Review of ITA Airways flight from Milan to Rome in Economy

INTRODUCTION

Hello to all FlightReporters
After summer I moved back to Milan around the 15th of September. Around mid-October I decided to go to Rome for a few days to visit my family.
I choose to visit them the last weekend of October, leaving on Friday 27th after work and returning to Milan in the morning of Monday 30th.

booking options

The 14th October I get on Italo train operator's website. In the previous days I had received an e-mail from them with a discount code.
This was the option:

Milan Central Station > Rome Termini Station 14:20 - 17:25
Rome Termini Station > Milan Central Station 9:05 - 12:15
Total price: 129.80 euros

Being the weekend before All Saints' Day I expected to find high prices for train tickets. But almost 130 euros was definitely too much.

I therefore checked ITA Airways' website.
The cheapest option was:

Milan-LIN > Rome-FCO 12:00 - 13:10
Rome-FCO > Milan-LIN 17:30 - 18:40
Total price: 99.70 euros

I didn't consider this option because leaving on Friday morning and returning on Monday evening would have mean loosing two days of work.
Coming back to Milan in the morning, taking 10:00-11:10 flight, costed 122.70 euros.

At this point I verified if it was convenient taking the plane on a leg and the train on the other.
And finally I came to the final solution:

Milan-LIN > Rome-FCO 12:00 - 13:10
Rome Termini Station > Milan Central Station 8:05 - 11:15
Total price: 90.65 euros

Usually I don't like going to Rome by plane due to the baggage limitation. However I would have stayed there just for a weekend and the return by train would allowed me to bring an extra bag.

The plane ticket costed me 1€ less than reported since I was able to use a discount from Italian Government Youth Card.

Italo rail operator offers three classes: Smart (Economy), Prima (Business) and Club Executive (First).
In my modest opinion Smart's seat is not very comfortable. Sometimes they offer upgrades in Prima for a light price difference (3-5 euros), but this was not the case.

The price was lowered of 5 euros for the aforementioned discount.

The ticket is generated automatically both as printable BP and e-Ticket.

The fare didn't allow me to choose the seat
Chaning it would have cost me 2-5 euros depending on the selected seat

I was automatically given seat 17, a window one, in coach number 7

ROUTING

A short report of the train journey is available at the end of this review.

BEFORE THE FLIGHT

Online check-in is available 48 hours before the flight
The Wednesday before my trip I logged in on ITA Airways' app to get my boarding pass
The process is quite easy

Unfortunately the system assigned my 21D seat, an aisle one
Due to the selected fare changing seat would have cost me 11 euros
I'll try to change it at the airport

Through the app I was able to download a printable boarding pass and a one to be saved on Google Wallet

By the time I checked in the plane was reported on FlightRadar to be an Airbus A320neo

HOW TO GET TO LINATE

In November 2022 the new M4 metro line (the blue) opened between Linate Airport and Dateo, the latter providing an interchange with Milan Underground Railway
The 4th July 2023 the M4 was extended to San Babila, in the middle of Milan city center. The new terminus allows people to change with M1 line (the red) and reach the airport in barely 15 minutes.

Before the metro opened I needed to take one metro stop from Udine station (on M2 line, the green) and two buses
However everytime I've left from Linate I've always found shared cars to reach the airport in 20 minutes

This would my first time getting to Linate using the metro
From my house I'll need to take M2 line from Udine to Loreto, than M1 from Loreto to San Babila and finally M4 from San Babila to the airport.
According to Google Maps the entire process would take around 45 minutes

Linate is a small airport, but handes many European flights. And it's also very close (7 km) to the city center. The metro is probably the best way to access Milan air gateway.

Actually the shortest way from my house would be getting by walk to Lambrate station (15 minutes), than getting the train to Milano-Forlanini and finally the M4 to Linate. It takes less than 40 minutes.
By the way since in this period Milan can be quite cold and rainy, staying under the same roof for the whole process is worth the time difference…

rushing to linate

The morning of the flight I was supposed to leave home around 9:45/10:00, in order to catch the flight at mid-day
In order to dress myself, close the luggage and have a proper breakfast I set two alarm clocks for 8:45 and 9:00
Or at least this is what I believe I've done

Mistakenly I set the two alarms ONE HOUR LATER. I woke up at 9:45, exactly at the time I was planned to leave
As I was waking up my mother called me asking me if I had already left home
And that's the moment I realized…

After a couple of bad words in the air I immediately search for a shared car and I booked one parked 10 minutes away from my house
In less than 15 minutes I gave myself a brief wash, got my clothes on and closed my luggage

Fortunately the road was kinda empty and at 10:31 I parked the car at Milan-Linate Airport.
The moment I entered the terminal my heart started to beat again…

The boarding gate was already reported

Since I still had one hour before boarding I made my way to ITA Airways check-in counters to try to change my seat
The queue was empty and I got to the desk in no time

When I asked the lady if it was possible to switch my seat into a window one she unpolitely replied "you must pay it"
I accepted my previous sign and went away without further words

I understand that according to my fare the seat selection is charged. But I expect less rude ways to say it…

After a brief breakfast (I had no time to eat rushing to leave home) I proceede straight to the security checkpoint

Airside: SPOTTING AND BOARDING

The whole security process took less than 10 minutes
4 of the 10 lanes were opened, but everything was fast enough
Linate is equipped with high-tech baggage scanners that allows liquids to be over 100mL

The security check-point is followed by the duty free

The departure lounge was quite busy

I went upstairs and found a large window opened towards the busy apron

ITA Airways Airbus A220-300 EI-HHK (painted in "Born to be Sustainable" livery)
Departing to FCO as AZ 2919

Two generations of ITA's liveries…

Aer Lingus Airbus A320 EI-DEL
Waiting to board to DUB as EI 433

Behind it many birds from KLM, British Airways, easyJet, ITA Airways, Iberia and Air France

Gulfstream G550 I-ADVD

ITA Airways Airbus A220-300 EI-HHN
Just landed from BRI as AZ 8009

Lufthansa Airbus A320 D-AIZJ
Taking off to FRA as LH 103

Turkish Airlines Boeing 737-900ER TC-JYO
Supposed to land in MXP from IST as TK 1873, diverted to LIN

According to Flight-Radar the plane was ferried later in the morning to MXP, before departing to AYT

ITA Airways Airbus A319 EI-IMT (painted in 2009 Alitalia's livery)
Departing to NAP as AZ 1299

The departure lounge as seen from the upper floor

Gate A21 is located at the far end of the terminal, in the older part of the building

Our ride for today:
ITA Airways Airbus A320neo EI-HOD, delivered to ITA Airways in August ‘23 (0.2 years old)
The plane is equipped with 180 seats in mixed Business/Economy configuration
It's dedicated to Italian football player Franco Baresi

The previous flight operated by EI-HOD had landed from CAG one hour before

BOARDING AND TAXIING

Boarding procedures commenced four minutes before scheduled
Two queues were available and the operators at the counters were quite fast checking BPs and documents

(Blue) family portrait

Corporate door and fuselage shots

As I got onboard I was welcomed by a smiling middle-aged Pursed
I asked him if any window seat was free and he checked on his tablet
He politely directed me to seat 10A, asking also if the new seat was ok for me
Changing the seat could be charged, but kindness is priceless…

Only the first four rows were dedicated to Business Class
The plane seemed 80-90% full

My new throne…

The view from my seat as the boarding continued

Twenty minutes after the gate was opened "boarding completed" was called
The middle seat next to me was empty, which gave me additional space

The crew made an announcement stating the flight duration would be around 50 minutes
Weather on route would be good, expect for a light turbolence midway
In Rome we expected 22°C and partially cloudy weather

The loading bridge was disconnected minutes before 12:00

A few minutes after we left the gate
Engines were switched on moments later

I really love name signs on airport terminals

Brussels Airlines Airbus A319 OO-SSX
Docked at the gate before leaving to BRU as SN 3148

ITA Airways Airbus A320 EI-DSY
Docked at the gate before leaving to PMO as AZ 1790

I flew with EI-DSY flying back from Paris (via LIN) last August

Air France Airbus A320 F-GKXZ
Supposed to land in MXP from CDG as AF 1830, diverted to LIN

The same destiny of its Turkish parkmate…

SAS Airbus A320 EI-SIU
Supposed to land in MXP from CPH as SK 1685, diverted to LIN

Wondered what happened to those three birds

Heading to runway 36

Always a short taxiing at LIN

THE FLIGHT

Sixteen minutes after scheduled the two Pratt&Whitney engines went full thrust
They sounded so silent even being that close

And in the air

Milan visible right westward of LIN

1. Velasca Tower, built in the 50s by BBPR and famous for its innovative concrete structure
2. Allianz Tower, designed by Arata Isozaki and part of CityLife district. Also known as "The Straight"
3. PWC Tower, designed by Daniel Libeskind and known as "The Curved"

Milan skyline with Alps in the background is such a stunning view

1. Diamond Tower
2. Breda Tower
3. Unicredit Tower, designed by Cesar Pelli and currently the tallest skycraper in Italy
4. Garibaldi Towers
5. "The Vertical Forest" housing complex, the architecture masterpiece of Stefano Boeri
6. Pirelli Tower, currently hosting Lombardy Region Council. The building, designed by Giò Ponti and Pier Luigi Nervi, is the tallest concrete skyscraper in the world. Even if Pirelli is not using it as its HQ it's still know as "Pirellone" (The Big Pirelli)
7. Lombardia Tower, seat of Lombardy's President
8. Milan Central Station with its impressive marble headhouse and steel-and-glass vaults

Right after leaving the ground we banked eastward, pointing south
Alps are visible in the distance

Adda river, flowing eastward of Milan

Climbing over Pianura Padana

Po river, the longest one in Italy, near Piacenza, in Emilia-Romagna region

Parma, halfway between Milan and Bologna
By that time we'd reached our cruise altitude of 31.000 ft.

Getting into the clouds as we approached Appenines mountains

20 minutes into the flight a drink service was delivered
Both crew members were very kind and quick in their duties
I went for a sugar-free coke

As we reached our cruise altitude the crew announced that Wi-Fi connection was available for the flight

Once connected I was automatically redirect to the log-in page, which presented a bar showing the progress of the flight
Three fares were available:
- Messaging, allowing messages without images or videos - 5 USD
- Mailing & Surfing, giving 250Mb of web navigation and e-mails - 10 USD
- Browsing & Streaming, 500Mb comprising also streaming - 15 USD
I decided not to try any of them, even if some free-of-charge features were available.

The connection features a basic airshow which, in my opinion, is a nice touch

Some media contents were available too.
20 italian and international movies, 8 TV shows and lounge music inspired to ITA's destinations
I try to watch a TV serie and the speed seemed quite good

Each row of 3 seats is equipped with 2 powersockets made of a USB-A port and a USB-C one
I tried to recharge my telephone and the recharging speed looked quite standard

Fifteen minutes before 1PM the cabin was set for arrival
We expected sunny weather in Rome with 21°C

Grosseto, in southern Tuscany

Civitavecchia harbour, located 60km north of Rome

Two ferries (Moby and Grimaldi Lines) and two cruise ships (Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises) docked
The sea was quite rough

Banking over the town of Civitavecchia

The countryside north of FCO seemed quite cloudy

Flaps down
We'd land from north, on RWY16L

Last moments on air, crossing A12 motorway
We experienced quite a strong cross-wind as we approached the runway

At 13:05, five minutes before scheduled, we touched down at Rome "Leonardo da Vinci" International Airport
Despite the crosswind the landing was gentle and the brake not too rough

Vacating the runway

Nippon Cargo Airlines Being 747-8F JAI8KZ
Parked at the cargo area

Aeroitalia Boeing 737-800 9H-BRU
Parked at remote stands, later departed to PMO as X2 2802

Recently ITA Airways accused Aeroitalia to have developed a livery too similar to old-Alitalia's one

We parked at a remote gate
Our plane would later fly to AMS

FROM PLANE TO TRAIN

As we waited the stair to be positioned two interesting birds aligned for take-off

United Airlines Boeing 777-200ER N791UA
Taking-off to EWR as UA509

Delta Airlines Airbus A330-300 N820NW
Taking off to JFK as DL 231

In a couple of minutes doors were opened and people disembarked

As I left the plane I thanked again the Purser for the seat change
We got welcomed to Rome by a pleasant warm weather

Our blue bird looked so shiny

As passengers gathered inside the paxbus 6-7 of them took pictures and selfies of the blue bird
This made me really happy for ITA Airways
Most people in Italy (myself too) still have Alitalia in their hearts
Hope this newborn airline will make the same

Some additional spotting as we're bussed to the terminal

Poste Air Cargo Boeing 737Fs

From left to right: Pier A61-83, pier A31-52 and pier A1-10
While the first one was opened last April, the latter will soon close to be totally refurbished

Air France Hop! Embraer E190 F-HBLO
Boarding to CDG as AF 1105

WizzAir Airbus A321neo 9H-WAM
Departing to AUH as W6 7050

Vueling birds parked at pier A1-10

ITA Airways Airbus A320neo EI-IND
Departing to PMO as AZ 1781

We were left at the terminal fifteen minutes after the landing gear touched the runway
I passed throught the newly opened baggage reclaim area of T1

Since my parents were able to pick me up at the airport we decided to meet at Rome Termini Station
This means I'd have use for the first time the airport rail link, called Leonardo Express

The train station serving FCO is located five minutes walking from T1
As I walked to the station I bought the train ticket through Trenitalia's app
The ticket costs 14 € and the ride lasts 32 minuts

The airport shuttle uses a trainset painted in a specific livery
Inside the train large baggages racks are available

I got the 13.38 train to Rome Termini
The train arrived there at 14:15, five minutes behind scheduled
Having tried other airport train services in Europe (CDG, OSL and LGW) I think this one is quite aligned in terms of comfort and price

My mum picked me up at Termini and we arrived at home at 15:10
Five hours door-to-door, more or less the same that happens with high speed train

RETURN BY TRAIN TO MILAN

In the morning of Monday 30th October I travelled back to Milan
With the train leaving at 8:05 my dad and I left around 7:05
Usually it takes less than 30 minutes to get at the station, but driving in Rome in the morning is always a mess

Since the square in front of the station is undergoing major renovations for 2025 Jubilee my father left me at the side entrance of the station
I was 7:30

My train had left Caserta (close to Naples) at 6:45 and was supposed to arrive in Rome at 7:50, fifteen minutes before departing to Milan
However the train arrived almost ten minutes late

Italo-NTV is a private high speed train operator, the first of its kind in Europe.
It operates a fleet of 25 Alstom AGV 575 (in the picture) and 22 ETR675
The train is equipped with 11 cars, divided into three classes: Smart, Prima and Club

Smart economy class
In my modest opinion these seats are a bit hard and tight, but is something bearable for a 3-hour journey
Every seat is equipped with a reading light, a power-plug and a table

The train has also a Wi-Fi connection which, to be honest, is a real pain. The connection is pretty slow and some apps like Spotify doesn't work

Legroom is pretty decent

We left Rome-Termini at 8:09, four minutes later than scheduled
I spent the first half of the journey sleeping
I woke up as we were moving through Florence, even if the train didn't stop there
We had to wait a few minutes for technical problems along the city line

From Florence to Bologna (the sole stop of the journey) the high speed rail travels almost completely under the Appenines
On this section of the line, as along Bologna-Milan branch, trains can reach 300 km/h

We arrived in Bologna almost 20 minutes later than scheduled
Bologna high speed station is completely underground

After leaving Bologna our journey was accompanied by fog along the line
Between Parma and Piacenza, both in Emilia-Romagna region, we encountered a strong rain

Crossing Po river close to Piacenza (Emilia-Romagna region)

Finally arriving in Milan at 11:27, twelve minutes later than scheduled
Love the iron vaults of the station

Milan sweet Home

Thank you for the attention!
See you at the next report…