I'm thinking of spending a few days in Palermo at Christmastime prior to heading off to Paris. It looks like Wind Jet flights from/to CDG may make the most sense for my travel needs (I'll probably want to fly AA TATL for UG & triple miles purposes, and anyway I'm not a big fan of either DL or AZ.) Have any FTers flown them? Know anyone who has? How was it?

what UG purposes? what's tatl? for what do aa give triple miles? i like AZ in biz class, for transatlantic, for whatever it is worth

As an AA EXP, I receive upgrade instruments which allow me to upgrade. Also, as an EXP, I get a 100% mileage bonus (in other words, double miles) when flying AA. Additionally, AA has a double miles promotion for New York-based flyers through the end of the year for an additional 100% (in other words, triple miles).

Thanks for the comment on AZ, but I don't think it's a good alternative for me, at least for the trip from New York. If I fly AA across the pond ("TATL," by the way, is used on at least the AA board to mean trans-Atlantic), I get the chance to fly in Biz for an economy fare, lounge access and the perks of status, and triple RDMs. I have no status on any SkyTeam carrier so at best would only get single miles, am not planning to buy a bizclass fare, so would be stuck in the back, and since I'll be ending my trip in Germany, would presumably then have to fly back to Italy to connect on AZ to get home or else fly home on DL. The last time I flew DL across the Atlantic, they diverted my plane to ATL and kept me there for 3 days, so it's not an appealing choice for me.

I fly wind on occasion. They are often times late, especially later in the day. I'd fly the earliest flight you can with them. Watch the bag allowances i.e. read the fine print.

Ciao,
FH

Thanks, FH, I did (I'd read a complaint over an 80 Euro baggage charge somewhere on the Internet.) Looks like flights between Italy and France allow 1 checked bag free, and in any case I could also bring 10 kg in carryon free, so I should be okay.

How late is late? Inbound, the flight I'm looking at is due in to PMO at 1640, I think, and I would only have a couple of hours leeway, as I will want to attend a performance that evening and will need to wait for checked luggage and clear Immigration. (Because I'll be flying TATL the preceding night and would need to pick up a checked bag and get to a different terminal--I don't think AA has an interline agreement with WindJet!-- I can't book the early am WindJet flight.) On the return to CDG, I could book the first flight out and would have fewer time strictures in any case.

I am flying them from CTA to BGY next week, any more insight on this airline?
Will take the earliest flight at 7AM so should be O.K.

Also anyone know how long it takes to get from the Catania Sheraton to the airport by car?

YOur flight should be fine as long as the in bound the night before came in. CTA has a website with flights status in English and Italian.

Are you at the Sheraton up on the north side near Aci Castello?
If so that drive CAN take a while with traffic (like an hour) on the outer ring road (A18).
There is a more direct route through the city on Viale Kennedy and such which is about 15 kms. The ring road is longer distance but how many people go to avoid in town traffic and lights. If you are leaving early enough in the morning heading through town might be the option (I presume you have experiance driving here )
I'd ask the hotel staff to double check the average morning conditions up there on that side of town.

Ciao,
FH

Thanks! Hmm looks like it will be an early morning then...
Sicily is one of the most fun places to driveJust go along with the traffic and it should be fine.

OT. I actually have a good friend in Palermo and he once told me how he got his driving licence. I think he has had it since 5 years or so, so quite recently.

apparently only theoretical lessons are needed and about 10 of them are compulsory. He did not have to do any practical driving, and the driving test only took place on a parking lot and took about 5 minutes. Some money was exchanged and voala, he had his licence