Hello from Cairo! I’m now well into my quick detour to Africa, and flew ITA Airways’ Airbus A321neo business class on the 2hr50min flight from Rome (FCO) to Cairo (CAI). Honestly, I’m kind of speechless about this flight, and this might rank in my top five flights ever, in terms of having my expectations exceeded.
ITA Airways’ A321neo business class is unbelievably good, including both the hard and soft product. I don’t think I’ve ever received this level service in business class on a flight this short, even on Gulf carriers or Asian carriers. I actually think I might prefer ITA’s A321neo to the wide body jets in the fleet, including the A330-900neo and A350-900 (both of which I very much enjoy as well).
While I’ll have a full trip report soon, I wanted to share some initial thoughts in this post. If you have the chance, FLY ITA AIRWAYS ON THIS JET IN BUSINESS CLASS. And do it before Lufthansa Group takes over, because this level of product investment runs counter to everything that Lufthansa stands for.
Gosh, I can’t really believe how much I consumed on this flight, but it was worth every last calorie. I’ll be spending the next week on the elliptical, happily working this off, thinking back fondly on my flight.
In this post:
ITA Airways’ A321neo cabin is stunningly gorgeous
ITA Airways has a fascinating fleet of Airbus A321neos, which are in an ultra premium configuration. These might just be the snazziest narrow body aircraft in commercial service (well, perhaps aside from all-business class operators, like La Compagnie and Beond).
ITA primarily uses these aircraft for flights to the Middle East and Africa, and what a treat they are! Interestingly, they’re not even in the long range version of the aircraft.
First there’s a business class cabin with 12 seats, spread across six rows, in a 1-1 configuration. How nice is it that ITA chose reverse herringbone seats (facing the windows), rather than herringbone seats (facing the aisle), which many airlines are choosing for the A321 family?!
Seriously, look at how spacious these seats are, as the footwells are huge, much bigger than you’ll find in many reverse herringbone seats on wide body aircraft.
It gets even better than that. In the front row, ITA Airways has a business class “plus” product, which I decided to reserve for an extra €99. Obviously the other seats were also very comfortable, but I couldn’t help but give this product a try.
Even beyond the spaciousness, this is such a well designed seat, with enclosed storage, AC, USB-A, and USB-C charging, and more.
There’s of course seat back entertainment, with an extensive selection of movies and TV shows, and there’s even bluetooth audio. While there’s supposed to be a map feature, it wasn’t working on this flight, and I’ve seen similar reports in the past.
There was also Wi-Fi, though it’s on the slow side — perhaps that’s the only weak point of the experience.
Well done, ITA Airways! I think this is my favorite narrow body business class seat yet! And that says nothing of the beautiful premium economy cabin…
ITA Airways’ business class catering is on another level
Perhaps the only thing more amazing than the hard product on this flight was the soft product. Let me remind you that I was taking a 2hr50min flight departing in the afternoon. What was the meal service like? There was a menu and wine list offered upon boarding.
There was sparkling wine available pre-departure, in proper glassware.
After takeoff, a round of drinks was served with almonds, cashews, and dried fruit. I decided to order an aperol spritz, because when in Italy…
Then there was a choice of two appetizers, and I selected the cod, cabbage, and almonds, with Sicilian broccoli florets, purple cauliflower, broccoli, and olives, which was scrumptious. There was an extensive wine list, so I also switched to a sauvignon blanc.
This is Italy, so next up was the pasta course, consisting of tomato maccheroncelli in basil sauce with sweet yellow and red Datterini tomatoes, and San Marzano tomatoes.
I chose the vegetarian mushroom goulash and “canederli,” comprised of sautéed mushrooms cooked with onion, parsley, and garlic, with pan-fried bread dumplings
Next up was a cheese course, with a selection of three cheeses. I complemented that with some Passito (Italian dessert wine), because I figured I had to try everything — I’m all-in, ITA!
Last but not least was dessert, a buckwheat sablé with Verbena-infused panna cotta and berry coulis. I had a cappuccino to accompany this.
CAN I REMIND EVERYONE THAT THIS WAS A 2HR50MIN FLIGHT?!?! Every course was exceptional — I spent about half of the flight eating, and the other half of the flight wondering how this was actually real, on a flight of this length.
For those curious, what seems to be going on here is that ITA has a similar meal service on all of its Africa and Middle East flights, and Cairo just happens to be about half the length of many other routes.
ITA Airways’ amenities exceeded my expectations
It wasn’t just that the food was to the level you’d expect on a long haul flight, but so were the amenities. There was a full set of bedding, including a proper pillow and blanket.
There was also an amenity kit, stocked with all the essentials.
Last but not least, there were some flimsy slippers.
ITA Airways’ flight attendants are so lovely
In my experience, ITA Airways has some of the best flight attendants in Europe, and this flight was no exception. There were two ladies working business class — they were engaging, friendly, and detail oriented. The service was every bit as good as the seats and the food, and that’s saying something. With only seven of the 12 seats taken, service was incredibly attentive, and it felt more like first class than business class.
Flight attendants at ITA clearly seem to take pride in their jobs, and that’s nice to see. Frankly I find ITA to be much better than Alitalia back in the day.
Bottom line
ITA Airways’ A321neo business class is phenomenal, and it was especially a treat on this short 2hr50min flight. This experience didn’t just blow away what you’d get on other European carriers, but this is honestly a better experience than you’ll find on most Gulf and Asian carriers.
This combination of hard and soft product in business class is certainly unrivaled in Europe, and maybe even unrivaled globally. This also reinforces what a high quality airline ITA Airways is. If you ask me, it’s one of Europe’s two best airlines, along with Air France.
If you have the chance, I can’t recommend the ITA A321neo experience enough, especially before Lufthansa Group’s Carsten Spohr gets his hands on the airline, and finds some “synergies.”
Can you believe how good ITA Airways’ A321neo business class is?!?!
Ben, I think it's time for you to create "ITA Airways" category.
What a refreshingly positive review, Ben! I do love how effusive you are with praise wherever it is deserved. There is a certain child like excitement that one feels when they read a review written like this. I'm now committed to fly ITA whenever I get a chance and I'm sure you'll deserve all my gratitude for a wonderful experience!
Ben,
Do you think ITA makes a profit per business class seat on that flight? I'm just wondering if companies level-down their soft product to save money, or do you think catering doesn't really affect business class bottom line?
great for single travellers but I wouldn't take my family on business class here. For a family with kids travelling in business this configuration is not ideal. I prefer a business class which combines business friendly seats for families and seats in a 1-1 configuration for individuals travelling alone.
It's a DieTeam airline on an Airpus. Someone slipped Ben some hallucinogens in the pre-flight beverage.
You realize that ITA is slated to join your beloved Star Alliance, yet here you are trashing them because you are unable to objectively analyze anything.
Regarding herringbone versus reverse herringbone, I understand reverse herringbone faces the window, but isn’t your head so far from the window that it’s hard to get good views?
Seems like herringbone is better for views. Yes you’re facing away from the window, but at least you’re next to the cabin wall.
Think which would be easier if you wanted to take a photo out the window. Turning your head or leaning up towards your feet.
ITA has found an answer to Italy’s supposed inferior southern geography for medium haul flights. Give them an incredible business product to compete with Gulf and African carriers. Go ITA!
I just flew ITA buisness class to Rome. Service was slow, flight attendents not as warm and fuzzy as other buisness class airlines I have been on and food was not great. Simply, not absolutely amazing!
Bravo. It looks very nice, however a cappuccino after pasta, goulash and cheese ! Che schifo
I wonder why service is so much better now if many of the staff are ex Alitalia. Did ITA just keep the best of the Alitalia work force?
Are there multiple versions of ita 321neo? Ie could you get a less desirable product than this review of a321neo?
We TOOK ITA from Toronto to Rome. Excellent service, great food, friendly staff.
Wow, finally! I wish all flights longer than three hours would have such seats, in Europe and in the US.
Turkish airlines sometimes flies wide-body aircraft on short-haul flights within Europe, but this narrow-body plane really makes a difference.
I don't think there is any chance within LH group to introduce something like this, unfortunately :-(
This is the only acceptable narrowbody longhaul business seat so far.
What ConcordeKid and MortalSynn endorse as a superior product to A350 business class is just a crap.
Herringbone seat in 2024 is innovative? Even forward-facing seats on TK A330s are better.
Good job ITA, and shame on Iberia.
The interior looks high end Italian designed, but doubt it will age well. All the white used will get dirty and worn quickly. Let's see the interior in a few years. Any new plane interior is going to look great.
This seems nice, also their lounge in Rome has nice cocktails... but unfortunately ITA is not profitable by design, so hardly an example to follow... when you think about it your flight was subsidized by the italian taxpayers. This money could have helped the people in a much better way.
How dare you write a review about an airline that turned down Skyteam. #Delta
This is way better than domestic "first class" in the US. Transcons and Hawaii flights are often twice as long and those recliners do not cut it.
ITA's premium economy on A321neos is what Qantas calls business class on their A321XLR.
Great review and delicious-looking menu choices.
Only suggestion: When in Italy, don't order any cappuccino or other coffee with milk except in the morning. Otherwise, you will be considered an uncultured American.
1. Nobody cares John.
2. Lucky already knows about this dumb “rule” you probably learned on IG or TikTok.
3. I’ll drink what I want to drink in Italy when I want to drink it, and who cares what some barista thinks.
4. “Uncultured” is incredibly xenophobic and otherizing of white Americans. Do better.
@Sel, D.
The amount of effort to share your disdain is proportional to your anger management... I presume this response saved the dog from being kicked.
Pompous a*holes making a statement like this are the very reason I'm embarrassed for Americans when they leave their homes.
I am not American scum. I don't consume IG, TikTok, or podcasts.
Your reply confirms all of European's stereotypes.
Damn! I flew ITA last week FCO > CDG and it was listed as this exact aircraft until about 16 hours prior to departure. And I bid for a J upgrade. Our equipment swap delivered a lovely old and worn out A320... almost as ratty as the old BA ones, gawd! Super tight seating, uncomfortable seat cushions, aggressive & rowdy pax, dismissive crew and the list goes on. I love flying but this is one...
Damn! I flew ITA last week FCO > CDG and it was listed as this exact aircraft until about 16 hours prior to departure. And I bid for a J upgrade. Our equipment swap delivered a lovely old and worn out A320... almost as ratty as the old BA ones, gawd! Super tight seating, uncomfortable seat cushions, aggressive & rowdy pax, dismissive crew and the list goes on. I love flying but this is one of those flights I hated. My spouse is cabin crew and he agreed with me. Unfortunately this was my first ITA flight ever. Actually, I much prefer Aegean J class for short hauls.
Well, sour grapes from me but this does, indeed, look like a great flight. You win some, you lose some ♂️
Welcome to Italy! By far my favorite destination in the world.
Flew AA from Belize to Miami in J months ago. All we received were drinks and that ridiculous snack basket. Flight left Belize mid afternoon and its length was around 2:30 hours. There was no turbulence.
Typical AA !
People really don’t use “scrumptious” as much as they should.
Indubitably !
Are you listening, Lufthansa?
It really isn’t that hard in terms of a vision, cost, seat sourcing, catering and appropriately chosen, trained and supervised staff to make for delighted customers.
You are falling far behind.
Unfortunately, executives that are not visionary and customer-focused will never be able to balance these things. They only know how to lead via P&L and benchmark costs across their various brands to hit whatever metrics they need from a shareholder perspective.
This leads to an oversimplified mentality where they just look at line items like catering - say it's too expensive, and then independently gut that spend line without much thought to the 'intangible'...
Unfortunately, executives that are not visionary and customer-focused will never be able to balance these things. They only know how to lead via P&L and benchmark costs across their various brands to hit whatever metrics they need from a shareholder perspective.
This leads to an oversimplified mentality where they just look at line items like catering - say it's too expensive, and then independently gut that spend line without much thought to the 'intangible' brand impact.
Now, I will say you can cut costs to a certain level and still maintain bookings given overall network, alliance loyalty, etc. but I don't think most executives like this ever look too much into the balance or tradeoffs between destroying brand premium and the impact on booking behavior. I suspect in some cases it's very much not worth the tradeoff (people will book a sub-par product) but in some cases it does make a difference.
I really hope the LH takeover of ITA does not fall through, ITA is one of the few reasons I fly SkyTeam.
While this is clearly a great product, perhaps it's an example of why ITA had to be sold-off. Maybe it isn't the smartest business move. It seems to be nicer than what any of the US-flagged airlines offer on their transcontinental flights between New York and Los Angeles or San Francisco. Certainly, it's way, way better than Delta One domestic. It might even be better than Delta One international.
How much was the airfare? I...
While this is clearly a great product, perhaps it's an example of why ITA had to be sold-off. Maybe it isn't the smartest business move. It seems to be nicer than what any of the US-flagged airlines offer on their transcontinental flights between New York and Los Angeles or San Francisco. Certainly, it's way, way better than Delta One domestic. It might even be better than Delta One international.
How much was the airfare? I imagine at least 500 euros. I wonder who is flying Cairo to Rome in business. The premium-economy looks more than adequate for that route.
Yes, PE is more than adequate on that route. However, ITA seems to charge just a little more for J compared to PE, to the point it becomes a no-brainer to upgrade to J if only flying between CAI and Europe. For example, CAI-FCO is $331 in PE, and $389 in J. I've seen price differences as low as $7 between these two cabins on this route since ITA started flying their A321neo to CAI....
Yes, PE is more than adequate on that route. However, ITA seems to charge just a little more for J compared to PE, to the point it becomes a no-brainer to upgrade to J if only flying between CAI and Europe. For example, CAI-FCO is $331 in PE, and $389 in J. I've seen price differences as low as $7 between these two cabins on this route since ITA started flying their A321neo to CAI.
Also, most of the people flying J and PE on this route are connecting to ITA's long-haul flights (mostly to North America, some to Asia). As a result, that cabin allows for the airline to offer a similar premium experience on all of their passengers flights who book these itineraries. That gives them a leg up compared to most of their competitors, as most European airlines offer their intra-Europe aircraft and soft product to CAI (the only exception currently is Air France, they fly A350s and occasional 787s to CAI). For someone comparing flight options between CAI and North America, ITA would be the most competitive because they offer a consistent premium experience throughout the journey, and their price point is on the lower end for these itineraries (unlike AF).
$389 is a bargain. I would have expected at least 500 euros. Who in Cairo is flying business-class to Asia or North America? Egypt' economy is a mess. Even tourism has struggled for years.
It's typically $489 USD if flying from Rome to Cairo one-way in J, and in the 500s from Spain, and about $600 USD from Paris to Cairo on ITA. The prices are much cheaper when originating in Cairo. And sorry for the price points being in USD, I typically use Google Flights and living in the US, it's easier to see the prices in the currency I know most.
Actually the ITA last year managed a small profit for the first time which is why it was rather attractive for a takeover. A lot less staff than previously Alitalia and especially a lower cost base.
I truly hope Carsten Spohr will try leave as much untouched or hopefully he won’t last long at LH group.
Wow, a full course meal on a short haul flight??? With a flat bed??? That beats any other carriers around the world, not even some Middle Eastern airlines can beat that!
Stunning for this level and duration of a flight. 170 minutes and the United States can't compete with this level of catering with even higher wages. Mind boggling.
I can't believe this is real. I flew this exact route on a regular ITA's A320 last year and food was nowhere near what I'm seeing here. Does their food offering change with the aircraft they use?
@ Tevi — I flew the same route last year, and as you mention, it was a totally different experience on the A320. Ever since the airline took delivery of A321neos, it also improved the soft product as it looks to grow in the Middle East and Africa. Frankly this almost seems too good to last on the Cairo flight, given the weak product that much of the competition offers, plus the low fares.
It seems ITA upgraded the Cairo route to basically be on par with long haul service levels. That makes them one of the only European airlines offering lie flat seats to Cairo in premium cabins (with the other being Air France as they fly A350/787s to CAI). However, AF charges a premium, while ITA Business Class is typically one of the cheapest options to/from CAI in J (at least to Europe and North America).
I...
It seems ITA upgraded the Cairo route to basically be on par with long haul service levels. That makes them one of the only European airlines offering lie flat seats to Cairo in premium cabins (with the other being Air France as they fly A350/787s to CAI). However, AF charges a premium, while ITA Business Class is typically one of the cheapest options to/from CAI in J (at least to Europe and North America).
I can't imagine that will stick around once LH starts managing things at ITA. I also flew this route 10 months ago and the hard and soft product was the same as an intra-Europe flight.
What are your top five flights ever?
Would Turkish be your third best airline?! If ITA could have lie-flat beds on a narrow-body, I'm sure Turkish could do the same, no?
@ Mike O. — It sure would be nice! Turkish does have a lot of narrow body planes on order, so hopefully the airline introduces a subfleet with flat beds, as the planes increasingly fly longer distances.