Other European Frequent Flyer Programs - Extremely poor service in AZ Business class

I have flown Alitalia quite a few times, but each time I tell myself not to (My travel agent doesnt seem to think like me, which is why I end up on it again!)

Although I have not had any major issues of schedules or delays due to their strikes, what amazes me are the extremes in the quality of service.

I flew BOM-MXP-BOS a couple of days ago - the first leg service was POOR, to say the least. This was a C class trip and we were offered no welcome drinks, no menu and when the hors douvres arrived, the FA had no idea what he was serving. Breakfast service was even more disappointing - whats worse, this was an overnight flight and there was no amenity pack. Yes, the 767 offers a LOT of space with the 2-1-2 configuration, but it has no personal IFE and the projection screens are a joke.

If it werent for the fact that I flew AZ MXP-BOS immediately after, I would have thought they are really trimming down their service. The service on the latter leg (also on a similar 767) was like any other C class product.. the food was quite nice, the service pleasant... the contrast was shockingly stark.

Any one knows why this might be the case?

Any one knows why this might be the case?Maybe it's because the departure from BOM is at 2:00AM?

The 777s on AZ -- which I do get on DEL-MXP -- are good. The 767s have issues with the lack of personal IFE and with audio systems that don't work well. The Italy-India route must get the more flawed 767s more often since it's rare that the 767s I get on Italy-India have an audio-headset system that works normally.

I've found the service to be good even though as of late there have been no amenity kits in either direction on Italy-India routes and the food catered out of India leaves much to be desired. The Alitalia staff -- which seems to include no Indians at all on this route -- are unfamiliar with Indian food items. (Even I who spend lots of time in India cannot tell what is what amongst many of the "Indian" menu items.)

It has been rather annoying that as of my last few flights this year getting an amenity kit or even the socks (separate often) has not been possible. I still cannot understand why unless this is an attempt to cut back costs on a route where the business cabin has been increasingly full and coach seems to be holding up fairly ok.

Maybe it's because the departure from BOM is at 2:00AM?

That's not the reason nor an appropriate excuse. Most flights destined to Europe or the US from India leave around the same time and they don't generally have such issues.

The service I have been receiving on AZ in business in-flight has been alert/attentive, helpful and generally apologetic for shortcomings. Others -- on the ground -- seem to have decided not to load amenity kits and decided that fixing the audio systems on the 767s are not of pressing interest to AZ.

That's not the reason nor an appropriate excuse. Most flights destined to Europe or the US from India leave around the same time and they don't generally have such issues.

The service I have been receiving on AZ in business in-flight has been alert/attentive, helpful and generally apologetic for shortcomings. Others -- on the ground -- seem to have decided not to load amenity kits and decided that fixing the audio systems on the 767s are not of pressing interest to AZ.

GUW: Thanks for answering Roboto's comment..

If the reason why the FA couldnt identify the food being offered was because it was all Indian, I can understand - that, however, was not the case - anyway, its pointless belabouring the issue here. I will certainly try to stay away from AZ when flying this sector in future.

GUW: Thanks for answering Roboto's comment..

If the reason why the FA couldnt identify the food being offered was because it was all Indian, I can understand - that, however, was not the case - anyway, its pointless belabouring the issue here. I will certainly try to stay away from AZ when flying this sector in future.

The "hors douvres" served were not Indian? (Most of the food I get on my flights from India back to Italy on AZ seem to have been catered locally within India -- with at least large parts of it clearly being local products.)

I've gotten welcome drinks for DEL-MXP most of the time but sometimes it doesn't happen. I have the same inconsistency with BA for DEL-LHR and LHR-IAD.

With regard to the menu and the India flights. What happens for a day or three each months is that the latest printed menus have not been delivered and are thus not available (but for some reason this seems more of an issue on India-Italy flights than in the other direction). Given that the menus are printed also in Hindi, maybe there is occassionally more of a delay than that which happens with Italian/English menus than with Italian/English/Hindi ones.

I have noticed that as of late that some cabin crews are flying in -- as non-rev passengers -- and then serving a later flight. Perhaps that is having an impact?

Even with the inconsistency in several aspects, I've found AZ to have consistently better service providers in-flight -- at least in terms of attitude -- compared to European and American carriers.

GUW:

To be completely honest, I cannot confirm whether the food was Indian or not, since I declined it after the FA didnt know what he was serving!!

The menu part is just lame.

As for other pax in the cabin - we had 3 Bollywood film stars in there (Including Aamir Khan (of Lagaan fame) who was across the aisle from me) - no non-rev FAs. ;)

GUW:

To be completely honest, I cannot confirm whether the food was Indian or not, since I declined it after the FA didnt know what he was serving!!

The menu part is just lame.

As for other pax in the cabin - we had 3 Bollywood film stars in there (Including Aamir Khan (of Lagaan fame) who was across the aisle from me) - no non-rev FAs. ;)

I don't generally see non-rev FAs as pax on India-Italy. It's Italy-India where I see that mostly. ( I met Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan when he was being feted by the Indian President. Are they relatives? :D Just kidding. ) In any event, I know DEL flights better than BOM flights .... and I hope it remains that way.