From Rome to Buenos Aires, the maiden flight on ITA Airways' A350 together with Roberto Baggio

This cannot be a review like all the others. And it can't be Because this was not just another flight.

Specifications

Aircraft:

A350/900

Class:

Business

Treat:

FCO - EZE

Price:

1200

Book

The christening of a new aircraft, although-it must be remembered-this is a KM0 A350 that had been sitting for 3 years waiting for a new owner. The flagship of the new flag carrier, with all that such an event entails. ITA chose this flight, on Republic Day, to celebrate the arrival of the first new planes in the fleet even though the other two A350s had taken off the day before heading to the United States.

If on top of that we add that aboard the aircraft named after Roberto Baggio there was just him, the Divine Tail, and that he was sitting in the 3L seat while I was in the 2L seat, you can see why I will hardly forget this trip.

I, who, like all of Italy, had rejoiced over the magical nights and cried over the faded dream against Argentina in '90 and Brazil in '94; I who grew up with the poster of Baggio in my bedroom.. 

All these ingredients combined with theattention that the company put on this flight in terms of on-board staff and influential guests, at the debut of the new catering and to the New uniforms designed by Cucinelli.

This flight was a kind of "one off." a limited and unrepeatable edition, and we were on board. Here's how it went.

Ticket purchase

It is good to remember that here in TFC we pay for the tickets. (almost) always, no matter whether we use credit card or points. Unfortunately, the Volare program is more than a little immature: the feeling is that it was created but absolutely not developed. So ticket paid "cash."

Paradoxical situation with integration with SkyTeam, almost nonexistent even though membership dates back to last October. Unable to use points to buy this flight, Unable to upload points to a program other than Volare or Delta's SkyMiles.

Want to be informed about the Volare program and discuss with other members? Join our dedicated FB group.

In short, an ecosystem that has little to do with the concept of any other airline's loyalty program.

This ticket cost me 1400 euros (round trip): I had managed to take advantage of one of the many Coupons and discount codes that the company advertises almost daily, however, I had been lucky since it was one of the most interesting ever done on the long haul.

Approaching Rome

My journey began in Genoa. The approach flight to Fiumicino was in Superior, the business class on ITA's domestic flights: six months after its debut and my first flight, the situation has not changed much.

Sure, you have the free seat nearby, but the catering on board is still the same: a bag of taralli and a Coke. Best not to go any further.

The new T1

Upon arriving at Fiumicino, since I had almost a 6-hour wait, I went for a ride to Pier A, the one inaugurated by President Mattarella a few days ago. I have to say. ADR's work was really good.

A brand new and really beautiful facility. Sure, there are still works in progress here and there and many stores have yet to open, but the new gate area is modern and the gimmick of having LED screens, complete with photos of where the plane is headed, is a brilliant idea.

In lounge

Having passed the security checkpoint, I headed for the Spanish Steps, ITA's only operational lounge.

For the occasion, the company also reactivated the oven and pizza makers. Everything else is still missing and, especially on normal days, there is still a lack of hot proposals: again, it is time to return to full service.

Excellent as always the bar service, and in general the lounge staff proves to be the real value-added: smiling, courteous and attentive to passengers.

For the occasion, all EZE-bound passengers had access to the lounge, regardless of class or status. Seeing dear old Alitalia House full and with the service almost full was a nice dip into the "world of before." Now, as mentioned, it is AZ's turn to decide to reopen the buffet and offer its guests a new menu, just as it does in the lounges of all premium airlines.

Me & Baggio

I found out that Roberto Baggio would be on board a few days before the flight, but I certainly didn't imagine that I was sitting in front of him.

Like other passengers, I took the opportunity to chat and get some autographs on vintage Hurrà Juventus and his biography: here I had a special dedication made to my sister.

I must say that the Divine Tail was PHENOMENAL.: He didn't say no to anyone, both at the airport and on the plane. Photos, autographs, anecdotes. A number 10 even off the field, a character who when he was the Ballon d'Or didn't go on TV and who, if he played today, probably wouldn't even be on social media making silly TikTok videos.

ITA Airways has thought of everything, taking care of even the smallest details such as the custom headrest, embroidered Baggio effigy and the Buddhist mantra "Nam myoho renge kyo" engraved underneath.

On Board

Of the ribbon-cutting ceremony I wrote in another article, so I focus on the classic flight review. Of course, it can't be a normal flight if your seat neighbor is named Roberto Baggio.

There are currently three A350s in the fleet, the fourth will arrive next week and the last two by July, in time to respond to the peak summer period.

The change from the class Magnifica of Alitalia and to the A330s still in service today is total. New colors, new seats, new entertainment system. There is only one confirmation, which is the 1-2-1 layout, the configuration that gives all passengers direct aisle access and thus freedom of movement.

The seat of the business class cabin is the Collins Aerospace Super Diamond, one of the best products available on the market. Aeromexico uses the same configuration on its 787/9s.. Also British Airways installed it on board, but in a different configuration not only in design, but also in the fact that there is a door that totally isolates the passenger from the aisle.

My seat, 2L, was the first in the right row. When I can, I always try to take the first row because that is the one that almost always gives the passenger the most space, and that was the case on board this A350/900 as well.

The middle seat configuration does not include honeymoon chairs, as on the old Magnifica class: this is unfortunate, especially when traveling as a couple or with children. On the other hand, however, there is plenty of legroom for all passengers.

The colors chosen by De Silva are very soothing: sure, it may look like a cabin with less character than to Alitalia's old business, but I really like the contrast with the all-blue livery and the clear cab.

The armchair is operated from the small touch screen above the armrest. The model again is basic: there are no extra functions such as massage or the ability to manage seat stiffness.

There is also a button on the display that should turn on a courtesy light at the bottom of the console where the legs are, or at least that's how it works aboard the other planes where I found this seat. Here, however, nothing turns on/off.

What I really like about this model is the presence of so much space for the passenger. There are as many as four containers where you can hide your belongings, in addition to the hat box.

Two are in the console: the first deeper one houses the power outlet, two USB sockets, and the IFE remote control. The second is perfect for passport, cell phone and wallet.

Then there is a well in the outer armrest (inside are headphones for watching TV). Armrest that, if desired, can be lowered, giving a few more inches of space: great for getting up without having to fold down the coffee table.

The last available storage space is a small cockpit under the console.

The table is fixed under the screen, slides on a track, and folds open, the same model found on the other companies.

One thing that stands out is the chair's attention to detail: the little tricolor on the headrest, the colors of the cabin, all designed by a design genius like Walter de Silva.

The seat becomes a bed, comfortable. However, it is a pity that ITA does not provide a small mat that can be applied over the seat to make it more comfortable.

Passengers are given a quilt - tiny, actually - and a pillow. All in a plastic bag: I would have liked a more Green approach, similar to what other companies have done which have replaced plastic with other materials, such as a washable bag.

The only real flaw of this configuration is that the 33 Business class passengers have only two bathrooms available to them in the front of the plane, but in general there is a sense that having taken a KM0 forced the company to adapt to an already configured vehicle.

At least for the inaugural flight I would have expected a little flower in the vase in the business bathrooms. Bathrooms that are absolutely bare, there are no creams or other special products as there are in the competition.

Last but not least, at least for me, the presence of the personal air vents above the seat.

On-board service

This is perhaps the most difficult aspect to review: you have to see on a normal flight what it will be like, in this case everyone was super attentive because of the importance of the event. The staff was always present unlike the classic night flight where, after dinner is over, the lights go out and no one comes by. 

True to the concept of "throw nothing away" the courtesy kit is still the one from Alitalia. The clutch bag branded Magnifica by Salvatore Ferragamo offers everything you would expect, with quality products.

Food and beverage

As soon as on board, a welcome drink was offered., while menu and wine list were already on the armchair. Today, as mentioned, also debuts the New on-board catering featuring dishes prepared by Michelin-starred chef Bartolini.

Of course, I sacrificed myself and tried the recipes recommended by the menu curator. 

Excellent that the service is by the plate, and not by the tray. Dishes are served one after another, as in a restaurant and not in a single tray as some carriers unfortunately do even in business. Chapeau ITA Airways.

A small amuse-bouche with a cetara anchovy.

Octopus and shrimp salad. Rated 7.5

The revisiting of pappa al pomodoro. Rated 8

Free-range chicken duck with Amalfi scents. Rated 7

For dessert I went for the only dessert on the menu: a pear confit with chocolate, mascarpone cream and puffed rice. Rated 6-, definitely the least successful and difficult dish to eat with the spoon provided.

More than good wine list, 100% made in Italy. Sure, the rest of the world companies offer champagne, but the Italian metodo classico has nothing to envy. Maybe I would add a prosecco to offer a different product.

In addition to Ferrari Maximum Blanc de Blancs, ITA offers a true journey through the wines of Italy, from Greco di Tufo to Barbera d'Asti.

Unfortunately, there is no snack area on board for business class passengers. It was confirmed to me by the crew that there is no room, and that probably the last two A350s to enter service, the ones that will come directly from Airbus, may have a different configuration.

Halfway through the flight I ordered a pizzetta margherita from the menu and it was served in a very few minutes.

About 90 minutes after landing, breakfast was served. I opted for the savory proposal. Good sausage, omelet not too hot. Overall, however, a full sufficiency.

IFE

Here there are mixed feelings. The hardware is state-of-the-art and the interface is Android-based, but it is the UX that is unattractive.

The graphics are not pleasant and look hastily done, with low quality images and all stock stuff, nothing proprietary.

True, there are more important things to do, but it's the details that make the difference. The security video, the one that replaced the physical staff demonstration, is the very old one from Alitalia. Other companies, by Air France at Air New Zealand, have some videos that are true short films set in the most iconic places of the nations they represent.

Here, on the other hand, it is a remnant with the posthumous addition of a few ITA Airways logos here and there. Without even cutting the Final screen reminding passengers of the presence of the airbag in the belt, which these chairs obviously do not have.

The controller is state-of-the-art, much more modern than what is found on other companies. It is even equipped with a camera, which is not currently usable, however.

However, everything is still precarious and nonfunctional.

There is still no Wi-fi, and that for a 14-hour flight is a real drama, at least for my habits.

External webcams have not yet been activated, there are no live TV channels.  There are menu items that lead nowhere, as well as completely empty sections. Now we hope that, like the website, there will be a redesign of this interface as soon as possible.

Multimedia content offerings are much poorer than the competition: there are 56 movies (7 Italian), a dozen TV series, a music selection and a few games. Enough.

There is no ability to connect Bluetooth headsets to the IFE, and there is no messaging function to chat with passengers seated elsewhere on the plane. I could bet that these are native features on the system, but were not configured/activated as a matter of time.

This is not a problem for me, as I always travel with my portable Bluetooth adapter so that I can connect my Airpods Max in 5 seconds and completely isolate myself from the cabin, but within the safety regulations.

In conclusion

The summary of this trip is all in this photo. Roberto Baggio photographing "his" plane minutes after landing in Buenos Aires.

Of course, this A350 is still immature and staff still need to become familiar with this new machine, but the basics are there. Now we wait for the rest of the fleet and especially to know who will be the new majority shareholder destined to lead ITA Airways to the ultimate relaunch.

This is just one of many reviews you can read on our site. Every Wednesday we publish a review of a lounge airport, while every Friday you can read the review of one of our flights or a hotel where we stayed.

The verdict

It is the plane of restart. It was a real experience, however, several details are missing. Wifi on long-haul is now an essential standard, prompting a traveler to take a different plane. In general, the new catering is top-notch, as per tradition. The seating is modern and the configuration is top notch. The IFE has a lot of untapped potential today.

7.5

Service

8.5

IFE

6

F&B

8

Cabin and Armchair

7

Pro

• The chair
• The gastronomic offerings

Against

• IFE is a disappointment
• No Wifi