I have a business class award ticket to Europe for July. The only way to get it was thorugh connections with KLM, Alitalia & Air France.

Alitalia refuses to give me seats until I am at the gate. My first flight with them is from AMS to FCO. I will be arriving at AMS about an hour before that flight. It's an airport I've never been to and I'm a bit nervous about finding the gate (with a different airline) and actually having a business class seat waiting.

Delta told me that I have to do the seating through Alitalia. The seats on KLM and Air France were no problem. Has anyone ever dealt with this before? Any ideas?

Thanks,
Marcia

Hi Marcia, you do not say from where you are flying, but this should not make any difference anyway. I am sure there are far more experienced users of AMS that will be able to give more details, but here's what I can offer.

Firstly, most intra-european flight are operated on a 'seats at check-in' basis. However, KLM may be able to give you the Alitaia boarding pass at your departure city.

Secondly, Amsterdam Schiphol is, in my opinion, a very easy airport to get around, as it is a 1 terminal system. The gates are arranged in spurs from the main terminal so don't expect to be walking for more than 10-15 minutes. Your bags should be checked through to FCO, and therefore there is no customs to clear in AMS. You will not have immigration until FCO either, although there will almost certainly be some sort of passport check in AMS.

Thanks, that makes me feel a little better. I am traveling with carryon (bringing some folded duffels for on the way back) so I won't have to worry about luggage. My origin is JFK. Maybe KLM will be able to give my the Alitalia seat and then I won't have to worry.

Marcia

They should be able to give you your boarding passes to FCO in JFK. 1h is enough for AMS, but you will have to clear immigration! and an additional security check. Don't worry, even if you miss your flight, they will rebook you. The transatlantic flight are usually early anyway.

I don't even want to think about the possibility of missing my flight. My whole trip is very tight with the business not flexible so missing the flight means missing a day in Rome for ME!

I would NEVER plan a trip with an important meeting w/o at least 2h buffer, I actually prefer 6h. So many things can go wrong and a little delay is always possible. IMO, you are playing a game here, if you cannot take a 2h delay.

No, you are misunderstanding. I have four days before the business. I didn't want to cut into my (only) four days of r&r! And 2hours would not be a big deal, I thought I would be given a new flight the next day if I missed it.

there are quite a number of AMS-FCO flights every day, at least 5 non-stop KL flights plus non-stop AZ flights and connecting flights via CDG. 1h is usually enough in AMS, even with clearing immigration. If worse comes to worse, you are looking at a 3h delay.