To finish off the first portion of my four flights across the Atlantic, I flew ITA Airways’ Airbus A320 business class from Rome to Cairo. While the transatlantic ITA Airways A350 flight really impressed me, this flight was a bit less favorable. Now, admittedly short haul flights from Europe are consistently nothing to get excited…
Continue reading: Review: ITA Airways Business Class A320 (FCO-CAI)
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I flew Alitalia short haul business class a while back (well, I guess almost a decade ago now), and it's funny because the #1 thing I remember from that flight is how aggressively the business class FA kept economy passengers out of the forward lavatory, which was nearly a full-time job of constantly chasing off people coming up (through an aisle curtain, in those days) to use it. So, I guess that one way that ITA is no longer Alitalia.
Wine in a paper cup? I would feel like a kid sneaking a drink! The Italian way should at least be a jelly jar
Glad to see the seat was comfortable. Slim line seats are an abomination. Beyond uncomfortable: they make my seat hurt!
“Take a shot every time Ben mentions he doesn't eat pork.”
And YOUR issue with that is what? Quite frankly, I am very surprised that ITA would serve any pork product on a flight to CAI given that observant Muslims don't eat pork.
Our best narrow-body intra-Europe biz flight was HEL-LHR on a Finnair A321, in 2019. There were six rows of biz and every seat was taken, but the two crew working the front were very, very senior and you could tell they'd been to this BBQ before.
The flight back was the morning A350 service, which of course was like another world.
Honestly European Business Class is pointless and one of the greatest scams ever. Basically offering people what used to be the norm in economy now in business with an empty middle seat. I honestly have no idea why people waste miles and effort trying to fly it - it really isn't worth it and the food isn't that good to justify the massive premiums charged.
I agree, it's a total scam. And the same smug Euro's who ridicule how we Americans refer to domestic business as "First Class" will turn around and offer up a garbage faux "business class" product that would be lackluster as an economy offering between Cleveland and St. Louis.
In many areas you almost complain about how simple this flight was but you summarize to say that it was okay. It's a normal inter-European flight. Nothing more, nothing less. Almost seems you were expecting much more.
I fly a lot of intra-EU business, and I do agree that it's a joke compared to business class within the US, Asia, etc., but it's often reasonably priced and I do consider it to be worth it. Why? A. Bulkhead seating (and free seating). B. Good carry-on baggage allowance. C. No one next to you (which does make a HUGE difference). D. Easy way to earn more miles. If you're not an elite member it also provides you with free lounge access, priority queues, etc, which is a significant perk. That said, if you have the option and prioritize the onboard experience, you should go out of your way to fly with Turkish, since they (mostly) offer a really good intra-EU business with comfy seats and amazing legroom.
Hi Lucky,
Late post, but I’m grateful for this review since I can’t find hardly any reviews of this aircraft with ITA! I’m flying from CAI to SFO on ITA. Found J fares for <$1400/person!