Review of ITA Airways flight from Madrid to Rome in Economy

INTRODUCTION

Hello amigos,

This is the first part of a FR series of a trip to Greece I took back in the Summer of 2022. 

It turned out that ITA was the cheapest option along with Air Europa (which was flying 787s on the MAD-ATH run), as I have Volare Premium status… I chose ITA, because I wanted to try the "new" Alitalia,  plus it meant more flights (AvGeek logic).

At Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suarez Intl. Airport

I drove a rideshare car to the airport, it was a pleasant 12 minute drive from my flat.

The check in hall at T2 is one of the few decent parts of the T123 complex. It is airy and never feels cramped. ITA's check in desks are located at the far end of the hall.

Once checked in, and through security one is into the "dungeon", a whole different deal from the check in hall.

We waited for our flight at the AENA Puerta de Alcalá Lounge…it was quite empty

Our ride arrived, carrying still the defunct Alitalia colours

So back into the "dungeon"…where a crowd was already gathering

An odd Airbus amongst 737s…

Boarding was chaotic, the covid-era back to front boarding was still in place, but in general all boardings with AZ have been chaotic.

Onboard ITA (or Alitalia?) A320

The cabin remain basically untouched from the previous airline. The only change was that the antimacasar said "ITA" 

I reached my seat…and just as I remembered from my only AZ flight…it was tight! 
Even more so as I was forced to carry my suit with me.

Wing view

cabin view

The "new" safety cards

An Aegean A320 arrived from Athens…this would have been my initial choice, but it was way costlier than flying AZ.

Enroute to Rome

The plane was packed…and along with the chaotic boarding, it took its fair amout of time to have everyone seated and ready to go. We basically crossed all of MAD to reach RWY 14L 

From where we took off and then turned left towards the Mediterranean

We had some nice views of Madrid in the distance

As it was the middle of the summer…central Spain had its characteristic yellow colour

We flew over Zaragoza…and one could see the difference where the Ebro irrigates the land. 

As we entered Catalunya the Pyrenees 

By then, we got our inflight service of some snacks (sweet or salty) and a drink. A welcome change from the non existent service with Iberia

The cups were still Alitalia's

We were then over the Mediterranean and went over Sardinia

Then, descent was announced.

One of the fist sights at FCO is to this sad Alitalia graveyard

But then on a happier note, we were greeted by FCO's newest pier

With a smart lineup of blue jets. Lovely

And this was the end of the first leg of our trip.