While I did not expect to see Air Dolomiti, a regional Lufthansa subsidiary serving routes in Northern Italy, on a flight between France and Germany, I welcomed the experience.
For reasons you’ll read below, I rate Air Dolomiti a cut above the competition in the Lufthansa Group, when it comes to intra-Europe travel.
After arriving a bit too early at Nice and using the Library Lounge, we boarded 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure.
Lufthansa 2271, operated by Air Dolomiti
Nice (NCE) – Munich (MUC)
Friday, October 05
Depart: 09:00 AM
Arrive: 10:20 AM
Duration: 01hr, 20min
Aircraft: Emrbaer ERJ-195
Seat: 4A (Business Class)
Stepping onboard, an Italian FA welcomed me and after inspecting my boarding pass, pointed toward my seat in Row 4.
Air Dolomiti Business Class Seating
Seating onboard this ERJ-195 is 2-2 in both cabins. In business class, every other seat is blocked, so each passenger has a row of two. Every seat includes a coat hook. There are no power outlets available in the seats.
Legroom in business class is tight: you don’t want to fly Air Dolomiti for the seat. The literature rack above the tray table includes a Lufthansa magazine and Air Dolomiti’s own magazine.
Air Dolomiti Business Class Amenities
I was pleasantly surprised when a FA approached me and offered me a bottle of water, moist towel (packaged), and an amenity kit. Yes, an amenity kit on a one hour flight!
And quite frankly it was better than the amenity kits that some airlines offer business class passengers on intercontinental flights. It contained:
- Eyeshades
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Moist Towel
- Ahava Moisturizer
Air Dolomiti Wi-FI + IFE
According to the seatback headrest cover, wi-fi was available onboard. There was indeed Wi-Fi available onboard, but not internet, just intranet. A selection of magazines, newspapers, short-subject videos (no movies), and a moving flight map was available. Hopefully Air Dolomiti will offer Internet as well in the future.
Air Dolomiti Business Class Dining
Due to the short duration of the flight, breakfast was served shortly after takeoff. Air Dolomiti has its own green-colored crockery that I like very much. Breakfast included cold cuts and cheese with warmed bread…and a couple pretzels. The pretzels seemed random. Coffee was excellent, a welcome change from the coffee I had endured all week in France. The orange juice, however, was not fresh (like on Lufthansa mainline morning flights).
Breakfast included a small allergy warning card:
After breakfast I had another glass of sparkling water. Note that all passengers receive drinks in real glasses on Air Dolomiti. I think that’s a nice touch! It also looked like passengers in economy class received a decent breakfast.
Air Dolomiti Business Class Lavatory
A dedicated lavatory in the front of the aircraft for business class passengers was tiny but clean.
The Scenery
The journey from Nice to Munich was a beautiful one. Looking out the window provided all the IFE I needed.
I also enjoyed plane spotting when we landed in Munch, including the A380 that would take me to Los Angeles an hour later and a Lufthansa A350, which I have yet to fly.
Since I was connecting in first class and we landed at a remote stand, a black Mercedes van was waiting to pick me up.
CONCLUSION
What a pleasure it was to fly this little Italian Lufthansa subsidiary. I enjoyed the warm service and hearty breakfast. Don’t hesitate to fly Air Dolomiti if you have the chance.
So…preferable to regular Lufthansa then?
Within Europe, yes.
I flew them intra-Europe and also noticed they went totally overboard on the service. Unfortunately I was in economy, but I still got Prosecco and bagged snacks. 🙂 That amenity bag is great; I would buy that immediately on eBay for my collection.
Matthew, do you remember if the overhead bins accommodate regular size carry ons? Thanks.
Is biz. Class worth it for an hour flight ?