The new ALITALIA takes off !On time rating for 2011 seems to be very good, between 15 Feb and 15 April 85% of flights departed on time. However, UK travellers should note that from London Heathrow, only around 66% departed as scheduled.
Alitalia has a long past, however, over recent years financial problem’s and vast losses have seen the once global giant consolidate, change and restart.
Our Rating 2.5 stars*
RESERVATIONS and FLIGHT RECONFIRMATIONS
Monday - Friday 8:00 - 22:00 Saturday & Sunday 8:30 - 21:30UK. 08714 24 14 24
USA +1 800-223-5730. Italy. +39 06 2222
*as we have not flown with Alitalia recently, our rating is based on experience with the old Alitalia
There have been many changes, and January 13, 2009 will be remembered in the history of Italian air transport as the date when a new flag airline started operations. On that day, Air One and Alitalia began the process of merging their networks, their fleets and their whole administrative and commercial structure.
Integrating the two airlines and launching the new Alitalia means first and foremost better organization of the network which now has 92 destinations in Italy and around the world with more than 2,200 flights a week based on six airports: Rome Fiumicino, Milan, Turin, Venice, Naples and Catania. This new organisational model ensures rapid links from the Italian provinces to Europe and the rest of the world, as well as covering the whole country with a domestic network of 26 destinations.
Alitalia provides a large number of international and intercontinental flights – for example, the new company flies to 53 destinations in Europe and internationally, with smooth connections for domestic flights. What’s more, the current summer schedule expands the network even further with the opening up of several more destinations in the coming months.
Another of Alitalia’s strengths is the flight schedules which are carefully worked out to meet customers’ needs – for instance, it is often possible to make round-trip flights in one day to the main Italian and European destinations.
The new Italian flag airline also stands out for the major renewal of the fleet which now consists of upgraded aircraft providing better quality flights with less impact on the environment.
The new Alitalia is run by private entrepreneurs who are well versed in quality of service and close attention to customers’ needs. They are fully aware that these elements are essential for companies to succeed and grow. And this is the case with the new Alitalia – passengers are the focal point of the company’s development strategy. Our commitment is to provide top quality ground services and on-board services so that every travel experience has that distinctive touch of Italian style. The new Alitalia is taking off, with the aim of becoming the preferred carrier in Italy and internationally.
The summer network 2011
On 27 March 2011, Alitalia Group’s new summer schedule went into effect and will last until 31 of October 2011. The summer network includes 92 destinations between Italy and the rest of the world with more than 2600 weekly frequencies on 163 routes. Furthermore Alitalia has codeshare agreements with 29 other airlines on 200 world wide destinations.
Extensive coverage of the Domestic Market: 26 domestic destinations directly served and 1723 weekly frequencies to meet internal mobility needs thanks to a wide range of direct service between the main Italian cities towards the rest of Italy.
Efficient coverage of Foreign Markets: 63 international and intercontinental destinations directly reached and 906 weekly frequencies, with easy connections to domestic flights.
Schedules that suit customers needs: Schedules that allow business customers to make return trips in one day from/to the main Italian and European destinations.
Close to your home: a network cantered around seven hubs (Rome, Milan Linate, Milan Malpensa, Turin, Venice, Naples and Catania) that makes travel from the Italian provinces to the rest of the world quick and convenient.
The main updates of the Summer timetable include: • Two new intercontinental routes: Rome - Beijing, operated by Alitalia in code share with China Eastern (from 1 June, 4 weekly flights, from October, 5 flights) and Rome - Rio de Janeiro (from 1 June, 3 weekly flights, from 28 June, 4 flights). With the new Rome - Rio de Janeiro flight, Alitalia will become the number one company in service between Italy and Brazil, with a total offer of 11 weekly flights to Brazil (San Paolo and Rio de Janeiro).
• A new direct flight Rome - Shanghai, operated by China Eastern in code share with Alitalia (starting in the summer, 4 weekly flights) that strengthens Alitalia's presence in the Far East where the company is today the only carrier that operates direct service between Italy and Japan;
• New international service from Rome to Toulouse operated by Alitalia in code share with Air France-Klm (from 28 March);
• New direct flights from Florence to Amsterdam and Catania (starting 27 March), operated by Alitalia with the Airbus A319. The new Florence - Amsterdam route will be served by two flights daily in code share with KLM;
Accidents, incidents and crashes.
(Since the formation of the new Alitalia)
On 15 January 2010, Alitalia Flight 60, a Boeing 767-300ER, damaged its plastic bumper covering on the aircraft's tail skid whilst taking off from New York City's John F Kennedy International Airport. The incident was reported to ATC by Delta Air Lines pilots who then passed the information on to the Alitalia pilots. The Alitalia pilots decided to circle JFK for 1 hour to burn off enough fuel to make a safe emergency landing. The FAA said that the aircraft did not over rotate and that the passengers were never at any risk.
On 17 February 2010, an Alitalia flight from Rome to Cairo, Egypt with 157 passengers, had to make an emergency landing in Cairo after a reported bomb threat. A notable passenger on the flight was Egyptian Tourism Minister Zuheir Garana.
On 15 June 2010, Alitalia Flight 615, an Airbus A330 with 258 passengers, from Boston, USA to Rome was forced to make an emergency landing at Logan Airport after an engine failed shortly after take-off. The incident is still under investigation.
On 24 April 2011 an attempt was made to hijack Alitalia Flight 329, en-route from Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris, France to Fiumicino Airport, Rome and divert it to Tripoli International Airport, Libya. The hijacker, reported to be an advisor to the Kazakhstan delegation to UNESCO, was subdued by cabin crew and other passengers. He was arrested and taken into custody after the aircraft made a safe landing at Rome.
Previously with the old Alitalia there had been 7 major incidents with loss of life, estimated to total 450+ persons since 1954.
