Featured Image: An Alitalia Airbus A320 in Amsterdam

The Facts:

Analysis:

Travel Classes:

Economy Class (Short Haul)

Alitalia uses the A320 series (A319, A320, A321) and the Embraer E175/E195 (via Alitalia City Liner) for short haul flights. On the A320 series, economy is in a 3-3 configuration while on Embraer aircraft, economy is in a 2-2 configuration.There is no form of inflight entertainment (like personal on demand or personal device entertainment) or wifi available on narrow body aircraft. On flights less than three hours, passengers only receive a light snack while on flights greater than three hours, passengers receive free meals such as a sandwich. Full fare economy class passengers (not booked with a Lite fare) are able to check one 23 kilogram bag (50 lb) and take one personal item on board. Economy class passengers are also able to bid for an upgrade to a premium cabin via Alitalia’s website.

Business Class (Short Haul)

Short haul business class is featured on all narrow body aircraft and is in a 3-3 configuration on the A320 series (with the middle seat blocked) and is in a 2-2 configuration on Embraer Aircraft. It literally features the same exact seat as in economy, just with the middle seat blocked (on the A320). Passengers have access to Alitalia and SkyTeam lounges and to priority check in. On longer flights, passengers get access to a full warm meal. Passengers can also check two 23 kilogram (50 lb) bags and take one personal item on board. As I always say with most European Airlines, I do not recommend you flying business class as it features the same seat as in economy! Yes, you do get better service, food, and lounge access, but is that really worth it for a much higher price for the seat on board. I say definitely not as you don’t even get a slightly better seat!

Economy Class (Long Haul)

Long haul economy class is in a 3-4-3 configuration on all Boeing 777s and is in a 2-4-2 configuration on all Airbus A330s. On all long haul aircraft, personal on demand entertainment is available at all seats and wifi along with live TV is available for purchase. Two warm meals are available to all economy class passengers on all flights. Blankets and pillows are given out to economy passengers on long haul flights.

Premium Economy (Long Haul)

Premium economy on Alitalia is featured on all 777s and A330s and is either in a 2-4-2 configuration (777) or in a 2-3-2 configuration (A330). It features recliner seats with leg rests, foot rests, more recline than in economy, and head rests. Passengers have access to priority check in, early boarding, two 23 kg (50 lb) bags, better meals than in economy, blankets, and pillows. So would I say that it is worth it? On a random one way flight from JFK to Rome, premium economy costs around $3,500 while economy costs around $590. That is almost 6 times more expensive than economy for slightly better seats and service! For that much more money, I would personally say that you should either stick to economy or bid for an upgrade to premium economy with miles or money when it gets closer to your flight.

Magnifica (Long Haul Business Class)

Magnifica business class is featured on all A330s and 777s and is in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration with fully flat seats on both planes. The seat is very similar to the seats found on Iberia, the Emirates A380, Hong Kong Airlines, China Southern Airlines, and Etihad. I would say that the seat is pretty good for business class (compared to Lufthansa or the United 777-200), although it’s definitely not revolutionary. Passengers have access to the Alitalia Casa Lounges and to partner Skyteam lounges. In addition to premium blankets and pillows, passengers also get an amenity kit with eye masks, toothbrushes/toothpaste, body lotion, and other items. As always, passengers receive meals better than the ones found in economy. The prices are pretty steep, as it costs almost $8,000 one way from New York to Rome. Therefore, as I always recommend: don’t waste your money – wait for a deal, or wait until the last  minute to attempt an upgrade with either miles or money.

Future/Recently Commenced Routes:

Rome Fiumicino to Mauritius – Begins October 28, 2018 – Seasonal Service

Milan Malpensa – Male – Begins November 1, 2018 – Seasonal Service

Milan Linate – Geneva – Begins September 3, 2018

Bankruptcy:

In 2014, Etihad Airways took a large stake (although not majority) in Alitalia in hopes that they could turn an unprofitable airline profitable. Even at that time, Alitalia wasn’t super financially stable. Etihad poured a lot of money into Alitalia in hopes that they could make Alitalia stable and eventually create Etihad some profit. Etihad’s plan failed miserably – Alitalia did not ever turn profitable. In 2017, Alitalia filed for bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy is actually not a new thing for Alitalia – in 2008 they went bankrupt, got bailed out by the Italian Government, and went through a massive restructuring. It seems that no one can ever make Alitalia profitable. What is causing Alitalia’s unprofitability? It may be higher prices than airlines such as Lufthansa or maybe just bad management; there is not solid answer.

Etihad has cut funds to Alitalia since they are so unprofitable now.The only way that Alitalia has been barely staying alive is the Italian Government – throughout their latest bankruptcy, they have been giving them loans so that Italy will not lose their national airline. Enter Air Italy. Qatar Airways recently bought Meridiana (a former small Italian airline) and rebranded it into Air Italy. Qatar Airways is buying them at least twenty 737 MAXs and thirty 787s in the hopes to turn them into the national Italian airline. The Italian Government hates the idea to think that Italy’s new national airline will be run by Qatar. The Italian Government recently announced that they want to buy back 51% of Alitalia to try and save them.

Do I think that Alitalia will die? Probably not. They have dealt with bankruptcy multiple times, and I don’t think that the Italian Government will ever let themselves lose Alitalia. However, there is a very real chance that Alitalia won’t be able to successfully restructure and will get the same fate as Air Berlin. And Qatar will be happy as they will own the new national airline of Italy. Only time can tell the fate of Alitalia.

Have you ever flown on Alitalia? Share about your experience below!