In 12 hours I'll be flying coach with Mrs H from FCO-JFK on Delta. We are both DL PM (and hence ST Elite+). We have to take an early shuttle so will have time to kill at FCO.

It is my understanding that we will have access to either AF or AZ lounges at FCO due to our ST E+ status and Delta flights. We also each have Amex Plat cards and I have Priority Pass, but I don't imagine they will be needed or helpful.

Any suggestions about what the best lounge is - especially if you know what terminal or area our flight is likely to be leaving from?

Any other tips on FCO airport would be great - I've never been there before.

P.S. I just found the list of lounges I can access so I'm pasting them here ... looks like one AF and five AZ:

Air France:
Airside - 4th floor Showers

Alitalia:
Domestic Departure, Terminal A, before police control barrier

International / Schengen Boarding Area only Terminal B, after police control barrier Showers

International Departures, Terminal C, before police control barrier Showers

Satellite Terminal C, extra- Schengen departures

Next to gate area Flight Care

I'm afraid this list is outdated as AF doesn't have anymore it's own lounge at FCO for about 2 years (?). All AZ lounges which are all crap.

The AZ lounge in the basement of the satellite terminal for non-Schengen flights is nice and roomy and wasn't even close to crowded when I was there. Food doesn't compare to LHR T4 or Asian lounges, but it's still several steps up from SkyClubs. Basically, OP is going to have a single option, based on where his flight departs, so make use of the lounge you can. There is a PP lounge at FCO as well, but the AZ lounge is much better.

Here is the listing of current AZ ST E+ lounges at FCO:

Bramante Terminal 1, departure area (before security)
Giotto Boarding area G
Borromini Boarding area D
Canova Terminal 3, departure area (before security)
Le Navi Boarding area H

It depends what services you deem important. Lounges tend to be quiet, lots of seating...but food options are just ok. Wi-Fi is passable, but one has to navigate thru the AZ red tape...don't expect the lounge dragons to assist you in this matter.

It's better to be in the lounge than general boarding area, that's for sure, but FCO's options are just adequate.

Since you're flying intercontinental, I would suggest the Giotto lounge in the "G" boarding area. It can crowd up during busy AM departures times to the US.

I'd like to ask for reports of any recent experience with this topic. The SkyTeam website 'Lounge Finder' page lists three lounges at FCO, two Schengen and the third obviously non-Schengen. Of the two for intra-Europe, for the Plaza Premium it says 'travelling on Air France or KLM' while for the Hangar Lounge it says 'travelling on ITA, AirEuropa or SAS'. Are these distinctions enforced? I'll be flying on KLM but I have Volare Executive (ST E+). TIA

Yes. ITA will not let you into their Hangar lounge with an AF/KLM ticket.

I confirm.