gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Posted (11 months 1 week 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 12773 times:
Sicily with the Wings of Italy:LGW-MXP-PMO-LIN-LHR
Hello!
Welcome to my newest report covering my May flights down to Sicily with Alitalia & Co. Like many of my European adventures nowadays, this trip started with a few drinks with a friend. After a few hours, a tasty meal,and a few pints, my friend and I had decided on a trip “somewhere South”. Of course, it was left up to me to find a trip. I’d already been to a few Eastern European places with this particular friend (Transylvania and Armenia), so it would be nice to travel somewhere new with him. I found a good deal for OU flights to Split, but came a bit stuck when looking for decent accommodation. Spain was pretty expensive for relatively last minute flights. There were, however, plenty of cheap flights via AZ for Italy. I’ve always wanted to fly with Alitalia. That green and red livery is just beautiful. And it’s a great name too…ali means wings in Italian….the Wings of Italy! How poetic!
Unfortunately the easy to find flights (on all search engines) for around GBP 115 rtn showed false availability. Once you clicked on the flights, the prices shot up. I did eventually find a reasonable deal routing to Palermo in Sicily for GBP 141 each, outbound on Air One via Milan Malpensa, and back on AZ (& co) via Linate. I was happy to add two new routes on my map for the London to Milan sector (previously I’d flown LHR-MXP on BA & BD/LH). I now just have LGW-LIN (U2), BGY-STN (FR) and LCY-LIN (AZ) left to fly!
Plenty of ways from London to Milan (courtesy of GC mapper):
Ironically, none of the four flights would actually be operated by Alitalia proper, despite all having AZ flight numbers. The first two were Air One with an “AP” code, the 3rd operated with a “VE” code with “Vola Windjet” as the operating company on an AZ painted MD80, and the final leg as an “XM” code operated by CAI, also on an AZ painted plane….how confusing to the average passenger.
My flights therefore looked like this (courtesy of GC mapper):
I found a cheap B&B in the centre of town, and then hired a car via Sixt/Expedia. We were all set.
Fast forward a few weeks, and I met up with my friend in the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport. The Air One desks were the closest to the entrance, and had no queue…good start. Normally Air One charges for baggage, but as we had booked via AZ, we got a 20kg luggage allowance. We had our bags checked through to Palermo, and were given our boarding passes for LGW-MXP. The lady at the desk said she couldn’t issue our MXP-PMO passes (I’d checked in online, but not printed out), and that we’d have to pick them up in MXP…annoying.
We headed through security (not too long a queue), and then to Café Rouge to get some lunch. Thanks TupolevTu154 for the restaurant with a view advice!
My salmon croque monsieur…very tasty
With our eating done, we headed over to the gate. EI-DSR would be taking us to Lombardy today.
Long-haul neighbour
An African newcomer across the way
Just over 30 minutes before out STD, we were invited to board.
May 2012
London Gatwick (LGW) – Milan Malpensa (MXP)
Air One AP 303, sold as Alitalia AZ 7973
Scheduled: 1340-1640 (2h00m)
Actual: 1342-1607 (1h25m)
Airbus A320 EI-DSR
Economy
Air One has an interested no-frills approach to onboard seating. The first 3 rows are sold as an extra space area (same legroom, but the middle seat is unsold. Seats here cost EUR 30 to reserve. The aisle seats in rows 4-11 cost EUR 3 to reserve (window and middle seats are free, but can only be reserved at check in). The exit row seats are EUR 10. The back of the plane is also free, but can only be reserved at check in. The result of this organisation is that on lightly loaded flights full of penny pinchers, none of the forward aisle seats are taken (or the front or exit rows). As such, if you’re sat near the front, there is plenty of space to spread out after take off.
We were welcomed on-board by the purser having a conversation with another member of crew. We found our seats and settled in.
The obvious feature of the seat on the place where a TV should go….were these ever installed on this bird. Why were they removed, or never installed? Would have been nice to have, but I can live without it for 90 minutes.
OK legroom
Decent recline
The cabin filled up a little. As I said, no one was sat on any of the aisle seats, so my friend moved over and we had 3 seats to ourselves. The back of the plane seemed quite busy, but the front was very spacious.
The bridge
Air China’s new LGW service. It’s great that LGW has managed to get some many new services (VN to SGN and HAN), HX to HKG, CA to PEK etc, minus the loss of QR to DOH) . This flight also complements the LHR flight times quite well. Having said that, if they’re desperate for capacity at LHR, why not upgrade the A330 to a B744/B77W?
Belavia (just for you FlyingFinn!). Over the years a lot of Eastern European airlines have moved from LHR to LGW. CSA, Malev, Adria. Belavia never flew there though.
And Air Nigeria again
BA
U2
The new Hong Kong Airlines all business flight to HKG. It’s a nice idea (and the products looks great) but I can’t see it lasting
The BOB menu. Having an AZ ticket yields no free catering, just a checked bag allowance.
Pricey
The Magazine….not a single word in English (apart from the massive titles), just Italian.
Route map
Fleet info
Seating info
Safety card
Views…it was a little too cloudy for good views of the Alps
Nice Air One decal…very LHesque
Well ahead of schedule we begin our approach, landing over 30 minutes early. If you want to see the landing video, click here.
I love the Eurofly livery…grey and red go well together
We disembark into the sunshine, and are bussed to arrivals
There is a short queue for security, but the queue moved slowly. The passageway from security lead back up to the non-Schengen departure area. As we still had no boarding pass for the next flight, we tried to find a transfer desk. The lady at the information desk (nowhere near as helpful as our Infodesk) pointed us toward the Schengen area.
Once there we asked again for the transfer desk. We searched and asked and looked. Finally I went into the lounge to ask, and was told there was no such transfer desk, and we should get our boarding pass at the gate when it was manned. Hmmm, not very good. no option now but to hang around.
IR to Terhan
SV back to Riyadh
LH
Vueling
The depressing underground bussing area in MXP. At least it wasn’t too busy
I periodically went to check if the desk was staffed or not. Finally, around 30 minutes before departure, someone appeared. With one agent checking boarding passes for the other passengers (it was a full flight, and the queue of Sicilians were impatient to get going), another agent printed out our boarding passes, as well as asking for our baggage receipts. We were then let onto the bus for the short journey to EI-DST (why are so many Italian aircraft registering in Ireland? Aren’t long term leased aircraft at least registered in the main country normally).
May 2012
Milan Malpensa (MXP) – Palermo (PMO)
Air One AP 136, sold as Alitalia AZ 7432
Scheduled: 1755-1935 (1h40m)
Actual: 1754-1910 (1h16m)
Airbus A320 EI-DST
Economy
The seat map at online check in
The flight this Friday evening is completely full as far as I can see. The crew are also a bit aloof upon boarding, but in an unconscious effort of cheer everyone up, they all seem to be part of a Village People tribute band. Handlebar moustaches and muscles galore from the four blokes mincing up and down the aisle. Very amusing.
I want to try them someday
A minute ahead of schedule, and we’re off
Nice airport views after take off
Leaving the mainland behind
Once again I declined the pricey BOB, and just enjoyed the views. Before long we began our early approach into Palermo. Air One have seem to run nice and early.
The runway flows the coastline at the bottom of the hill
Doing a slow turn over the bay
Nearly lined up
And we’re down. Welcome to Sicily!
We park next to this Ryanair jet. The tarmac outside the terminal is being redone, so all arrivals are bussed despite the presence of airbridges.
AZ heading back to Fuimicino
We disembark, then sit in the sun for a while. Thankfully the doors remain open so I can take some photos.
We were dropped off at thee terminal and headed over to the baggage reclaim area.
After a few minutes, my bag appeared. We waited a few more minutes, then a little longer, until the bags stopped coming out. It seems that despite the reasonable connection time, and the fact that my bag made it, my friend’s bag was still in MXP. Luckily for my friend, I’ve had my bag lost more times than I care to recall (OS x 1, AF x 1, BA x 2) so knew what to do. It took about 20 minutes for the friendly staff to register my friends particulars. They didn’t mention anything about buying replacements until I prompted them. They said it might be on the next flight (24 hours later) or sent on a flight via FCO the next morning. However, at this point, they didn’t actually know where it was so everything was guesswork.
With our early arrival time advantage now gone, we left the terminal and managed to find the well hidden bus to the car hire place.
I was hoping to get a Smart Car, but we ended up with a Panda. There is a bit of a disagreement over the price of an extra driver (my Expedia confirmation said EUR 4/day, whilst Sixt insisted it was EUR 8). I paid up in the end as I just wanted to get to the hotel. On my return I sent Expedia an email about it. I was very surprised to get a call a few days later from Expedia Head Office USA (maybe a quasi-perk of the still uninitiated UK Expedia® Elite Plus™ programme) saying that under the circumstances, they’d refund me the EUR 8. Whoop!
With that all sorted, we drove into Palermo. This was the first time I’d driven in Italy. The driving wasn’t as awful as I expected, but still not quite up to the gentlemanly conduct of the Home Counties : )
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Reply 1, posted (11 months 1 week 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 12821 times:
Streets
The amazing cathedral
The Cappella Palatina in the Palazzo dei Normanni
The catacombs – amazing place, although not for those of a sensitive nature
The outdoor church and view from the top of nearby hill
Wonderful food and drink
Mmm, limoncello
After two very nice nights in Palermo, we drove back to the airport with a quick stop on the beach of Mondello
We dropped the car back off without a problem, and caught the bus back to the terminal. A quick enquiry at the AZ desk revealed that my friends bag was still missing.
FIDS
There was no queue at the AZ desks, and our boarding passes were printed, and my bag was tagged back to Heathrow. When checking in online, I noticed that the MD80 was showing the first five rows as having 2x2 seating, whilst the rest of the plane having 2x3 seats. Hmmm, what’s that about. I recalled in the very dim and distant past AZ having “proper” Business class seats installed in some aircraft…could this be one? I selected row 4 with a greyed out middle seat between us, and crossed my fingers. For the LIN-LHR leg, I went for the emergency exit row.
Landside
We headed outside once my bag had gone to finish our bottles of water before going through security
Lines for security were short, and we were airside in just a few minutes….it wasn’t a particularly interesting place to wait. We were going to get a beer, but they were EUR 6 each so we just played cards on a bench near the gate.
Our Gate
May 2012
Palermo (PMO) – Milan Linate (LIN)
VE 7046, sold as Alitalia AZ 7046
Scheduled: 1700-1835 (1h35m)
Actual: 1706-1822 (1h16m)
McDonnell Douglas 82 I-DACR
Economy
Boarding started just over 20 minutes before our STD by taking a long walk down an airbridge, then down the steps onto a bus.
The FCO flight
Before long, we pulled alongside our MD80…doesn’t it look great!
I’m not sure if there was also boarding available under the tail or not, but with seats in row 4, it wouldn’t have made sense anyway.
At the top of the steps, I was greeted by a very friendly guy and pointed aft. As hoped, we were indeed sat in the old business class seats. My friend had never flown anything but economy before, so was quite happy with this minor upgrade.
Nice belt
Interestingly, despite the heavy load, there were still quite a few seats left in the “business” cabin. More fool them!
A nice view out the window
A manual safety demo was done, and we were on our way. The crew on this flight were the best of all our flights – friendly and helpful, with lots of smiles. Interestingly, of the four flights, there was just 1 female member of cabin crew.
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Reply 2, posted (11 months 1 week 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 12829 times:
Roughly halfway through the flight, one of the friendly cabin crew brought a single lady up to the empty row behind us. From eavesdropping the conversation, it seems like the lady was a very nervous flyer, and the guy was trying to comfort her a little. He sat with her for about 10 minutes just chatting about various things. Nice touch.
Once again we started our approach nice and early into a wet and foggy Milan Linate.
I was quite excited to see the Olympic flame plane just a few days after she ferried the flame from ATH to NQY.
We disembarked into the drizzle and were bus over to arrivals. I was quite surprised to find that there was no airside transit. Instead, we had to go out via arrivals, but back upstairs to check in and through security there. I was expecting something a bit along the lines of the size London City Airport, and class of Singapore or Incheon. Instead Linate was large and old, with very drudgey architecture.
FIDS
Thankfully we didn’t have too long between going through security and immigration before boarding. Thirty minutes before departure, boarding was called. When we arrived it was clear that the scheduled A320 was now an A319 meaning we’d lost our exit row seats…shame, but worse things have happened.
May 2012
Milan Linate (LIN) – London Heathrow (LHR)
XM 5248, sold as Alitalia AZ 7898
Scheduled: 1940-2045 (2h05m)
Actual: 1945-2016 (1h31m)
Airbus A319 EI-IMB “Isola de Giglio” (originally I-BIMB)
Economy
Thankfully Alitalia wings are painted beautifully, so I wasn’t too sad about missing the exit by 1 row.
Legroom - adequate
Safety card
Ulisse Magazine
Domestic map
European map
Long-range Fleet
More seats without TVs. This was just before the second bus arrived giving us a 100% load in economy.
It’s wet outside
A Meridiana MD80 landing
Goodbye Italy!
Before too long the cabin crew sprang into action, closed the curtain between business and economy, and started the inflight service. It was fairly similar to BA’s, although lacking any spirits. I got a salty snack along with some water and red wine….not too bad.
Sunset with a lovely wing
For the fourth and final time, we began our descent into Heathrow nice and early. The descending video is here.
Look who’s made it back to Heathrow
A380s at Terminal 3
EY
MH
SV
QR
Terminal 4 line up
Heathrow East
Jet and AF
KM
After a scenic tour of the airport, we pulled onto stand next to an Air Malta A320. It was nice to see Terminal 4 again…I very rarely use the terminal. In recent years I’ve only flown UL LHR-MLE-CMB (2007) and BA RIX-LHR (2005).
Immigration didn’t take too long, and thankfully neither did the wait for my bag. Thanks for the early arrival, I had *just* enough time to make the final bus of the day back home. I thought I would miss it so had already bought an open return to/from Gatwick which I would no longer use….as it turned out, thanks to this ticket, a few days later I booked my first trip on Flybe GLA-BHD-LGW (report out soon). I bid adieu to my friend who was taking the tube back to London and hopped on the bus.
Overall I thought the flights were pretty good. Getting the Air One flights (and service) when paying for an Alitalia flight was a bit annoying, but at the end of the day, I only missed out on a glass of wine and a small snack. The Alitalia flights themselves were also fine. The service PMO-LIN was a bit minimalistic, but the crew were friendly (and we got the C class seats!). LIN-LHR showed that AZ is actually quite a nice airline, and offers better inflight complimentary catering than the likes of SN, IB and SK.
All the flights landed early, which is brilliant and exceeded expectations. The one sour point of the journey was my friend’s lost bag. He finally had it delivered to his house around 3 days after getting back. We did a bit of shopping in Palermo (totted up about EUR 86 of stuff, hardly excessive), and submitted the bill to AZ on his return. They came back saying:
“We would like to inform you that it is company policy to consider the facts including the period of delay before delivery of the baggage and the costs claimed to have been incurred in consequence. Alitalia reimburse 50% of claimed costs in reference to toiletries and clothing expenses.”
Obviously both my friend and I was a annoyed by this…he wrote a letter back and is still waiting to hear from AZ. When AF lost my bag in CDG, I was given EUR 50 cash and a wash bag immediately, and they settled in full. BA in LHR also paid out in full, even though I was at my final destination.
Palermo itself was nice…the city has enough diversions for a weekend. I wish we’d have had a few more days to explore a bit of the countryside though…next time!
jwhite9185 From United Kingdom, joined May 2007, 722 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (11 months 1 week 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 12510 times:
Great report as ever!
Interesting that between yourself and Palmjet, in the last couple of days both flights i was originally planning on taking to Milan have been covered (before a much more interesting route came along). So at least I've not totally missed out!
Be interesting to hear about your Flybe routes too as I'm doing that exact route myself in a couple of weeks - although i won't be going up to GLA on a Megabus!
trentside From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2011, 26 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (11 months 1 week 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 12378 times:
Thanks for the interesting report gabrielchew.
I found the pictures of Palermo particularly interesting, and am now somewhat regretting scrapping an itinerary that would have seen me pass through there with AirOne and Volotea. Still there's always next time!
Got to agree with you about the Alitalia colours, have always been a fan - and the MD82 is a nice bonus!
dc9northwest From Romania, joined Feb 2007, 1735 posts, RR: 4 Reply 5, posted (11 months 1 week 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 12334 times:
Hi Gabriel,
Great report, and nice to see some pics of Sicily.
AirOne being AirOne, I see....
You caught some nice and rare aircraft in your pics, especially that IR A300 was interesting.
Yeah, the AZ MD-82s are quite interesting airplanes. The large business class section is an interesting detail. I wish I'd known about it the only time I got to fly on one of their MDs, way back, almost 10 years ago now I suppose.
Thanks very much for your report, it was a pleasure to read!
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Reply 6, posted (11 months 1 week 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 12274 times:
Thanks for the replies!
Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 3): Interesting that between yourself and Palmjet, in the last couple of days both flights i was originally planning on taking to Milan have been covered (before a much more interesting route came along). So at least I've not totally missed out!
Glad we could be of assistance!
Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 3): Be interesting to hear about your Flybe routes too as I'm doing that exact route myself in a couple of weeks - although i won't be going up to GLA on a Megabus!
What date are you flying and I'll try and publish before your departure?
Quoting trentside (Reply 4): Thanks for the interesting report gabrielchew.
No problem!
Quoting trentside (Reply 4): I found the pictures of Palermo particularly interesting, and am now somewhat regretting scrapping an itinerary that would have seen me pass through there with AirOne and Volotea. Still there's always next time!
ROGERBCN From Andorra, joined Sep 2006, 1135 posts, RR: 19 Reply 8, posted (11 months 1 week 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 11800 times:
Hola Gabriel!
Very interesting story to PMO, a really well written and very nice pictured report to know a little bit more on the Southern islands of Italy, a really nice place still waiting for my visit, need to go there, but not in summer, too hot for my taste.
This idea of having code-sahred flights with companies that offer a sub-standard level of service is not great, I always remember when JK flew to ZRH code-sharing with LX, you could end up buying an LX ticket and get stuck in that horrible leg-room, BOB service and lack of friendly service... sad but true.
I really enjoy the MD C class seating, really nice to have those open for all passengers, I bet you were looked on envy by some other customers.
Losing one's baggage has happened to all of us, I guess, mine has been around the world several times by LH, KL, AC... and delivered the next day without problem, I guess AZ, or Air One for the matter, is not as efficient as other airlines.
Salut!
Roger
"At reise er at leve" H.C. Andersen (Travelling is Living)
It seems everyone is going to Siciliy. My folks, a few friends, a couple of co-workers. Maybe I should start planning too.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): I was quite surprised to find that there was no airside transit.
Yeah, LIN is mostly aimed at O&D, so no transit. Similar to LCY.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): I was expecting something a bit along the lines of the size London City Airport, and class of Singapore or Incheon. Instead Linate was large and old, with very drudgey architecture.
Indeed. For a design and style capital that Milan is both airports are quite the let down.
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Reply 10, posted (11 months 1 week 5 days ago) and read 11682 times:
Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 7): Weekend of 7th July - no rush though, if you can you can, if not then ill get to discover it all first hand!
Will see what I can do
Quoting ROGERBCN (Reply 8):
Very interesting story to PMO, a really well written and very nice pictured report
Thanks Roger
Quoting ROGERBCN (Reply 8): This idea of having code-sahred flights with companies that offer a sub-standard level of service is not great, I always remember when JK flew to ZRH code-sharing with LX, you could end up buying an LX ticket and get stuck in that horrible leg-room, BOB service and lack of friendly service... sad but true.
Yeah, always annoying when a codeshare is of lesser standard
Quoting ROGERBCN (Reply 8): I really enjoy the MD C class seating, really nice to have those open for all passengers, I bet you were looked on envy by some other customers.
Quoting roberts87 (Reply 9): It seems everyone is going to Siciliy. My folks, a few friends, a couple of co-workers. Maybe I should start planning too.
Maybe you should!
Quoting roberts87 (Reply 9): Yeah, LIN is mostly aimed at O&D, so no transit. Similar to LCY.
I guess that's a good enough reason...it looked like quite a few people were making connections though, and certainly more than in LCY
FLIEGER67 From Turkey, joined Sep 2003, 4391 posts, RR: 57 Reply 11, posted (11 months 1 week 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 11312 times:
Hi, Gabriel,
great pictures from Palermo. I like these city, too, also when it´s a somewhat special place.
Good to follow you´re experience on the different AZ companies and also you´re airport experiences.
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24917 posts, RR: 60 Reply 13, posted (11 months 1 week 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 10624 times:
Hi Gabriel ,
As usual nice report and read. LGW has managed to grab alot of varied carriers and its great to see. Seems the new owners took their task seriously and LGW was kept at bay when BAA owned it. Ive been very impressed with the way LGW has gone.
Nice AZ pics. I love the MD80 2-2 J class seating . I flew in exactly the same style years ago from DUB .
Interesting destination pics and food too .
Thanks for the report.
Regards
Philip
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
Widebodyroga From United States of America, joined Sep 2008, 473 posts, RR: 4 Reply 14, posted (11 months 1 week 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 10430 times:
Splendid report. Nice to see that your first experience with AZ wasn't as traumatic as it was for the majority of the rest of us
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): The obvious feature of the seat on the place where a TV should go%u2026.were these ever installed on this bird. Why were they removed, or never installed? Would have been nice to have, but I can live without it for 90 minutes.
Weird. The only AirOne A320 I have been on had the monitors installed. It was EI-DSU I believe.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): I was hoping to get a Smart Car, but we ended up with a Panda. There is a bit of a disagreement over the price of an extra driver (my Expedia confirmation said EUR 4/day, whilst Sixt insisted it was EUR 8). I paid up in the end as I just wanted to get to the hotel. On my return I sent Expedia an email about it. I was very surprised to get a call a few days later from Expedia Head Office USA (maybe a quasi-perk of the still uninitiated UK Expedia® Elite Plus™ programme) saying that under the circumstances, they’d refund me the EUR 8. Whoop!
How nice. Hats off to your persistence. I wish I was like that. I usually just let it go.
*Real* italian food is exceptional and your photos certainly show that. Too bad that the kind of italian food you find outside of Italy is so bad in comparison.
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 2): Roughly halfway through the flight, one of the friendly cabin crew brought a single lady up to the empty row behind us. From eavesdropping the conversation, it seems like the lady was a very nervous flyer, and the guy was trying to comfort her a little. He sat with her for about 10 minutes just chatting about various things. Nice touch.
That's so very nice of them. I wish all crews showed this kind of attentive behavior.
Hopefully this time it was up to date? Last time I read it (Nov 2010 edition) it had a whole article on the construction and upcoming (!) completion of a new skyscraper in Chicago, when that skyscraper had been cancelled since 2008.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): “We would like to inform you that it is company policy to consider the facts including the period of delay before delivery of the baggage and the costs claimed to have been incurred in consequence. Alitalia reimburse 50% of claimed costs in reference to toiletries and clothing expenses.”
That's preposterous. Who came with this policy? Ah, yeah, Alitalia did.
Really enjoyed the photos of Palermo. I love places with such a rustic appearance.
Thanks for sharing,
WBodyroga
Visit my aviation page: http://widebodyroga.weebly.com/
Quoting Widebodyroga (Reply 14): Nice to see that your first experience with AZ wasn't as traumatic as it was for the majority of the rest of us
Yes, that a relief!
Quoting Widebodyroga (Reply 14): How nice. Hats off to your persistence. I wish I was like that. I usually just let it go.
That was the funny thing, I only sent them one email saying I was quite "dissapointed". The next thing I knew HQ was on the phone....
Quoting Widebodyroga (Reply 14): *Real* italian food is exceptional and your photos certainly show that. Too bad that the kind of italian food you find outside of Italy is so bad in comparison.
Yes, real Italian food is amazing!
Quoting Widebodyroga (Reply 14): Hopefully this time it was up to date? Last time I read it (Nov 2010 edition) it had a whole article on the construction and upcoming (!) completion of a new skyscraper in Chicago, when that skyscraper had been cancelled since 2008.
CaptainRed From Germany, joined Oct 2010, 578 posts, RR: 19 Reply 16, posted (11 months 1 week 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 10231 times:
Hi Gabriel,
nice report again about your travels. Good to read something about Palermo as well, last year I had planned a short trip to PMO as well, but unfortunately had to cancel it because I got sick a few days before. Now I know what I have missed, judging from your pictures it must be a very interesting city, also with great food (but then it is Italy after all). Looks like I have to try again to get there.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): The first two were Air One with an “AP” code, the 3rd operated with a “VE” code with “Vola Windjet” as the operating company on an AZ painted MD80, and the final leg as an “XM” code operated by CAI, also on an AZ painted plane….how confusing to the average passenger.
Indeed confusing, and similar to my experience with Alitalia. Had one flight with them that was shown as an AirOne flight operated by AZ on the AZ webpage, then at the airport it was shown as an AZ flight operated by AirOne.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): The driving wasn’t as awful as I expected, but still not quite up to the gentlemanly conduct of the Home Counties
Next time try Rome ...
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Before long, we pulled alongside our MD80…doesn’t it look great!
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Instead Linate was large and old, with very drudgey architecture.
Yeah, LIN is not the nicest of airports around, I didn't like it either.
Sorry to hear about the lost baggage of your friend and that they didn't even properly give a compensation for it, good that your friend wrote a letter of complaint about it.
palmjet From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2001, 1051 posts, RR: 16 Reply 18, posted (11 months 1 week 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 9974 times:
Hi G
Very nice report - thanks for posting this one. Looks like your AZ experience was generally positive too.
Some great snaps at Palermo. Feels like it's somewhere I would also like to visit. Great to see an MD80 flight was included. I would definitely fly AZ again to try and get on one of these now increasingly rare birds.
LIN is certainly an "experience". I wish they would raise the ceilings - it felt so claustrophobic!
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 16): Good to read something about Palermo as well, last year I had planned a short trip to PMO as well, but unfortunately had to cancel it because I got sick a few days before. Now I know what I have missed, judging from your pictures it must be a very interesting city, also with great food (but then it is Italy after all). Looks like I have to try again to get there.
Shame you missed PMO...you'll have to try again soon!
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 16): Wow, seems like there is some really interesting traffic there at LGW.
Yes, there is quite a bit now
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 16): Still you managed to get some nice pictures.
MSS658 From Belgium, joined Oct 2010, 2212 posts, RR: 14 Reply 20, posted (11 months 1 week 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 9889 times:
Hi Gabriel
Nice trip report, thanks for sharing.
AZ seems to get better and better. Just too bad about the luggage mishap.
It looks like they are taking away the intended PTVs on the 320 fleet.
The MD80 still looks nice in the classic livery.
Ah yes, last year I'd booked STN-CGN-BLQ on 4U, only for them to cancel so I did LGW-TRN then a train. Not idea for a weekend trip but I had a few hours leeway
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): We headed through security (not too long a queue), and then to Café Rouge to get some lunch. Thanks TupolevTu154 for the restaurant with a view advice!
Nice tip!
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Air One has an interested no-frills approach to onboard seating
My one and only AZ trip was LHR-MXP-CAI/TLV-FCO-LHR. Fortunately I didn't need the transfer desk! I was surprised at how easy it was there, despite the weird colours around the airport!
sultanils From Belgium, joined Mar 2010, 1188 posts, RR: 29 Reply 23, posted (11 months 1 week 2 days ago) and read 9490 times:
Hi Gab,
Nice weekend getaway report. I'm glad to see that the recent flow of Alitalia reports here sees the airline performing quite well. Except for the lost bag of course, I'm curious to what the outcome will be with a possible refund. Good thing you scored the MD as well and that you got to sit in the C section. I also had this once on a BRU-FCO some 10 years ago.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): The driving wasn’t as awful as I expected, but still not quite up to the gentlemanly conduct of the Home Counties : )
Ha ha, for me as a Belgian it is difficult already to drive properly in Italy - their driving is ridiculous at times - let alone if you have to drive on the other side of the road
Knightsofmalta From Malta, joined Nov 2005, 1415 posts, RR: 17 Reply 24, posted (11 months 1 week 2 days ago) and read 9480 times:
Hi Gabriel
Thanks for the interesting report. I've never been to Palermo despite the proximity to Malta. It's also good to see you did not have to go hungry on your trip. That food looks absolutely gorgeous!
God I'm thick. It only just dawned on me that the Air One bird is also a crane like the Lufthansa one...!
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): The flight this Friday evening is completely full as far as I can see. The crew are also a bit aloof upon boarding, but in an unconscious effort of cheer everyone up, they all seem to be part of a Village People tribute band. Handlebar moustaches and muscles galore from the four blokes mincing up and down the aisle. Very amusing.
I really had to laugh at this, sounds quite...interesting, very camp and oh so Italian. When I was in Buenos Aires some years back, I had the Alitalia crew staying at the same hotel. The blokes all came down to breakfast in their uniforms and from the way they were strutting around the breakfast room you could have thought they were about to start signing autographs!
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 1): I’m not sure if there was also boarding available under the tail or not, but with seats in row 4, it wouldn’t have made sense anyway.
Gabriel, were you feeling quite alright? You missed an opportunity to board through the back stairs! Do you remember if the APU was running?
Thanks for posting, Gabriel. Rather a good read and great pictures.
Cheers,
William
25 FlyingFinn76: Hi Gabs, No resting on your laurels for you after your mega trips this spring, eh? But anyway a nice account on the quick trip to Sicily. I was there
26 dc9northwest: Hi Flying Finn, I was stalking this thread, and I can solve this dilemma. Both flights had to do with LIN. Linate being a slot-restricted airport, AZ
27 gabrielchew: Thanks for the comments! Thanks Very Thanks! Always nice! Thanks Nils Yes, I'm also curious to find out Subtle but definately there Well, it doesn't t
28 akhmad: Hi Gab, I cannot help thinking of The Godfather movie while reading your report. Good to know! I thought that Alitalia meant the Italian way. All the
29 gabrielchew: Thanks for the comments Suryo! Did you go and watch it after reading?! I thought it meant "To Italy" Annoying! Well, maybe it would be worth it on a l
30 adamspotter: Hi Gabriel, Another great report as usual. Air One looks OK and Alitalia look much better as to what I used to hear of them, I might try them out some
31 gabrielchew: Thanks Brendan Yeah, Air One was ok, and AZ better than expected Thanks! Palermo is a nice place for the weekend
32 airbuseric: Great report Gab, love the seats on AZ MD82, sadly my flight on such last week was in full YCL layout so no 'old business' in front Not sure about Air
33 The777Man: Hi Gabriel! Thanks for another great report with nice pictures ! Always great to try new carriers and even better that you are going to Italy! Flights
34 gabrielchew: Thanks Eric! Shame you didn't get the nice seats Ha, come on, I'm not that short! Glad you liked it! Thanks! Yes, was nice to finally fly AZ Shame no
35 deltamartin: Hi Gabriel! Nice report just as usual! Good to see that AZ took well care of you, I can't really complain about them either after trying them myself f
36 gabrielchew: Yes, AZ were better than I had imagined they might be I'm sure it does! Oooh, I love it! It seems like most of the MD80s are now fully 2x3....guess w
37 PlaneHunter: Yet another interesting report, Gabriel! Did you eat all that in a row??? PH
38 okapi: I remember the first time I saw these monitors. The A320s had just been delivered and the first flights were on "flagship" route LIN-FCO at a time wh
39 gabrielchew: Thanks PH! Ha, not all of it! THat was a few meals! Yes, it's a nice indicator, but prices change a lot.... Yes, shame there are very few "real" C se
40 stipica: Hi G ! I read this adventure long time ago but just now to ask ... and you didn't contact me for a help ...but honestly I do not understand what was t
41 gabrielchew: Hmm, I guess when I was looking it was a busy/expensive weekend? or else I just wasn't very good at looking! I'll remember to ask you next time!
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