Best Airline to Europe in Business class
Apr 13, 2011, 12:37 pm
#31
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Delhi
Programs: Emirates gold *alliance silver jet airways platinum tridentprivilege gold.
Posts: 1,817
You consistently base your evaluation of Alitalia on their flat beds. (And, for some reason, think your opinions are fact).
A flat bed may be nice and comfortable. What about connections? Schedules? What about calling customer service to change your flight? What about arriving with your baggage at the same time (and intact)? There is much more to choosing a carrier than a bed in J.
Combine all of those, and I feel Alitalia is below average. I dislike connecting in CDG, but would take Paris over Rome on any trans-Atlantic occasion.
A flat bed may be nice and comfortable. What about connections? Schedules? What about calling customer service to change your flight? What about arriving with your baggage at the same time (and intact)? There is much more to choosing a carrier than a bed in J.
Combine all of those, and I feel Alitalia is below average. I dislike connecting in CDG, but would take Paris over Rome on any trans-Atlantic occasion.
Apr 14, 2011, 11:12 am
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
For those who don't think AZ is all that perilous, I just got an email from them with a promo for flights from the US...
Take $200 off your next Business Class ticket purchase by entering promo code MAGNIFICA200 when prompted or save $50 on your next Economy Class ticket purchase by entering promo code CLASSICA50 when prompted.
The coupon codes are valid on purchases made through April 21, 2011 for travel through December 11, 2011.
* This offer is valid on tickets purchased on alitalia.com’s US site for transatlantic itineraries from the US to Italy and Europe. Tickets must be purchased by April 21, 2011 for departures through December 11, 2011. The e-coupon discount is not valid on previous purchases or combinable with other e-coupon or promotional discounts of any kind. Airport taxes and government imposed fees, including the September 11th Security Fee of up to $10, are excluded from this discount.
Take $200 off your next Business Class ticket purchase by entering promo code MAGNIFICA200 when prompted or save $50 on your next Economy Class ticket purchase by entering promo code CLASSICA50 when prompted.
The coupon codes are valid on purchases made through April 21, 2011 for travel through December 11, 2011.
* This offer is valid on tickets purchased on alitalia.com’s US site for transatlantic itineraries from the US to Italy and Europe. Tickets must be purchased by April 21, 2011 for departures through December 11, 2011. The e-coupon discount is not valid on previous purchases or combinable with other e-coupon or promotional discounts of any kind. Airport taxes and government imposed fees, including the September 11th Security Fee of up to $10, are excluded from this discount.
Apr 14, 2011, 3:18 pm
#34
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Italy
Programs: ITA Executive for life; AZ CFP "per sempre" (ST E+); LH SEN; BA Bronze
Posts: 1,948
As far as connections and schedules go, FCO is actually fairly standard. There's a luggage issue, but the very same issue is there at CDG.
Customer service for AZ is quite good, as long as you call a premium customer line. And, if you are flying J... I suppose you actually have a T.A. handling that for you. If you don't, you should.
Apr 16, 2011, 5:14 pm
#35
In Memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: DL DM, UA, AA, SPG Gold, Marriott, HH, Fairmont, NYSC (Passport), 24hrFitness-Super Sport
Posts: 2,197
Apr 17, 2011, 12:58 am
#36
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 925
For those who don't think AZ is all that perilous, I just got an email from them with a promo for flights from the US...
Take $200 off your next Business Class ticket purchase by entering promo code MAGNIFICA200 when prompted or save $50 on your next Economy Class ticket purchase by entering promo code CLASSICA50 when prompted.
The coupon codes are valid on purchases made through April 21, 2011 for travel through December 11, 2011.
* This offer is valid on tickets purchased on alitalia.com’s US site for transatlantic itineraries from the US to Italy and Europe. Tickets must be purchased by April 21, 2011 for departures through December 11, 2011. The e-coupon discount is not valid on previous purchases or combinable with other e-coupon or promotional discounts of any kind. Airport taxes and government imposed fees, including the September 11th Security Fee of up to $10, are excluded from this discount.
Take $200 off your next Business Class ticket purchase by entering promo code MAGNIFICA200 when prompted or save $50 on your next Economy Class ticket purchase by entering promo code CLASSICA50 when prompted.
The coupon codes are valid on purchases made through April 21, 2011 for travel through December 11, 2011.
* This offer is valid on tickets purchased on alitalia.com’s US site for transatlantic itineraries from the US to Italy and Europe. Tickets must be purchased by April 21, 2011 for departures through December 11, 2011. The e-coupon discount is not valid on previous purchases or combinable with other e-coupon or promotional discounts of any kind. Airport taxes and government imposed fees, including the September 11th Security Fee of up to $10, are excluded from this discount.
Or +39062222. The important thing is to avoid foreign(=not italy)-based Call Centres.
Last edited by bungler; Apr 17, 2011 at 1:13 am
Apr 21, 2011, 6:03 am
#38
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Italy
Programs: ITA Executive for life; AZ CFP "per sempre" (ST E+); LH SEN; BA Bronze
Posts: 1,948
Apr 22, 2011, 5:40 am
#39
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: pretty much everywhere
Programs: FB, MM, QM, ES, KF & LP / HH, HGP & SPG
Posts: 484
I see that someone is marketing heavily AZ. This is a complete mystery for me, why should anyone recommend AZ? For their good aircraft? For their awesome customer service? Or for their "always" in time policy? I wonder...
Apr 22, 2011, 1:34 pm
#40
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Italy
Programs: ITA Executive for life; AZ CFP "per sempre" (ST E+); LH SEN; BA Bronze
Posts: 1,948
I would NOT recommend flying AZ in Economy, except if way cheaper than competition, for instance. Nor I would generally recommend AZ (I still believe BA to be superior in J, for instance, because it's cheaper with absolutely good service).
But if the parameters are "best skyteam airline to fly to Europe in J", the lines with the new A330 offered by AZ are simply the best choice out there.
Apr 22, 2011, 8:17 pm
#41
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: Skyw. Gold,FB Gold,LH Sen.,TK Elite,HH Dia.*,Marriott Pl.*, Priority C.Pl.*,Starw. Pl.*, Hyatt Pl.*
Posts: 6
According to my experience.
AMS great airport, nice service and good connections but KLM terrible flight confort.
CDG is a big airport but howful connections,unpleasent and rude staff (if you are not French).AF good flight, good value for money but not the best as confort.
FCO is a small and chaotic airport, not well organized. AZ...forget it.Seriously consider some alternative options.
My suggestion:avoid Sky Team for your flight
AMS great airport, nice service and good connections but KLM terrible flight confort.
CDG is a big airport but howful connections,unpleasent and rude staff (if you are not French).AF good flight, good value for money but not the best as confort.
FCO is a small and chaotic airport, not well organized. AZ...forget it.Seriously consider some alternative options.
My suggestion:avoid Sky Team for your flight
Apr 23, 2011, 5:31 am
#42
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Delhi
Programs: Emirates gold *alliance silver jet airways platinum tridentprivilege gold.
Posts: 1,817
Apr 23, 2011, 8:46 am
#43
Join Date: May 2007
Location: TX, FL
Programs: AA Gold, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 186
Not in a million years would I fly Alitalia cross the Atlantic. Nevermind the headaches in dealing with the "customer service" prior to departure - Rome FCO is absolutely terrible. Although ... CDG is none the better.
What about KLM? It has been a very long time since I've flown with them, but AMS isn't bad.
What about KLM? It has been a very long time since I've flown with them, but AMS isn't bad.
Had to fly Delta coming back...stark difference.....
Apr 23, 2011, 8:52 am
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
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It seems it bears repeating here that AF and KL are just fine, except for the slanted seats. CDG has some issues for transit, but it is great for trips departing or terminating in Paris. AMS is great, except for some extremely long walks and occasional massive immigrations lines. AZ is the BEST when it comes to the fully flat seat. That for many businesspeople is the most important thing. AZ may have ground issues, but at least you can sleep on your flight. Unlike AF and KL for most of us.
Apr 23, 2011, 2:46 pm
#45
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Italy
Programs: ITA Executive for life; AZ CFP "per sempre" (ST E+); LH SEN; BA Bronze
Posts: 1,948
In the eating department (which, to me, is quite important, because with some types of airline food I feel awful the day after flying) AZ is also ahead of AF (but I have only 1 experience on AF in business, so YMMV), and surely WAY ahead than KLM (while in Y for instance I have eaten better on both AF and KL than on AZ).