Alitalia MilleMiglia - Questions for a Mid May LAX - FCO flight and

I'm an escapee from American. The Non Stop to Rome out of LAX is just to tempting. Flying in Business in what I hope will be a updated 777. A few questions please:

1. Hand luggage. I often take a roll on and a back pack with my camera gear. As a photographer sometimes I travel carry on heavy. I've read the web site - 1 bag with a weight restriction - question is how strict are they at LAX/FCO and if anyone knows TLV? All travel is in Business

2. The seat map I saw was 2/2/2/ - on Expert Flyer. (old configuration?).
May 15 anyone have a best guess or crystal ball?

3. I have a some Delta Peso's in an account (AA and One World own's my soul).... but a non stop to Rome can become a 3 / 4 time a year flight for me. Should I switch to the MilleMiglia program. Now would be the time.

Thanks for the help and any other thoughts.

before you switch to alitalia's program, be aware that the lax- fco nonstop is seasonal. i'm not sure how many months a year exactly but i think its quite brief from lax. also, availability on alitalia does not often correspond to their own web site or expert flyer. you have to call and then find out that the award is usually not available. very italian! and i can say that because i'm Italian. have a great trip in magnifica, BTW!:)

I'm an escapee from American. The Non Stop to Rome out of LAX is just to tempting. Flying in Business in what I hope will be a updated 777. A few questions please:

1. Hand luggage. I often take a roll on and a back pack with my camera gear. As a photographer sometimes I travel carry on heavy. I've read the web site - 1 bag with a weight restriction - question is how strict are they at LAX/FCO and if anyone knows TLV? All travel is in Business

2. The seat map I saw was 2/2/2/ - on Expert Flyer. (old configuration?).
May 15 anyone have a best guess or crystal ball?

3. I have a some Delta Peso's in an account (AA and One World own's my soul).... but a non stop to Rome can become a 3 / 4 time a year flight for me. Should I switch to the MilleMiglia program. Now would be the time.

Thanks for the help and any other thoughts.

Ciao :)

1) in Magnifica they will rarely care. They will, occasionally, in Economy.

2) 2-2-2 is the old config. Just open up the seat map of the flight you want to book, it should be 1-2-1 if it's reconfigured. Or you can just try to book into premium economy: if it offers premium economy, it is reconfigured.

3) If you fly paid J, MilleMiglia is most rewarding, earning you 300% qualifying miles. So you would be Elite with just 1 roundtrip, and quite possibly Elite+ with 2.

Elite+ would take you to 350% miles per J trip, 300% of which qualifying.

Actually, if you become Freccia Alata Plus (80k qualifying miles) it becomes 400%. Or, you can book yourself in Premium Economy and upgrade to Business with the same amount of miles you earn in the flight.

also, availability on alitalia does not often correspond to their own web site or expert flyer. you have to call and then find out that the award is usually not available.

It's the other way round. Availability displayed is LESS than the real one.

Thank you everyone......

One more question - Check in at FCO for a Tel Aviv flight - in J - allow how much time.

On handluggage you are allowed 1 bag (weight never checked) + a briefcase or "personal item" ie. mini-backpack/handbag + laptop w. case:

https://www.alitalia.com/BE_EN/Images/87-51019hand_baggage_quick_reference_0511.jpg

For TLV you need around 1 hour 45 minutes to check-in and from TLV you need at least three hours. The check-in closing times are:

*From FCO to TLV: 60 minutes before flight.
*From TLV to FCO: 150 minutes before flight.

https://www.alitalia.com/EN_EN/your_travel/check_in/check-in_time_limit/index.aspx

On handluggage you are allowed 1 bag (weight never checked) + a briefcase or "personal item" ie. mini-backpack/handbag + laptop w. case:

https://www.alitalia.com/EN_EN/Images/87-51019hand_baggage_quick_reference_0511.jpg

For TLV you need around 1 hour 45 minutes to check-in and from TLV you need at least three hours. The check-in closing times are:

*From FCO to TLV: 60 minutes before flight.
*From TLV to FCO: 150 minutes before flight.

https://www.alitalia.com/EN_EN/your_travel/check_in/check-in_time_limit/index.aspx

THANK YOU - sounds like an all nighter at tlv...