I travel across the Atlantic frequently - given the great reviews I've read here I thought I'd share some of my recent flights. I had wanted to try the new EuroFly all-Business Class product that they've branded Mima. I finally had the chance a couple of months ago from Milan to JFK. If this service had started from Linate as planned instead of MXP, it would have been unbeatable. As it is, it's easily the best product from Italy to the US and right up there with the best business class products, especially in the catering.

My first departure from Terminal 2 at MXP - it's the old terminal and a short shuttle ride from the main. Check-in at T2 MXP is conducted in a private room behind the normal EuroFly check-in desks. They have gone for the concierge model – you are met at the entrance and escorted to the check-in desk, where your printed ticket receipt is waiting.

After clearing security one enters the deserted Terminal Two complex. There are several contact gates used for international departures. Livingstone appears to be the major tenant. EuroFly shares the Livingstone VIP lounge, located across from the gate at E23.





The lounge is Spartan. There are couches to the left of the entrance, a bar area to the right. No real snacks offered and a limited number of beverages. No phones or internet access points in the lounge. Since GJ900 is the only departure from the contact gates during the afternoon the terminal space is empty.

The aircraft had arrived back from JFK at about 1400. After fueling and catering, boarding commenced at 1645 and took about five minutes as all 12 of us headed to the aircraft.

I have flown both MAXjet and Eos and had high expectations for the A319. Eurofly has paid close attention to little details in the cabin.







The A319 is equipped with 48 seats set at 58” pitch. At that pitch the seats seem to recline to a 10 degree angle. The interior décor is palette coordinated and much closer to a private jet in detailing than a standard airliner. The carpeting, seats, and sidewalls are all set in browns and tans. The seat frames are covered with brown leather with tan stitching. Thick carpeting buries all evidence of seat tracks.

Mima has gone for in-seat video with a 7” widescreen monitor located in the front seatback. It’s small compared to the mega-monitors offered by other premium carriers.

The system offers eight on-demand movies and a range of audio content. It’s basic. There is in-seat power with the standard multiprong adapter built-in. There are three lavatories, one in the front and two in the back. They’re standard lavs with slightly more upscale cabinetry.

EuroFly staffs four cabin crew and three pilots. After the quick boarding, passengers were still getting settled when the aircraft pushed promptly at 1700. Quick offer of orange juice and champagne before lift-off on 35L.

Afternoon tea was served at 6pm local time. An Italian cream cake arrived on a real serving cart with tea and coffee. Delicious but rich.



Then not much activity until 120 mins into the flight when dinner started. Large hot facecloths distributed. Flight attendants came around to take dinner orders.





The return menu was also on the card. GJ901 JFK-MXP offers a lighter dinner and a brunch, reflective of the 2200 departure. Appetizers are assorted hams and salami or smoked duck breast in fig sauce; pastas are ahi tuna in pesto sauce with pappardelle or crispy oriental noodles with sesame, carrots and beans; salad of tuna nicoise; and mignon pastry selections. Brunch is an omelette with bacon, sausage and cherry tomatoes and the usual fixings. The culinary tour de force appears to be westbound.

Presentation is linen tray cover with each dish served individually in a square deep plate.



First course was the assorted ham and salami. A generous portion.



Second course was the crespelle with shrimp. Presentation was fine, the pasta was warm.



Main course was the veal. Presentation wasn’t as appealing as the Marsala wine sauce drowned the grilled zucchini, radicchio, spinach and tomato that accompanied the veal medallions. The taste was good, although the veal was drier than it should have been.



The cheese course arrived next. Six different cheeses served off the cart, offered with your choice of honey or mustard.



Then came the dessert cart – choice of cake, passion fruit mousse or crème catalan, served with a plate of fruit.



Espresso, etc. for dessert, of course made fresh since this is an Italian flag carrier.



My take on the catering: they’ve set high standards and largely deliver. The crespelle and veal are difficult to execute without warming the ingredients separately and then plating restaurant-style, a la Singapore. But the quality of food is high. The carts, cutlery and dishes are all restaurant caliber.

Regarding the IFE – it’s great to have on-demand, but offering eight movies (four recent releases and four classics) and some music doesn’t cut it, low-fare or not.



The Mima crew was friendly, proactive during meal time but not present the rest of the flight. About an hour out from JFK (6:30pm JFK time) the cabin crew offered snacks from a cart. Croissants and canapés.



Arrived at the gate at 7:55pm. Arrival at JFK was 30 minutes given staffing for the late hour for international arrivals.

EuroFly has created a strong product. There are some rough edges (some food presentation, IFE content, and especially the Malpensa terminal facilities) but if they maintain a price discount against Alitalia then they’ve got a compelling value proposition. The inclined lie-flat seats are proven technology.

If you have the opportunity to try the service, I would. If it survives commercially it’s going to win awards.