Good day from Rome! I simply flew ITA Airways’ Airbus A350-900 enterprise class from Miami, as a part of my present evaluate journey. Whereas I used to be ridiculously excited to fly with Alitalia’s successor, I used to be anticipating to return away from the flight feeling lukewarm at greatest. Effectively, the entire expertise was a really nice shock, with distinctive meals, charming service, considerate facilities, and a aggressive laborious product.
Let me share a couple of highlights, after which I’ll have a full journey report quickly…
ITA A350s have a superb however generic laborious product
ITA Airways managed to amass Airbus A350s with fairly quick discover, because the airline picked up planes that had been imagined to go to China’s Hainan Airways, however which the airline may now not afford.
ITA maintained the identical Collins Aerospace Tremendous Diamond reverse herringbone seats that Hainan Airways was imagined to have. It is a good product that you simply’ll discover on a numerous variety of airways. Is it the most effective enterprise class seat on the market these days? No. Is it aggressive, and an enormous enchancment over ITA’s (errr, Alitalia’s) earlier laborious product? Completely!
It’s fairly humorous how ITA has presumably the world’s best to acknowledge livery (properly, perhaps second most, after Condor’s), but these interiors may actually belong to any airline.
By the way in which, it’s good how ITA’s A350s have Wi-Fi. The speeds aren’t wonderful, however the pricing is affordable, at $25 for your entire flight with no information caps.
ITA’s wonderful enterprise class meal service
I really like the extent to which ITA embraces its Italian roots with its inflight product, and notably with its meal service. On this practically 9 hour flight, an enormous dinner was served after takeoff.
The service started with the selection of an aperitif, so I chosen an aperol spritz (I really like the glassware, by the way in which). The one a part of the meal service I discovered unusual was that this was accompanied by flavorless walnuts. That looks as if an odd pairing to me. Has anybody within the historical past of earth ever mentioned “this is able to pair nice with some walnuts?” I don’t assume so… I digress.
Subsequent up was the selection of two appetizers, and I chosen the prawns with a potato and carrot salad.
Subsequent up was the selection of two pasta dishes as a primi, and I chosen the orecchiette pasta with broccoli sauce. Yum.
Then there was the selection of two secondis, and I selected the “sanremese” fashion fish steak with zucchini, potatoes, and buttered spinach. This was additionally superb.
Subsequent up was a cheese course, and in contrast to on so many airways, the choice didn’t seem to be it was curated from Lunchables.
Lastly there was a small choice of truffles.
What an unimaginable meal! It’s particularly spectacular when you think about this was catered at an outstation. I think about the meals is even higher when departing Italy.
ITA’s connection to Italy goes past the meals, because the airline additionally companions with Italian model Salvatore Ferragamo for its amenity kits.
My ITA flight had pleasant, real service
I used to be curious to see what service could be like on this flight. So far as I may inform, the crews had the outdated Alitalia uniforms on, and if I needed to guess, I’d say that they had all labored at Alitalia earlier than. This was a really senior and skilled crew, they usually had been incredible.
They really appeared to get pleasure from their jobs, they usually truly understood service movement in premium cabins which was so refreshing, after current flights on Gulf Air and Bamboo Airways). They accomplished that whole meal service inside two hours of takeoff, at all times stored glasses topped off, proactively changed cutlery, and cleared plates as they had been completed.
This isn’t Singapore Airways, the place you’re continuously addressed by title, and repair is extraordinarily constant. Quite these women actually appeared to get pleasure from their jobs, they usually carried out their duties professionally.
Better of all, they did all of it in a captivating Italian means. For instance, earlier than the flight I requested if the airplane had working Wi-Fi. The crew member’s response? “I suppose… I hope.” Hah, there was simply one thing concerning the enjoyable and casual means they communicated that introduced a smile to my face.
I additionally nonetheless felt Etihad’s affect with ITA’s service movement (be mindful Etihad had bought a stake in Alitalia, after which bailed, resulting in Alitalia’s demise). For instance, I really like how all of the meals is served instantly onto the tray, how dishes are plated, and so forth.
Backside line
ITA Airways exceeded my expectations. The A350-900 felt new and fashionable, although wasn’t something notably outstanding, as you’ll discover a comparable product on many different airways.
What impressed me most was the meals, which I’d say might be the most effective catering you’ll discover in transatlantic enterprise class, together with Turkish Airways. I really like how every thing concerning the service is Italian, from a pre-dinner aperol spritz, to an after dinner limoncello.
On prime of that, the crew was pleasant and skilled, and the facilities had been fairly good. I’ll have a full evaluate quickly, the place I’ll cowl every thing in additional element.
It’s only a disgrace that whereas ITA Airways is in SkyTeam, as of now there are not any reciprocal mileage redemption alternatives. With Lufthansa Group allegedly nearing a possible takeover of the airline, perhaps ITA flights shall be bookable with Star Alliance miles quickly sufficient… we are able to hope.
Anybody else impressed by ITA Airways’ enterprise class?
