I can't speak specifically from FCO as I haven't gone through there recently but if MXP is similar I would recommend planning as you normally would.
For us, starting with AA's recommendation of 3 hours, we left our hotel about 2.5 hours before departure. We had checked bags & MXP Fast Track. Our flight was mid-AM and we stayed, as usual, at the MXP Sheraton so all we had to do is walk 5 minutes to the desk to check-in. 2.5 hours gives enough time to get to the desk, check-in, get through security, make the way to the lounge, shop duty free (optional) and relax for ~30 minutes before going to the gate for boarding (appx 1 hour before departure). This is pretty much the same as we did before Covid.
Will say the lounge in March was worse than the lounge in October as there was no liquor. Both cases, no tomato juice so no bloody mary either case, did have a screwdriver in October. Hopefully, this will get fixed shortly.
Last edited by JMN57; Apr 17, 2022 at 3:51 pm