Hey from Rome! I’m simply kicking off my fast detour to Africa, and flew ITA Airways’ Airbus A320neo enterprise class on the 1hr35min flight from Paris (CDG) to Rome (FCO). I’m an enormous fan of ITA Airways typically, and have drastically loved the Airbus A330-900neo and Airbus A350-900 enterprise class expertise.
So, how does the service’s brief haul product examine, on flights between Italy and neighboring nations? Effectively, not very favorably, I have to say. And it additionally looks like there’s fairly a little bit of variance, even throughout the service’s A320neo fleet. Even so, I can’t assist however take pleasure in flying with ITA, as I discover the workers to constantly be extra participating and charming than counterparts at different European carriers.
Whereas I’ll have a full journey report quickly, I wished to share some preliminary ideas on the expertise…
ITA Airways’ A320neo enterprise class cabin is tremendous fundamental
Intra-Europe enterprise class is never something to get enthusiastic about, because the arduous product is simply economic system with a blocked center seat. This was no exception, although provided that I used to be on a lower than two-year-old A320neo, the cabin was a minimum of fashionable, with fairly temper lighting, and huge overhead bins (although that temper lighting positive makes taking photos difficult).
Legroom wasn’t nice, not that I used to be anticipating it to be.
The tray tables have been even smaller than traditional.
However right here’s what stunned me most — regardless of this being a reasonably new jet, there have been no energy shops onboard, and no Wi-Fi. Primarily based on a few of the different opinions I’ve learn of the product, it appears different A320neos do have these facilities, so I suppose the fleet is cut up.
It’s wonderful how frequent this type of inconsistency has turn out to be, even on new plane. I’m unsure if it’s attributable to provide chain points with seat suppliers, or that the airplane was initially supposed for one more airline. However it’s so unusual how often airways not even have consistency amongst new jets.
For instance, I not too long ago flew GOL’s Boeing 737 MAX 8 premium economic system, solely to not discover the cabin I used to be anticipating. That’s as a result of GOL had picked up the jet from Donghai Airways, and maintained the inside. So anyway, it appears there’s one other model of ITA’s A320neos which might be a bit snazzier, each when it comes to cabin finishes and facilities.
ITA Airways’ enterprise class catering wasn’t nice
Italy is thought for wonderful meals and drinks, and the airline has among the many greatest enterprise class catering on the earth on lengthy haul flights. Nonetheless, on brief haul flights it’s a unique story, and it’s a criticism I’ve heard from others as effectively.
On this very early morning flight, breakfast consisted of a croissant, some form of a little bit ham roll, a facet of okay fruit, and a little bit packaged fruit smoothie. It wasn’t horrible, however I’d say it was considerably subpar in comparison with what most different European airways serve inside Europe.
Flight attendants went above and past to be hospitable
ITA Airways has some actually phenomenal, participating staff, and this flight was no exception. The cabin supervisor got here round to every enterprise class passenger throughout boarding to introduce himself, and requested about everybody’s travels, encouraging us to let him know if we want something.
Past that, ITA Airways affords pre-departure drinks in enterprise class on brief haul flights. Which different European airways provides you a selection of pre-departure drinks on brief haul flights inside Europe? I can’t consider any (excluding Russian carriers and Turkish Airways).
We had a little bit of an air visitors management delay on departure, so the cabin supervisor got here via the cabin to ask every enterprise class passenger if he may get them one thing else to drink, together with espresso. That’s simply fundamental hospitality, but it surely’s such a pleasant contact you received’t discover on so many different airways.
I can’t depend the variety of instances I’ve had lengthy floor holds on carriers like British Airways and Lufthansa, just for the crew to face within the galley chatting, and never supply passengers something.
There’s simply one thing to be stated about flying with pleasant individuals, and I’ve discovered that it’s an space the place ITA is approach above common.
Backside line
ITA Airways’ brief haul A320neo enterprise class wasn’t fairly nearly as good as I used to be anticipating. Whereas the cabin was fashionable when it comes to temper lighting and bins, there have been no energy shops or Wi-Fi. The meal was additionally actually fundamental, particularly for an airline from a rustic that prides itself in delicacies.
That being stated, the pleasant crew left me with a good impression, because of their kindness and attentiveness, as they made the many of the restricted objects that they needed to work with.
What’s your tackle ITA Airways’ A320neo enterprise class?
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