Transfer in Rome

It’s just coming up to seven in the morning when the bus comes to a stop in front of non-Schengen arrivals and ejects its passengers.

I head one floor up to security. There is no separate fast track, but the queue moves quickly despite all the passengers queuing. Next, I make my way to immigration, which is quick and efficient. And then I’m back in the Schengen area.

The ITA Airways Hangar Lounge

The Schengen lounge is located on the mezzanine level of the airside concourse, which is also where there is an enormous food court that looks very appealing, with some delectable looking food on display to entice the weary traveller.

The lounge is hip and trendy in that stylish way only the Italians can ever pull off. I get the feeling that I am seeing a version of ITA Airways that probably won’t be around for much longer, once Lufthansa takes over. I also suspect that the newly forged ties between ITA Airways and the Lufthansa group will likely not end well. It’s not even a question of there being different cultures. It’s more a case of two worlds colliding. But we will see.

The centerpiece of the lounge is the buffet bar with its elegant display of red Campari bottles.

On the far side, they have set up the buffet with the food, showcasing some of Italy’s finest breakfast pastries. On the other side, there is a fully stocked bar, where two rather grumpy looking gentlemen are operating a fancy looking Lavazza machine, making delicious coffees to order.

I think I’m in heaven.

Boarding

Boarding for my 08h30 departure starts at 08h00 with a call for Business Class passengers. I already noticed on the way to Tirana that at least in Rome, they strictly enforce priority boarding.

The Cabin & Seat

This aircraft has yet another cabin design. It looks rather nice and fresh. The seats are two toned in blue and cream leather. And the seat pitch on row 1 is very generous.

The headrests have foldable ears and are adjustable in height.

There are five rows of seats in the Business Class cabin. However, only seven of twenty seats are occupied.

The Crew & Service

The cabin crew is composed of four gentlemen, of which three look quite senior. They’re friendly and their interaction with the passengers is kind and accommodating. While we’re on the ground waiting for boarding to finish, the crew offer a choice of still or sparkling water.

We push back and then slowly make our way in the queue to the threshold of runway 27. I just love the weird and quirky noises the NEO’s LEAP engines make, especially during the startup.

The Meal – Breakfast

The flight time is ninety minutes. On this flight, the meal consists of a small frittata and a cornetto filled with apricot jam, both of which are served warm.

The fruit are fresh this time. I’m guessing they were tinned on the previous flight because the aircraft did a nightstop in Tirana, with the food for the flight back to Rome being catered from Rome.

There’s also another Actimel.

Arrival in Zürich

We break through the cloud as we descend, and the contrast to Rome could not be any bigger. The flat, dry landscape has made way to lush green, rolling hills. It’s also grey and very humid.

We pull onto our stand at the A pier just a few minutes behind schedule. I disembark and make my way down to the railway station. It’s good to be back. It’s amazing how much quieter Switzerland is from the chaotic bustle of Tirana.

Conclusion

So, about ITA Airways: they were not what I was expecting. Neither was Rome airport. First, I think the crew were consistent in their service delivery. They all were customer oriented and friendly in their interactions. That was the first surprise, mainly based on my previous experiences with the old Alitalia.

The catering on all flights was very good, both in terms of quality and quantity. You don’t go hungry in ITA Business Class. The only thing that was missing were disinfectant towels. I always carry a spray with me anyway when I travel, but I still think that is something the airline should provide.