Review of ITA Airways flight from Rome to Toronto in Economy

ITY

AZ - ITA Airways

Flight taken on 16 September 2024
AZ650
10:15 09h 50m 14:05
Class Economy
Seat 39A
Trent_XWB
852 · 149 · 1 · 28

Hi, dear flight-report members and readers!

In this FR I'd like to present a detailed review of ITA Airways A330-900neo on a long-haul flight from Rome Fiumicino (FCO) to Toronto Pearson (YYZ), taken on 16 September 2024. 


Intro


ITA Airways is more healthy reincarnation of old ill-fated Alitalia, born in 2021 and inherited the same IATA code AZ. 

Whereas old AZ had B77Es and Embraers in the fleet, the new AZ is all-Airbus, having A359s, A339s, A332s (heritage of the old AZ, due to phase out), A21Ns, A20Ns, A320s and A319s (both types also from old AZ), A223s and A221s. 

Their newest widebodies are A339s, which AZ started to receive from 2023.

Sometimes AZ has decent fares to Northern American destinations. My ticket FCO-YYZ-FCO costed 470 EUR for the lowest fare without luggage and with random seat allocation at check-in. BTW, the return flight was operated by old A332 with extremely crappy cabin, so the experiences on FCO-YYZ and YYZ-FCO were very different (but the crews and the service were nice in both cases).

At the moment of these flights AZ was a Skyteam member, but later in 2024 became part of Lufthansa Group and transitioned into Star Alliance. Considering how messy is the LHG structure, one can doubt whether it will be better for AZ's passengers…


A330-900 operators


Being the lates (and the last) A300 descendant, A339 is just beginning to gain popularity, because the world is currently in the beginning of the replacement cycle of large A333 and A332 fleets. B789 had better timing to gain popularity among old A330ceo operators, so A339 was in the shadows until the cycle began for the newer ceos. 

The newer-gen RR Trent 7000 engines makes A339 so versatile that shorter A338 (which has phenomenal range) turned to be a non-seller with only 7 unit delivered (4 to Kuwait Airways, 2 to Uganda Airlines and 1 to Air Greenland).

It would be interesting to list all the world's current A339 operators.

1) Aircalin: 2 units, (C26_W21_Y244, 2-4-2 Y). 

2) Air Cote d'Ivoire: 1 unit, (F4_C44_W21_Y173, 2-4-2 Y). The world's first and only 4-class A339 operator.

3) Air Mauritius: 2 units, (C28_Y260, 2-4-2 Y).

4) Air Senegal: 2 units, (C32_W21_Y237, 2-4-2 Y). Not operated due to non-profitability for the airline.

5) Azul Brazilian Airlines: 5 units, (C34_Y264, 2-4-2 Y). The LOPA and seat models are identical to the TAP's units.

6) Cebu Pacific: 12 units, (Y459 , 3-3-3 Y). The world's most dense A330s.

7) Condor: 18 units, (C30_W64_Y216 , 2-4-2 Y).

8) Corsair International: 9 units, (C20_W21_Y311 , 3-3-3 Y).

9) Delta Air Lines: 39 units, (C29_W28_Y224, 2-4-2 Y). World's largest A330neo operator.

10) Garuda Indonesia: 3 units (C24_Y277, 2-4-2 Y) plus 2 units (W42_Y323).

11) Iberojet: 1 unit, (Y388, 3-3-3 Y).

12) ITA Airways: 11 units, (C30_W24_Y237, 2-4-2 Y).

13) Kuwait Airways: 3 units, (C32_W21_Y225, 2-4-2 Y).

14) Lion Air: 8 units, (Y440/Y436, 3-3-3 Y).

15) Malaysia Airlines: 7 units, (C28_Y269, 2-4-2 Y).

16) Starlux Airlines: 5 units, (C28_Y269, 2-4-2 Y).

17) Sunclass Airlines: 2 units, (Y373/385, 3-3-3 Y).

18) TAP Air Portugal: 19 units, (C34_Y264, 2-4-2 Y).

19) Virgin Atlantic: 8 units, (C32_W46_Y184, 2-4-2 Y).

So, there are currently only 2 legacy A339 operators with significant fleets: DL and TP. Though, AZ will soon join them with 6 more 339s on order. A339 is quite popular among leisure carriers (which push ultra-tight 3-3-3 economy layout into it) and among some South-East Asian lowcosts, which are able to make it work in their business models.


Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)


ITA operates from Terminal 1 in Fiumicino, which got significant overhaul several years ago, so the main concourse area, assigned to AZ and Delta, is very pleasant. The other airlines operate from mid-field concourse, which is connected with T1 by shuttle train.


The Aircraft


My flight AZ650 was operated by the fresh, 2024-built EI-TYB. It was not possible to have a decent view from the gate, only the front view. Also on this photo you see how popular is Rome for US tourists with all the US3 having a load of daily flights from their multiple US hubs.


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RR Trent 7000 engine.


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In the summer 2024 I lived for a while in Ostia, and quite often widebodies, landing in FCO, were passing over my balcony, so I spotted a lot of AZ's birds, including A339. Let this photo be a kind of compensation for the inability to see EI-TYB at the decent angle from the gate.


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Boarding


Due to the lowest economy fare, I was not able to select a seat at check-in, and random allocation assigned me an aisle seat in a 4-seater block in the rear cabin. I tried to change it at the check-in desk at T1, but was told that I had to pay 50 EUR (the same as on the website), so I gave up until the gate. At the gate I managed to change the seat for free to 39A in the front economy cabin, but lost the possibility to board in the first group. 


The 2L door


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The Premium Economy Cabin


To the right, there is rather small premium economy cabin, consisting of 24 hard-shell Safran Z535i seats in 2-3-2 layout, looking very stylish.





The Economy Cabin


Then follows 2 more or less equally large economy cabins, consisting of 237 seats in total in 2-4-2 layout. Because due to the seat change I missed the opportunity to board first, the views of the cabins were already obstructed.


The front economy cabin. The front row 30 is extra legroom, and the next 4 rows (31 to 34) have increased pitch (34"). These rows have white antimacassars. Then follows standard rows with 31" pitch. Please notice that the last row (42) of this cabin has misaligned window. You may have noticed, how dirty is the beige fabric upholstery on a new plane…





   





The rear economy cabin was full to the brim, and I only managed to take photos of the front row.


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And there's something worrying. Inoperative seats on a new plane of just several months old?!


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The Economy Seat


My seat for today is 39A in the front economy cabin over the wing. When I got to my seat, I discovered that the front economy cabin is far from full and the 39C seat was empty. Moreover, the seats 38AC in front of me also were empty, even though the ITA app was showing them "occupied" before boarding! WTF?! If I knew, I wouldn't have changed my seat to be able to take photos of the empty cabin and then simply move to 38AC! Very frustrating…


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The seat model is the newer Safran Z400. While I highly appreciate the previous Z300 model and consider it as one of the best for longhaul flights, I immediatly felt that something was wrong with this new model. The seatback! It was too thin, like Recaro one. What's happened with Safran?! Has it started to roll downhill?! 


At least the seatwidth is generous 18", so kudos to AZ at least for this (on my return flight I discovered that old A332s have Recaro seats with miserable 16.5" width, which is definitely an anti-record for 2-4-2 A330!). 


The seat has adjustable headrest, narrowish armrests, a very large IFE screen with USB and USB-C ports, coat hanger, tray table and seat pocket. There is a noticeable underseat power box, but not very annoying due to the wide seat and the vacant seat near me. Waiting on the seat are pillow and blanket.





In the seat pocket there's only safety card.


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The crew handed simple headsets.


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The overhead panel is standard with no individual airvents.


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The Flight


Safety video is played…


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… and the cabin is lit with beautiful mood lighting.


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Pushback begins, flaps in the takeoff mode. The winglet of the renewed wing looks beautiful.


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The moodlighting is changed to deep blue.


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Taking off from FCO and beginning our 9-hours flight to North America


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Flaps up.


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The moodlighting is changed to light blue


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The seatback with the flight map. Further I'll show more IFE content.


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The moodlighting is switched again to the "cruise mode" - vibrant blue plus orange. Cool!


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Time to stretch the legs. A view of the front economy cabin…


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… and of the rear economy cabin.


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Wing view from the 3L door.


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The rear lavatories are pretty standard in size…


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… but the others are tight with tiny sinks, like in lowcost A21N/A20N.


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As we're crossing France…


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… the first meal service begins. I choose meatballs, which are complimented with antipasti, focaccia, butter, crackers and dessert. Everything is tasty, but the downside is the size of the hot dish (it could be a bit larger) and plastic cutlery. I also take a battery of drinks.





But the smaller size of the meal is not a problem on a not fully loaded flight. I ask for addition and this time try lasagna, which is also tasty. Two meals are definitely enough for me.


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We're leaving Europe over Brest and now it will be only ocean for hours.


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Time to explore the IFE. Lord, I can honestly say that it's the best IFE I've ever seen on a plane! A huge crispy screen, a huge selection of content, excellent flight map with a plenty of views.





Moreover, there is an excellent guide on AZ destinations. I've never seen so detailed guide! 


For example, Buenos Aires:





Sao Paulo:





Tokyo:





Jerusalem:


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Tel Aviv:


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Over the North Atlantic I slept for a while (thanks to the vacant 39C, it was much better to sleep semi-laid-down than sitting in the paper-thin Z400!) and then watched "The Baywatch" series with David Hasselhoff (which made me nostalgic of his another role of Michael Knight in Knight Rider - my favourite TV series of my childhood).


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Now we're entering Canadian airspace.


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Time to stretch the legs again. The cabin is in semi-dark and lit with deep blue. A view of the front economy cabin.


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Couple of views of the rear economy cabin.


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The galley with snacks and drinks.


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My catch.


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Meanwhile we're flying over St. Lawrence river.


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The second meal service consists only of a humble sandwich, so it was a good idea to eat two first meals.


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The cabin is lit with deep blue, but passengers start to open their shades.


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After Ottawa we start our descent to Toronto.


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Probably here St. Lawrence river starts from lake Ontario.


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Left turn over East Canadian plains.


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Spoilers deployed.


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Toronto in sight.


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Final approach…


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… and landing.


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The moodlighting after landing.


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The Economy Cabin After The Flight


A couple of views of the rear economy cabin upon disembarkment…


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… and of the front economy cabin.





The Premium Economy Cabin After The Flight


Some detailed views of the sleek premium economy cabin upon disembarkment.





The Business Class Cabin After The Flight


The crew (which were very welcoming and hospitable) permitted me to visit the sleek and stylish business class cabin (between 1L/R and 2L/R doors). It consists of 30 Thompson Vantage XL seats in 1-2-1 layout. Though these seats are not suites, they look very modern. Please note that row 1 has ample footspace compared to standard footwells in the other rows.





   





And now it's time to say goodbye to EI-TYB and to the friendly Italian crew.


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RR Trent 7000 engine.


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ITA operates from the midfield concourse of T1 in YYZ. TAP Portugal and some Canadian lowcosts and leisure airlines also operates from here. The last view of EI-TYB from the bus, taking the passengers to the T1 main building.


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Thank you for your attention and see you in the next FRs!

Display all

Product ratings

Airline

ITA Airways 8.5

  • Cabin7.5 / 10
  • Cabin crew9.0 / 10
  • Entertainment/wifi10.0 / 10
  • Meal/catering7.5 / 10
Departure airport

Rome - FCO7.6

  • Efficiency8.5 / 10
  • Access6.0 / 10
  • Services7.5 / 10
  • Cleanliness8.5 / 10
Arrival Airport

Toronto - YYZ8.6

  • Efficiency8.5 / 10
  • Access9.0 / 10
  • Services8.0 / 10
  • Cleanliness9.0 / 10

Conclusion

It was a pleasant flight onboard new, sleek and spacious ITA's A339 with friendly crew, quite good service and amazing IFE (probably the best in the world!). Though, there is a serious drawback - the economy seat model. Safran Z400 has very thin seatback compared to venerable Z300 and it's not suitable for long-haul flights. Thankfully, I had and empty seat near me and it offset the seat drawbacks. Also, greedy check-in process and the seatmap in the ITA app, misinforming about available seats, are frustrating. A little chance that it will improve under Lufthansa Group management. Hopefully, at least the ITA's crews will remain friendly.

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Comments (1)

  • With its quirks and all, I find ITA to be a great airline. I still have the remote hope its charm survives LHG management...

    Thanks for sharing!

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