TFC exclusive: here's ITA Airways' new A330/900neo

You know when you buy the car and the delivery day finally comes and you go to the dealership to pick it up? Here it is. Today I had the honor of participating in the handover of keys from Airbus to ITA Airways. of the first A330/900neo in light blue livery, and it was a once-in-a-lifetime day: because it was my first time.

Only three "crashers" aboard the delivery flight

It is a special day. The factory press conference at Airbus, the tour for the FAL, Final Assembly Line at the Toulouse plant, the handover ceremony, and the photo below.

And then me, Matteo Rainisio, and two other journalists. we had the honor of boarding and taking off aboard the first A330/900neo to join the fleet for the national airline, the day after the announcement of the marriage with Lufthansa.

Excluding ITA Airways staff, there were only the three of us: me, Christmas from Avionews and Matteo from Business Traveller.

This aircraft is intended to replace the older A330/200s. former Alitalia that ITA inherited and continue to fly today to intercontinental destinations.

The ceremony

In the past I had received and posted so many photos with the Iconic 3D letters in front of the airplane, but today at the Airbus Delivery Center in Toulouse at the delivery ceremony of ITA Airways' first Airbus A330-900, I was there.

The event was held in the presence of Philippe Mhun, executive vice president programs & Services Airbus, Christophe Molus, senior vice president Airbus at Rolls Royce, Alex Khatibi, vice president marketing and commercial affairs Air Lease Corporation, Riccardo Privitera, ITA Airways flight operations director and Francesco Presicce, chief technology ITA Airways.

Airbus has thus delivered to the flag carrier the first A330neo fully configured for ITA Airways and the only one of its kind.

"Today the strategic partnership with Airbus takes an important step. I am delighted to be personally here in the prestigious Toulouse headquarters on the occasion of the delivery of the first Airbus A330neo completely built according to the new ITA Airways cabin design," said Francesco Presicce, ITA Airways chief technology officer. "With Airbus, which we have chosen as the sole supplier for our fleet, we have set up a special synergy from the very beginning that embraces different areas of collaboration and business development. Always with the goal of materializing a more modern, more comfortable and greener air mobility, equipped with cutting-edge technologies."

ITA Airways' new Airbus is dedicated to Gelindo Bordin, Italian marathon runner and Olympic champion, and follows the Company's strategy of Dedicating its Savoy blue livery aircraft to the glories of Italian sports.

The arrangements

This plane, as happened to The A320 that recently entered the fleet, was configured from scratch according to ITA Airways' guidelines. All other planes-starting with the flagship A350-that had entered service until yesterday were in fact on ready delivery or Kilometer Zero.

The A330neo is configured in three classes of service: 30 business class seats, 24 premium economy seats and 237 economy seats, of which 36 are Comfort Economy seats. The interiors were customized by Walter De Silva, fully incorporating the brand's stylistic features and meeting the need for "people centricity" through a cabin perception that expresses continuity among all classes.

"In designing the interior of ITA Airways' A330neo, the genius of Walter De Silva was inspired by the idea of bringing back to the interior of the aircraft a pleasant feeling and at the same time consistent with the choice of a journey above the clouds," the flag carrier's managers in Toulousea point out.

At the core of the creative concept are elements such as comfort, elegance, simplicity, but above all natural materials and colors. All with one goal in mind: to enhance the quality of life on board, and to ensure maximum passenger well-being at all stages of the flight.

Blue and sand colors are predominant, as is attention to detail, found in the embroidered logo on the headrests, the Italian flag as an identity element, and the Business seat upholstered in fine Italian-made leather with blue vests in the backrest.

The A330neo is also the first aircraft to feature. seats upholstered with stain-resistant fabrics In premium and economy class.

For the business class cabin ITA chose one of the most popular seats: the Thompson Vantage XL, the same one found installed on so many airlines starting with the new Delta One Suite, or the beautiful new Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class.

It's just too bad that ITA decided not to install the version with the ports, a choice that would have made the premium cabin much more modern. Legroom, which in aviation is called pitch, will be 1.1m rising to 1.35 for the first rows.

The other seats, all by Safran, can be found on so many planes around the world. These planes, unlike the A350s will be equipped, then, with Premium Economy as well.

The Y+ chair chosen is the Z535i, equipped with leg supports and a tilt that, thanks to the sliding of the seat as well, reaches almost 30 centimeters, which adds up to a distance between the chairs of almost one meter.

New IFE and Bluetooth connectivity

The latest generation IFE (entertainment) system. is present on all seats, which are equipped with 17.3'' (Business), 15.6'' (Premium Economy) and 13.3'' (Economy) touch-screen Low reflectivity and 4K resolution For a simple and smooth user experience.

With the new system, customers will also be able to view destination information through an interactive 3D map, adding to the range of audio and video content on demand, movies, TV series and music for 372 hours of video programming and 22 hours of audio programming.

The aircraft is also equipped with Bluetooth audio, so you will be able to connect your own headphones without the need for any adapters.

Also on board wi-fi and all seats will have at least one traditional Usb socket and one type C socket, while for Premium and Business there is also a traditional power outlet.

• Airbus