You can bet that there was euphoria in the C-Suites of Delta Air Lines over the news of Air Italy’s collapse. But the untimely demise of Air Italy does not excuse Delta of hypocrisy nor validate its longstanding protest...
My Beloved Air Italy Bites The Dust
In an unexpected move, Air Italy decided to cut its loses and shut down…effective immediately. This is a very sad day for a very special carrier. Investors accelerated an emergency meeting, originally scheduled for February 18th, to today. There,...
Review: Air Italy A330 Business Class
Air Italy offers a phenomenal onboard soft product in business class. The food, drink, and especially the service onboard my 12.5 hour A330-200 flight from Milan to San Francisco left me smiling. I walked out of the Sheraton, up...
First Impressions: Air Italy A330 Business Class
The service and comfort on Air Italy exceeded my expectations. I enjoyed an excellent flight from Milan to San Francisco. Really, the highlight of this flight was the service from Paolo and Maurizio. Maurizio worked my side of the aisle...
Air Italy Is Horrific On The Ground, Stunning In The Air
I’m safely back home after a lovely trip around the world. My final new flight experience, on Air Italy, was an interesting one. I’ll use this post to paint the juxtaposition between Air Italy on the ground and Air...
An Observation On Air Italy Award Space
Air Italy award space is generally quite good, even in premium cabins…but be sure to book in advance. I tend to be a last-minute type of flyer. I rarely book tickets more than 1-2 days before travel and consequently...
Doug Parker Explains Why AA Hates Air Italy
American Airlines CEO Doug Parker sat down with Business Insider to discuss why Air Italy is viewed as such a threat. First, let me say that I am so tired of rehashing this issue over and over. But as...
The Real Reason Air Italy Won’t Receive 787
Air Italy has revealed it will not receive any Boeing 787s but instead maintain a longhaul fleet of exclusively Airbus A330 aircraft. In an interview with Aviation Analyst, Air Italy’s COO Rossen Dimitrov shared his rationale. Because of the...
Air Italy Suspends Three Transatlantic Routes, Adds Four Fun New Routes
U.S. legacy carriers should be very afraid of Air Italy. The Italian airline is doing so well it has announced it will halt service to two U.S. cities and one Canadian city this winter. Were you saying something about...
Qatar Airways Blasts U.S. Lawmakers For Air Italy Criticism
Qatar Airways is hitting back at U.S. lawmakers for the steady rain of criticisms over its investment in Air Italy. In a press release, Qatar forcefully and convincing lays out its case for why the fearing mongering from U.S....
U.S. Secretary Of State Looking “Very Closely” At Qatar-Air Italy Deal
Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, was grilled by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee this week. Many topics were raised, but the one that raised my eyebrows was Air Italy. A group of U.S. Senators—a motley bipartisan crew—are...
Air Italy, The Clone Of Qatar Airways
It is becoming more difficult to distinguish Air Italy and Qatar Airways. Perhaps that is not such a bad thing. Yesterday, Air Italy launched nonstop service between Milan and Los Angeles. San Francisco starts next week. In celebration of...
Dense, Dimwitted Logic From A Deliberately Deceptive Delta CEO
Air Italy’s USA expansion has caused a stir amongst U.S. legacy carriers. But Delta CEO Ed Bastian’s op-ed response is riddled with deception and outright mistruth. Feel free to start by reading Ed Bastian’s op-ed without my commentary. I’m...
A Warning To Air Italy
A friendly warning to Air Italy: learn from the mistakes of others, for you cannot live long enough to make them all yourself. Air Italy is in expansion mode. Last week, the carrier announced plans to add service to...
As Air Italy Looks To California, Congress Looks To Block
A posse of U.S. Senators has Air Italy in its crosshairs, dampening news that the Italian carrier plans to add service to two California cities next yaer. Air Italy Announces Service to LAX and SFO Yesterday, Air Italy announced...
Air Italy Loans An A330 To Finnair It Leased From Qatar Airways
Air Italy just proved that there is a still a role for middlemen in the aircraft leasing business. Last month, a Finnair A330-300 (registration # OH-LTS) was clipped by a high loader (those vehicles that load baggage or catering onboard) at...
Italian Government Wants to Fight Air Italy By Nationalizing Alitalia (Again)
I’m reading between the lines here, but what do you think it means when the Italian government plans to take control of Alitalia (once again) in order to build a flagship airline of “Italo character”? Alitalia is heavily in debt and...
Alitalia, ANA Form Strategic Partnership
Alitalia and ANA are linking up…further proof of the waning power of alliances. Until recently, Alitalia and ANA would have been viewed as strange bedfellows. Alitalia is a member of SkyTeam and ANA a member of Star Alliance. But...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: February 25, 2018
Hello from the American Express Lounge at San Francisco International Airport. I’m on my way home from FTU after a great weekend in Seattle. It was an honor to meet many readers. Remember, there are four upcoming Frequent Traveler...
Air Italy: Qatar’s Plan to Destroy Alitalia
Air Italy wants to be the flag carrier of Italy, taking over beleaguered Alitalia’s long-held dominant position. Air Italy is actually already Italy’s #2 carrier, still flying under the Meridiana name. Last year Qatar Airways acquired a 49% stake...
