Alitalia

Rome to Los Angeles on Alitalia was the most uncomfortable flight ever. Imagine, you know you're going to spend 11+ hours in a seat and from the first moment you realize it will never be comfortable. Other shorter travelers may have a better experience but not for my 5'10", as the headrest pushed my head forward in an awkward position. I had to put my neck pillow behind my back to make it at all tolerable. I wish I could report that the service, food, entertainment all balanced this out - but it was a fail on every level. The only thing good I can say is that both flights were on time.

Alitalia flight from Rome to Los Angeles, and the aircraft were outdated and seats ridiculously cramped. There is no wifi onboard and no plugs for computer or phones. But the worst part of this airline was customer service. At our check in at Fiumicino airport we were greeted by grumpy and rude staff. We had been told by phone that with a doctor's letter my mother could have a more comfortable seat as she suffers from arthritis, we got the letter and even paying for it, they could not secure that seat. The check in staff sighed constantly and made the experience painful. Many times I asked if there was something wrong and she would roll her eyes again. Not only the rudeness, but she printed our boarding passes wrong and only after waiting in line for customs we realized.

I flew Rome to Milan (LIN) and return several times with Alitalia and I've never had any issue. Flights punctual and professional staff, the food service is the same of all intra-european flights, a little bit poor but ok for such a short houl - a small pocket of bisuits or salty snacks and a soft drink. Will fly them again.

I am still waiting to fly Alitalia from London to Rome today. There is no communication from Alitalia help desk, they only give food vouchers out. I've already missed my connection flight and no information given.

Flew Alitalia from Milan to New York. Seats were very comfortable. Leg room very good for people as tall as 185cm. Service on board: food pretty good but not as fantastic as we expected it to be. Punctuality: on time on departure and on arrival. Landing: very smooth despite the very bad weather conditions.

Economy flight with Alitalia is very frustrating and stressful. Departure Gate changed Last minute, no announcement or signs to advise. Seats onboard unclean and storage pouch hanging partly torn away, hanging on my leg. The cabin staff were pleasant enough. They lost my luggage, despite an immediate report at Baggage Claims, the process was very poor for recovery. So 3 days later no luggage yet, and no answer at Customer Service.

Alitalia Classe Magnifica is the best I've experienced. The crew on all four flights (Rio de Janeiro to Brussels via Rome, return) were very welcoming and enthusiastic. It was a delight to try all the top class Italian wines and food, and the crew were pleased to explain history and location of the cuisine and wine. Seat full lie-flat is better than business class on other European airlines I've travelled.

Milan Linate to Barcelona return. Outbound flight in economy, return in business. I booked only 2 weeks in advance and ticket was at par with most low-costs. Economy was clean, adequate service for a 1 hour flight. Business class was better than other airlines that I have flown on European routes. Very attentive service, excellent food, selection of beverages could be better but for a 1 hour flight I shouldn't complain.

Fiumicino: At the check-in desks, there was such a mess and disorganisation that most passengers were going to miss their flight. I was one of them. Arriving almost 2 hours in advance, I wait my turn in one single line for all the flights (no prioritisation). Once it was finally my turn they tell me that the flight is overbooked. I paid for my seat (chosen with additional fee) more than 800 euro and they tell me it is overbooked. After more than the time needed, they finally check me in and they tell me to speed up and go to the gate. I run like crazy until I arrive at my seat. Inflight Experience: I discover that my entertainment system was broken. Now imagine a 12 hour non-stop flight without an entertainment system. I asked more than one hostess to assist me and change my seat but they continuously told me that the flight was overbooked. They didn't apologise. I could not even light up my light (since it was connected to the system). Thankfully I had my kindle with me and was able to read for 8 hours. Once again, the bad service did not stop at Fiumicino and in-air. LAX: Upon arrival, my baggage was not there. I waited 3 days to get my luggage. I will never fly again with Alitalia.

Very disappointing. Seats were uncomfortable, with a headrest that pushes your head forward. Seats and tray tables were not clean. On this hot summer day, they 'ran out of beer' during the first drink service at the beginning of a 13+ hour flight. No whiskey or spirits, choices of alcohol were red or white wine only. Cabin crew were particularly surly, right from the start. Flew Jetstar Tokyo to Cairns two weeks after this flight, and this LCC was infinitely better, in every department, than Alitalia.