OK, I did search for this in the Italy forum and didn't get anything specific, so I'm asking away. I'll be moving to Italy within the month and will be based at NAP. I am a current DL PM, so I'm considering staying with them and crediting any AZ miles to my Skymiles account.

That said, I know certain European airlines are superior to DL and provide far better service. LH is highly regarded and is a member of *A, but I'd have to build status with them. I may try a status match with them if anyone thinks it's worthwhile, but I understand you're likely to get the Heisman if you try to status match in Europe.

I'll probably fly Italy-US 2-3 times a year and Italy-Japan 2-3 times a year. Most likely I'll have several intra-Europe flights as well. That seems to suggest a Europe-based airline is optimal, but my only experience on a European carrier was Sabena 11 years ago, so I can only go on hearsay when it comes to those airlines.

Finally, is AZ really that bad? I'm used to Italian customer service (hell, I'm used to Naples). While it isn't the same as flying NH, I can live with it.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

I'll start off by saying I know little about Skyteam so don't know what sort of benefits you would get on AZ as a DL PM.

I hated AZ when I lived in Europe and avoided it whenever possible. Reliability was my major complaint.

I think LH is great so that's where I'd go. As for having to build status, you could ask for a status match with UA - also *A - so that you'd be at least Star Gold to start. You'd have *G benefits (lounge access, extra baggage allowance, priority check-in, etc.) right off the bat....then credit your miles to LH when you fly. (Or just credit them to UA, whatever.)

Mozzarella di bufala.....mmmmmmmm.

IMHO, OK and OK+ are the best combo by quite a margin for intra-Europe flights (and AFAIK the only FFP that will give elite upgrades within Europe).

Unfortunately, they don't fly to NAP!

With AP merged into Alitalia, I would make do with them- they are not THAT bad, and they're more likely than LH to carry out a request for something you are not contractually entitled to.

In terms of which FFP to choose, you need to be VERY careful, since some airlines offer reduced mileage for some classes in some programmes. It would be entirely possible to take a whole bunch of AZ flights and have nothing to show for it in your Delta account...

I haven't flown AZ in many years so I cannot comment on their service. The thing that keeps me from using them more is the frequency of their strikes and service disruptions. In your position, I would ask myself which airline I would most likely be flying on the long hauls and use that airline's FFP. Those are the flights for which your status is most useful, and an airline that you fly often will probably be more generous to you.

I think LH would be a good option in the sense that you could fly it both east and west without going too far out of your way--a 90 minute flight from NAP to MUC, from which you can go almost anywhere. The drawbacks are: 1) you are starting from zero on *A and 2) LH has a very high bar for gold status--100K a year.

Another option is AF. It's a slightly longer flight to CDG (2 hours 20 minutes). Gold card is only 40K and Platinum is 70K. It also has the advantage of allowing you to use the DL miles you've accumulated. I've only flown AF once in the past few years, and I have no status with them so I can't say how good it is. AF members seem to be a very loyal bunch, however.

LH has been officially promoting its status match program following the launch of LH Italia, and keeps extending the deadline (currently 'apply by 7/15 fly 2 LH/LX/OS legs by 7/31').

There is an extensive thread in the M&M forum on this. The relevant LH page is here, and the application form here.

If you have the time to fly the required two legs, this would be a no-brainer to secure a valuable LH SEN card valid till 2011 based on your DL PM. Even if you do not requalify for it (100K in one of your membership years is fairly steep unless flying up front where bonuses are generous), this will provide *G benefits for two years, and LH, which also happens to control BD/LX/LO/SN/OS, treats its own elites quite well (e.g. advance exit row assignments).

For reference LH is also matching status for residents of the Czech Republic, Finland, and Portugal.