Alitalia/ITA Airways Business Class: What You Need to Know

When Alitalia stopped flying in October 2021, ITA Airways became Italy's new main airline. They retained many of the elements that made Alitalia's business class a memorable experience. The airline introduced modern upgrades while preserving its traditions. The change preserved Alitalia's famous Italian hospitality. It also fixed longtime complaints from Alitalia business class reviews.

Business class on ITA Airways features lie-flat seats, authentic Italian cuisine, and attentive service. Business travelers can arrive feeling refreshed and ready for morning meetings. Leisure travelers enjoy an experience that goes beyond the standard business class. The legacy of Alitalia Airlines' business class endures through ITA's emphasis on Italian culture. You'll notice this from the welcome glass of Prosecco to the espresso served with dessert. Each flight feels like a little taste of Italy itself.

ITA Airlines' business class is both a continuation and an improvement. Flights to Rome, Milan, and other cities attract passengers who seek comfort without overspending. Understanding what ITA Airways' business class is really like involves examining several factors. Seats, service, food, and overall value are key factors when comparing it to other airlines. The airline continually improves its product based on feedback from passengers.

Seat Comfort and Cabin Features

One of the biggest upgrades from the older Alitalia business class seats is the new layout. ITA Airways business class seats on long-haul planes have a 1-2-1 setup on many routes. This design gives every passenger direct access to the aisle. These seats turn into flat beds that are about 79 inches long. That's long enough for most adults on overnight flights across the Atlantic.

Storage spots are on both sides of each seat. Privacy panels between seats can be adjusted for people traveling alone or couples. The seats recline in different positions. This lets you work comfortably on your laptop or enjoy your meal before lying down to sleep. Memory foam cushioning, adjustable back support, and easy-to-use control panels are clear improvements. The design team conducted extensive research on what passengers want.

On shorter European flights, the setup is different. Business class ITA Airways for flights within Europe uses modified economy seats with the middle seats blocked. This setup is standard among European airlines. The seats offer more legroom and are wider than those in economy. The seat pitch is around 38-40 inches. The cabin still offers premium service, even though the seats aren't as luxurious. The crew's attention stays consistent on all types of flights.

Key Seat Features:

• Lie-flat beds on long international flights (79-inch length)

• 1-2-1 setup with direct aisle access

• Adjustable privacy panels and back support

• Multiple storage spots for your personal stuff

• Memory foam cushioning with Italian leather accents

Comparing ITA air business class with Alitalia's older service shows significant improvements. The materials got way better. The technology has improved significantly. The control panels became easier to use. The overall passenger experience got more polished through design changes. Customer feedback drove a lot of these improvements.

Dining and In-Flight Service

Very few airlines can match Italy's natural advantage when it comes to food. ITA Airlines' business class reviews consistently praise the food. Menus change with the seasons and feature dishes created by Italian chefs. These chefs specialize in regional Italian cooking. Risotto alla Milanese from Milan appears on northern routes. Amatriciana from Rome is featured on flights leaving from Rome's Fiumicino Airport. Fresh seafood dishes reflect Italy's long Mediterranean coastline.

The wine list has Italian wines from Tuscany, Piedmont, and Veneto. Flight attendants get training on wine service. They'll suggest pairings if you ask. Beyond wine, they offer Italian spirits and quality espresso. San Pellegrino sparkling water is available throughout the flight. The coffee comes from real espresso machines, not regular coffee makers.

The service style reflects Italian culture, where meals are relaxed and unhurried. The crew takes their time with the service so you can actually enjoy your meal. According to old Alitalia business class reviews and current feedback, people have mixed feelings about this. Some travelers like the relaxed European pace. Others who are used to faster service might think it's too slow. Understanding this cultural difference helps you know what to expect.

Does the meal service match premium Asian or Middle Eastern airlines? Not quite. The focus is pretty different. ITA prioritizes authentic food and high-quality ingredients over elaborate presentations. Portions are reasonable rather than huge. The flavors show off Italian cooking style. The approach emphasizes the use of high-quality ingredients prepared simply, rather than elaborate dishes.

Entertainment and Connectivity

Personal screens measuring 17-18 inches on long-haul flights have clear displays. ITA Airways reviews business class confirm that the entertainment library includes recent Hollywood movies. Italian movies are featured prominently. International TV shows and music channels round out the options. The touchscreen works smoothly. Content updates happen regularly enough that frequent flyers won't run out of things to watch.

Wi-Fi availability depends on the plane and route. Newer planes offer internet access for a fee. Speeds are fine for email, messaging, and light web browsing. Streaming video or large downloads might be frustrating. Business travelers who need reliable internet should lower their expectations. In-flight Wi-Fi still can't match the speeds you get on the ground. The systems continue to improve each year.

Booking, Upgrades, and Loyalty Programs

Getting a good deal on ITA Airways business class takes some strategy. Careful planning helps if you're on a budget. During sales, booking directly through the ITA website gives you discounted pricing. However, you'll often find different prices on different booking sites. Sometimes, online travel agencies have lower prices than booking directly with the airline.

How much does ITA Airways' business class fare compare to its competitors? Round-trip flights across the Atlantic from North America to Rome or Milan usually cost between $2,800 and $5,500. Prices are higher during the busy summer months. Spring and fall offer more affordable options. Flying in the middle of the week instead of on busy weekends can save you several hundred dollars. Being flexible with your travel dates really pays off.

ITA is part of the SkyTeam alliance. This opens up upgrade possibilities for frequent flyers with partner elite status. Using miles for ITA Airlines business class awards is a great value. European routes work really well for award bookings. Paid tickets can be expensive, but there's usually decent availability for award seats. The airline runs its own Volare loyalty program. This works well for members who mostly fly ITA routes.

Booking Strategies:

• Book two to five months ahead for the best prices

• Compare prices across multiple booking sites

• Fly mid-week (Tuesday or Wednesday) for lower prices

• Use SkyTeam miles for award bookings

• Watch for airline seasonal sales during slower periods

Comparing ITA Airways and Other Airlines

Business class on Alitalia used to compete against Lufthansa, British Airways, and Air France. Now, ITA Airways' business class faces the same European competitors. The comparison involves trade-offs rather than one being clearly better. Each airline has its own strengths.

ITA's strength is its authentic Italian character. The food, wine selection, and service style reflect genuine cultural identity. British Airways has a bigger route network with more frequent flights. Some passengers find BA seats less comfortable. Others think the food is less memorable. Lufthansa offers German efficiency and reliability, with a reputation for punctuality. Air France delivers French sophistication with excellent wine service.

Against North American airlines, ITA Air's business class competes well on flights across the Atlantic. American Airlines and Delta have similar seats and entertainment systems. However, the Italian food program gives ITA a clear advantage. If you care about food, you'll notice the difference right away. Service quality varies across all airlines. American Airlines sometimes struggles with training its crew for premium service.

The following table compares key features across major competitors:

Feature

ITA Airways

British Airways

Delta Air Lines

Seat Configuration

1-2-1 lie-flat

2-4-2 / 1-2-1 (varies)

1-2-1 suites

Dining Focus

Italian cuisine

British/International

Chef-prepared American

Lounge Quality

Strong in Italy

Good globally

Sky Clubs in US

Alliance

SkyTeam

Oneworld

SkyTeam

Final Verdict: Is ITA Airways Business Class Worth It?

Is ITA Airways' business class worth it for trips to Italy? The answer depends on your priorities, your budget, and what you're comparing it to. People who usually fly economy will notice a huge improvement. Lie-flat seats are incredibly valuable on overnight flights across the Atlantic. Arriving well-rested matters whether you're traveling for business or fun.

Travelers who regularly fly premium cabins will notice some differences. Business class on ITA Airways falls into the middle tier of available options. It doesn't reach the level of Singapore Airlines Suites or Emirates First Class. But it's way better than basic business class from budget-focused airlines. The Italian character gives it a special appeal. The food, wine, and service style resonate with many passengers.

When to Choose ITA Airways Business Class:

• Traveling to or from Italy on flights across the Atlantic

• You care about authentic Italian food and wine selection

• Finding competitive prices below $3,500 round-trip

• You have SkyTeam elite status or miles for upgrades

• You prefer European service style over corporate efficiency

The old Alitalia business class reviews and current feedback indicate that passengers are generally satisfied. Most people who choose these premium cabins feel happy with their decision. Complaints focus on operational issues rather than the actual product. Delays, strikes, and inconsistent online services get criticized. The seats, food, and service consistently receive praise.

If you can handle occasional operational hiccups, it's a good value. Italian hospitality and competitive pricing make business class Alitalia's successor appealing. Travel to and from Italy on European and transatlantic flights suits ITA Airways really well. The airline keeps improving its product year after year.