to the route.
The "full breakfast" became a chocolate twist on the morning LGW-TUN and a sandwich on both LHR-GOT and LHR-OSL.
In both cases they also served and a yogurt with muesli (or something similar).

The good old days to receive the hot ciabatta filled with scrambled eggs and bacon on the MAN-LHR are long gone south :confused:

Ciao
Ulxima

What about ist - sof on TK it is 40 min flight and they give you food and alcohol too

Face the truth the alitalia is one of the worst airline.

The point, my friend, is that all of the "data" you pointed out was wrong. So asking us to "face the truth" is a bit ridiculous, don't you think?

Yes, TK serves food on shorter routes. It's one of the only carriers that I can think of that does so. And btw, it's not an EU carrier, actually ;-)

As everyone pointed out, AZ _also_ serves alcohol on shorter routes. It's just unusual to see people asking for it, but try, you're welcome to have it.

They might need to save considering they gave so many FT members nearly-FREE tickets to so many places.

The quality of services on AZ flights is very low, at least in Europe and to USA
If they do not offer free checked bag they will be one of the worst low cost airlines in Europe.
This is the only thing that separate them from low cost airlines is this checked bag.

And how much to you think cost them to offer a meal,
probably no more then 3-5 Euro per flight inc. alcohol.
For 150-200 euro RT in Europe this is not too much

What negative experience have you had that makes you so anti-AZ? For me AZ is always one of the most stress-free flight experiences, unlike any low cost carrier. As we explained to you the catering is on par with AF/KL, BA, LH etc., (european carriers) and above some other legacy carriers (IB, UX, SN and others who have reverted to BOB) and the entire airport operations are completely non-low cost, so how can you compare AZ to a low cost?

Another story , a colleague of mine have thicket from NYC to Europe with connection in FCO.
The agent in JFK print him only the boarding pass to FCO and told him that the second boarding pass will be printed in FCO.
He landed on FCO and because he did not have boarding pass for the another flight , the immigration put him in the airport JAIL and no one from alitaly did something and he spend the night in this jail.
He was released the next day.


I am sure that there is a thousands more stories like these in which alitaly is involved .

This is just the way alitaly do business. They don't care about their customers.

double post

35 min. before the flight .... So i know they say i have to be there 40 minute before the flight


So, you were late for checkin, and they denied you boarding. Well done, I'd say.


Another case a few years back i had a flexible ticket FCO-NYC with open return just have to call and reserve a seat a week before i decide to flight back.

I called and then told me that i can flight no early then 3 weeks from the time i called. So i have to wait two more weeks to be put in the plane.


Aside from the fact that I frankly don't believe a word, if there was no seat available, that's YOUR fault for not reserving your seat in a timely fashion. An open return does not mean you can get on any flight you want.


Another story , a colleague of mine have thicket from NYC to Europe with connection in FCO.
The agent in JFK print him only the boarding pass to FCO and told him that the second boarding pass will be printed in FCO.
He landed on FCO and because he did not have boarding pass for the another flight , the immigration put him in the airport JAIL and no one from alitaly did something and he spend the night in this jail.
He was released the next day.


This is for sure a metropolitan legend. Transfer desks are both before and after immigration (and there's AZ personnel everywhere in FCO), so this is simply impossible.

So, you were late for checkin, and they denied you boarding. Well done, I'd say.



Aside from the fact that I frankly don't believe a word, if there was no seat available, that's YOUR fault for not reserving your seat in a timely fashion. An open return does not mean you can get on any flight you want.



This is for sure a metropolitan legend. Transfer desks are both before and after immigration (and there's AZ personnel everywhere in FCO), so this is simply impossible.

I dont care what you think, this is the truth.

He was not EU citizen and the immigration lock him because they thought
he want to immigrate there. He has no boarding pass and no way to prove that his final destination is not Italy.

The correct visa is always necessary when transiting from non-Schengen to Schengen... whatever happened to your friend, I don't think it can be attributed to AZ and in any case none of your experiences suggest a low-cost type service as you claim.

He was not EU citizen and the immigration lock him because they thought he want to immigrate there. He has no boarding pass and no way to prove that his final destination is not Italy.

Then the issue was that he had no valid visa for his travel, not something you can attribute to Alitalia. I repeat, there are transfer desks on either side of the Schengen border, so he could get his boarding pass wherever he wanted.

Maybe his friend landed in Malpensa...

Then the issue was that he had no valid visa for his travel, not something you can attribute to Alitalia. I repeat, there are transfer desks on either side of the Schengen border, so he could get his boarding pass wherever he wanted.

Did you read my post,

If you travel let say lon-nyc via FCO ( i the same day )thay have to issue you two boarding passes one to fco and one from fco to nyc

Who fault is that for some reason they issue him only one boarding pass.
I see alitaliy have noting to do with that. they just try to save from the printing cost and transfer the cost to fco where the cost of printing is 1 cent less then NYC.

Maybe his friend landed in Malpensa...

I know you successfully avoid that mess, but I can assure you there's transfer desks in Malpensa too!

Did you read my post,

If you travel let say lon-nyc via FCO ( i the same day )thay have to issue you two boarding passes one to fco and one from fco to nyc

Who fault is that for some reason they issue him only one boarding pass.
I see alitaliy have noting to do with that. they just try to save from the printing cost and transfer the cost to fco where the cost of printing is 1 cent less then NYC.

This happens all the time with many airlines: it can be because check in for the second flight is still closed, or because the check in is on a partner airline that the departure airport cannot handle, or many other reasons.

When you land at FCO you can go to a transfer desk (BEFORE getting to passport control) and have the boarding pass reprinted.

Regardless of that, your friend should have had his visa. So yes, Alitalia has nothing to do with his issues at the border.

The upgrade is confirmed starting on 8.01.2013.

I'll be able to confirm myself! ^

I know you successfully avoid that mess, but I can assure you there's transfer desks in Malpensa too!


Unless they changed since last August transfer desk is placed after security check and if you do not have a boarding card or a printed copy of your ticket you are doomed.

Last August nobody was present at security, so I decided to clear immigration. Others who did not have the visa had to wait. I met a fellow passenger at the lounge 40 minutes after I checked in (and again I cleared immigration, check-in, new security check).

Ulxima

The quality of services on AZ flights is very low, at least in Europe and to USA
If they do not offer free checked bag they will be one of the worst low cost airlines in Europe.
This is the only thing that separate them from low cost airlines is this checked bag.

And how much to you think cost them to offer a meal,
probably no more then 3-5 Euro per flight inc. alcohol.
For 150-200 euro RT in Europe this is not too much


AZ is not low cost.

AZ is not low cost.

Yes i agree with you, the service they offer is much worse then many low cost company.

Yes i agree with you, the service they offer is much worse then many low cost company.

Well, even if that was true a normal person in your situation would then pick from the above mentioned "many low cost company" since their service is so much better according to you, but you did not. Sounds like you are trying to place the blame on AZ for your immigration issues, which are entirely your own fault. Now excuse me while I enjoy my arance rosse.

Now excuse me while I enjoy my arance rosse.
double ^!

My post doesn't add anything to the conversation, but anything pales to the pleasure of arance rosse inflight.

double ^!

My post doesn't add anything to the conversation, but anything pales to the pleasure of arance rosse inflight.

^ i went to the store to buy it and it is sold out!

Well, even if that was true a normal person in your situation would then pick from the above mentioned "many low cost company" since their service is so much better according to you, but you did not. Sounds like you are trying to place the blame on AZ for your immigration issues, which are entirely your own fault. Now excuse me while I enjoy my arance rosse.

^

Well, even if that was true a normal person in your situation would then pick from the above mentioned "many low cost company" since their service is so much better according to you, but you did not. Sounds like you are trying to place the blame on AZ for your immigration issues, which are entirely your own fault. Now excuse me while I enjoy my arance rosse.


Till you enjoy your drink i will enjoy the agony of your "lovely'' alitalia,
for which you will pay ( i mean all italian )
The italian government will continue pouring YOUR money in it ,
these money will come from your salary and your entitlement cuts.
This company have to be left to go bankrupt long time ago,
but i see that many italians share your opinion and cant see the obviously,
that this company is running wrong way.

Till you enjoy your drink i will enjoy the agony of your "lovely'' alitalia,
for which you will pay ( i mean all italian )
The italian government will continue pouring YOUR money in it ,
these money will come from your salary and your entitlement cuts.
This company have to be left to go bankrupt long time ago,
but i see that many italians share your opinion and cant see the obviously,
that this company is running wrong way.

You evidently don't even know that since 2008 Alitalia is a completely private company, so whatever happens to it is not going to cost us anything.

Can you kindly just shut up and avoid looking like a fool anymore? :D

Another story , a colleague of mine have thicket from NYC to Europe with connection in FCO.
The agent in JFK print him only the boarding pass to FCO and told him that the second boarding pass will be printed in FCO.
He landed on FCO and because he did not have boarding pass for the another flight , the immigration put him in the airport JAIL and no one from alitaly did something and he spend the night in this jail.
He was released the next day.


I am sure that there is a thousands more stories like these in which alitaly is involved .

This is just the way alitaly do business. They don't care about their customers.

I'm afraid your friend has been lying to you and his story is total nonsense of the highest order. The idea that one is put in an immigration retention centre because he/she didn't have his/her boarding card at the airport of origin is simply ridiculous. I'm not sure what you mean by "Europe" but it can mean one of two things: (1) when you transit via FCO to a Schengen destination, you would clear immigration at FCO anyway and would be subject to the exact same immigration requirements as if you had gone straight to your final destination. Having a boarding card for a further intra-Schengen flight makes no difference whatsoever. (2) When you transit between two non-Schengen flights at FCO and do not have your continuation boarding card, you would simply go to one of the many transfer desks where you would pick it up and go through security again. At no point would you pass immigration at all, which is why your friend's story is simply absurd. If you tried to go through transfers without the boarding card, they would simply send you to the transfer desk where your boarding card would be printed. If there was any problem with the system, a copy (paper or electronic) of your itinerary would confirm your situation. I think that there is something that your friend did not tell you because the story as he mentioned it to you is simply not creditable in the least and I think you should double check before accusing AZ of landing people in retention centres because while I have a lot to say against AZ's organisation and they can get on my nerves more than often on a number of issues, the accusation you are making against them is simply unfair and unrealistic.