Trip Reports - Trip Report: JFK-FCO; MXP-JFK with Alitalia in Magnifica Class

This is as far back as my memory of flights goes. I haven't seen many Alitalia reports on this site, so I thought it would be interesting.

This is a trip from several years ago, that I have wanted to put up for some time. Hope you find it enjoyable.

June 27, 1997 (give or take a day)
Alitalia Flight AZ 609 (I think) JFK-FCO
Scheduled Aircraft: Boeing 767-300ER
Actual Aircraft: MD-11 Combi

This was my first time going to Italy and my first time flying in business class. Needless to say, I was very excited. My father is an American Express Platnium Card holder, which allows him to get a "two for one" deal in business class on select airlines. Since he was going to be doing some work on the trip, his company paid for one of them. As such, all four of us got to fly in business class for the price of one J-class ticket. Not bad.

The limo arrived at 6:00 PM for a 9:15 PM departure. As we live in Northern Westchester, I thought this was a little late, but it wasn't my call. It took us about 90 minutes to get to JFK, which was a little longer than normal.

At this time, Alitalia was operating out of the IAB, which had just begun its renovation project, making everything more chaotic than usual. Before we could get into the terminal, we had to show a security guard our tickets. Check-in was quick with dedicated lines for Magnifica Class, but our seats were reassigned from two window/aisle combos to one window and one center seat pair. We then proceeded up the escalator to wait in Alitalia's lounge. The lounge faced the parking lot, so there was no chance to see any airplanes. It ws well furnished with a full help yourself bar and some big TVs.

At about 8:45 PM, we got the call to board, Our gate was very close to the lounge, and I could see that they were still in the middle of a very chaotic economy boarding. As this was the IAB, there were no windows and I could not see mine or anyother aircraft. We forced our way through the line and then had to go through security on the jetway, before boarding the plane. While on the jetway, I saw that we were using the mid cabin door, which struck me as odd, seeing that every picture I had seen of an Alitalia 767, showed them without this door.

I showed my boarding card to the flight attendant, and was directed to the left and into the spacious cabin. I saw the seats were arranged in a 2-2-2 layout and looked very spacious for a 767. The predominate color of the cabin was offwhite and grey, and looked very calming. Before settling into my seat, I strolled up to the cockpitt, looked in, and saw that the CRTs were all arranged in a row. At this point, I realized that I was on a MD-11 and not a 767!

The seat pitch was great at around 55 to 60 inches (there is no firct class on Alitalia) and the seat was very comfortable. We were informed that the flight was non smoking, which was great news seeing as we expected Alitalia to be all smoky. We left the gate on time and, since it was a bit past the rush hour, were airborne from 22R in thirty minutes.

Soon after takeoff, we were served drinks and a plate of canapes, nuts and goldfish. We were then handed the menu. After this, our trays were set with a cloth, salt and pepper shakers, silverware and glasses. Next they served the appitizer, which was Parma ham and melon (very Italian). After this, came a pasta course, with three choices (two tomato based and one cream based). I had a sampler of all three and was left thinking that if airline pasta could be this good, I was going to be in for a treat upon reaching Italy. After this, came the main course, which was a choice between a beef or a fish dish. I had the beef and found it to be dissapointing, but not terrible. Next, came a cheese plate, with three cheeses, grapes and crackers. Very good. Finally, the meal ended with Tiramassu (?) and ice cream. Also very good.

After the meal, I pulled out the PTV, only to find that mine did not work. My Dad offered to switch seats, but I decided to stay put in the window. They showed the movie "Fierce Creatures" on the main screen. Being a big "A Fish Called Wanda" fan, I was a little dissapointed, but it was still entertaining.

Being the end of June, it never really got dark, even though we were flying a fairly southernly route. We just barely touched the southern point of Newfoundland and then made landfall over Brittiney on the other side. At some point, I visited the flight deck and was basically ignored by the flight crew. I decided it was not worth asking for the jumpseat for landing.

Soon, breakfast was served. Unlike many airlines, which only offer a continental breakfast, Alitalia served a full meal of pancakes, sausage, breads, cereal and yogurt. It was very good, but I was not too hungry.

By this time, we were overflying France. We left the French coast near Nice and overflew the Mediterreanian (?). Soon, Italy came into view and we landed at Rome 7 hours and 40 minutes after leaving JFK at around 11:30 AM local time. We did not use a jet way and had to take a bus to the terminal. The bus circled the plane, and I saw cargo being unloaded from the main deck. Presumably, our flight was switched to a MD-11 to accomidate some cargo load. Passport control was nonexistent, which upset me as I wanted mine stamped. It took awhile for the bags to come and I was getting upset, until a man who was also travelling in Magnifica said, "relax, you're in Italy now." I knew than I was going to fall in love with this country.

Since I have to do some work now, I will write the second part of this report later in a reply post.

My trip to Italy was fantastic. We started in Rome, drove to Assisi and Florence, took a train to Venice and then were driven to Lake Como via Verona. Although I was excited to fly again on Alitalia, I was not at all ready to leave Italy. However, having thrown many coins in the Trevi Fountain, I was sure that I'd be back (see another of my trip reports from earlier this month).

August 8, 1997
Alitalia flight AZ 6608 MXP-JFK
Scheduled Aircraft: Boeing 767-300ER
Actual Aircraft: Boeing 767-300ER

The limo came to pick us up at the Villa D'Este Hotel on beautiful Lake Como at 1:00 PM for a 3:30 PM departure. It took about an hour to get to Malpensa from the hotel and the drive was quite pleasant with wonderful views of alps and the lakes.

At this time, the current main terminal was not completed, so we flew out of the present Terminal 2, located at one end of the airport, between the two runways. It was a little difficult to find the business class check-in area, but after some searching, we realized it was located in a separate room to the side of the main check-in and was staffed by people working for Aeroports de Milan (or something like that). Check-in was quick and this time we got the seats which we had requested.

We then headed to the lounge, which was located on the ground floor and featured much the same amenities as the Alitalia lounge at JFK, despite being a joint lounge for all business class passengers, regardless of airline. I sat for a few minutes and then went exploring. There was a Royal Air Maroc 737 and an Alitalia 747-200 and MD-11 at the gates. Addtionally, several aircraft were parked at remote stands beyond the terminal. Our flight had not yet arrived and was scheduled to leave from a remote stand. Soon, however, the 747 left for parts unknown and our flight was assigned to that gate.

By 3:00 PM, the aircraft had not arrived and I asked the attendent in the lounge if she knew what was up. She did not. Eventually, with about ten minutes to go before our scheduled departure, the flight arrived. Apparently, despite offering two nonstops from Rome to JFK, Alitalia began its Milan-JFK flight in Rome. After being at the gate for a few minutes, boarding was called and, as at JFK, everyone mobbed the jetway at once. This time, there were windows in the terminal and I could see that our flight was a 767-300.

There were about five people who had flown the aircraft up from Rome and they stayed on board at Milan. I settled into seat 4A and my sister took the aisle. My parents went into the seats immediately behind us. We were offered champagne and waited for the boarding to finish. This time, all the economy passengers had to walk past us, so it was not as quiet as the previous flight.

We pushed from the gate about 30 minutes late and immediately took off. Soon after takeoff, we were treated to a great view of the Alps. Unfortunately, the caterers never loaded the menus in Rome, so we did not know what were going to be eating. The meal started with the same crackers and canapes, served with a choice of drinks. The appitizer was a fish carpaccio, which was better than I expected. Next came the pasta course, which, like the flight before consisted of three choices. I tried all three and all were great. The main course was a choice between swordfish or minced meat. I choose the fish and it was good, but still my least favorate part of the meal. Next came another cheese service, which was the same as the previous flight. Then, came dessert, which was another tiramasu cake.

After the meal I visted the flight deck. This flight was a training flight and, as such, there were two captains. The one in the left seat was upgrading to the 767 from the MD-80 and had never flown over the Atlantic. The second captain was explaining the arrival route into JFK, which was interesting to hear. He let me listen to the NY weather report on the HF and I got to watch him do a position report to Shanwick. I then popped the question about riding the jumpseat for landing, and was told that I could stay for the approach, but had to go back to my seat for landing. Fair enough, I thought.

The flight took off from Milan, overflew the Alps and headed to Geneva, it then crossed France and began the Atlantic crossing over the English Channel. We skirted the Island of Newfoundland and then headed down the eastern seaboard to JFK.

There were no PTVs, and the movie choices we were less than appealing (I don't recall what they were). About two hours out, we were served a second meal, which consisted of a plate of insalata caprese (tomato, mozzorella and basil), some meat and a pudding-type thing for dessert. With no menu, I could not identify it. We were also offered some warm snacks, but I declined. As it came time to start our desecent, I inquired about going back to the flight deck, but was told that the weather in JFK was bad and that I could not go up. Of course, if weahter was a problem, I understood. We followed the usual route over southern Long Island and them landed on 13L after 8 hours and ten minutes of flying. Of course, the weather was crystal clear -- I hate being lied to.

By the time we finished at immigration, our bags were waiting for us and met our driver and headed home. Definately a great trip.

Thanks for the report. I have been hunting for an Alitalia trip report and am happy to have found one!

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