How to fly in Economy on ITA Airways' A330neo
Six months later, I was finally able to try out the new economy class cabin aboard the new [...]
ITA Airways
SkyTeam
JFK
United States of America
Six months later, I was finally able to try the New economy class cabin on board the new A330/900neo of ITA Airways, the same model of aircraft that I was lucky enough to pick up at the factory last May 26..
In this article:
I should have flown there in June, But fate had something else planned for me, and eventually I had ended up on the "old" A330/200 ex-Alitalia, an aircraft that is set to leave the ITA fleet gradually until the summer of 2025.
So when in November cashback offer popped up on American Express. 100€ on expenses in ITA tickets, I didn't let the opportunity pass me by.
Reservation
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No Flying Points, Unfortunately, there is no award chart yet and so ticket paid cash while also taking advantage of one of the usual promos that ITA launches in which they discounted the tickets and so to fly economy outward and premium economy return, I spent just under €700. From which to obviously scale down the 100€ Amex.
Not bad at all, although I could have taken a/r in economy for just over 300, but then I would not have taken advantage of Amex's CB.
At the airport
As always, my flights leave, when it comes to ITA, always from Genoa, approach flight to Fiumicino with the A220/300 and then transition from T1 to T3.
Before going to the ITA lounge, thanks to the status of course, I visited Prima Vista and I must say that I was really pleasantly surprised by this new lounge which opened in early summer 2023.
Flight departing from gate E24, the last one at the end of terminal 3, on one side ITA's JFK, on the other side Wizz Air's AUH, I will never understand how the gates are used, with all the passengers crossing lines, when other gates were deserted.
Embarked fairly quickly and on time, except then stood waiting for some delayed transit passengers.
On board
The A330neo is a beautiful aircraft, the thing I like about the A330 is the 2-4-2 economy configuration, it is the best of all wide-body aircraft among modern aircraft. Only two seats in the outer rows means so much. All the others are 3-3-3 not to mention the A380, my beloved A380 where it is 3-4-3.
Only two passengers means that if you travel as a couple you will be like in premium economy, if you travel alone (window side) you will have to override only 1 passenger. In my case then I was very lucky, although the economy was fairly full, I did not have any neighbors.
I could have also chosen the economy comfort seats, but in the end I tried to travel with the regular seat, taking advantage of the fact that as an Executive Volare I did not even pay for the seat choice.
The armchair is the one I admired in Toulouse., the only difference is that the light, almost white color is now a uniform dirty gray. Unfortunately, it is a BEAUTIFUL shade, but too delicate.
What I didn't like about this flight
Unfortunately, ITA Airways higher-ups don't listen to the bum's advice (And they probably don't look at the reviews I give of the competition). The flaws are in the organization of work on board that should include some changes and that would make passengers more relaxed and the crew less stressed by "agitated" passengers.
- Headphones should be distributed before takeoff, as is the case in 90% of cases
- The IFE system should be active immediately, when you set foot on the plane, not just before takeoff when the security video starts
- Before the lunch service should pass with a cart to offer an initial beverage
- Wi-fi must be sold on a time basis, not by traffic, also because prices are definitely high compared to competitors (who moreover sell by time and not by traffic)
- There are NO vents ventilation
The gem of this flight
I found a CRAZY movie, I didn't watch it because I saved it for the return flight (overnight) i.e. GREMLINS.
A 1984 film, but for me is not a movie like all the others this was the first movie I saw in the cinema alone with my friend and without parents. Actually, my friend John's dad was sitting a few rows behind us, but I remember feeling ADULT an almost horror movie (for a 7-year-old) by myself that afternoon. Pure transgression.
What I liked about this flight
I am convinced that the choice of a 100% Airbus fleet is best for passengers (as I'm sure 9 out of 10 FAs were rooting for Boeing instead). The 330neo is an evolution of the original 330, quieter, with roomier hatboxes, a very relaxing lef lighting.
- Flight attendants super present, of course I often get reports to the contrary, but I must say that certain attitudes I used to see in the past today on ITA did not happen to me. Halfway through the flight they even did the classic "drink" to bring water to awake passengers
- Food & Beverage. When I fly economy I never drink alcohol, I don't know why. Between the cannelloni and the meatballs I got the meat, and although a tad asicutta, they weren't bad.
- IFE screen by FEAR, one of the best I have found around in my flights, as a size we are above some business class screens. 4K resolution, little glare with lots of light, and most importantly bluetooth connectivity. Within 10 seconds my Airpods Max were connected, no need to use my classic bluetooth adapter
- Right cabin temperature, at first we did the sauna, but soon it went smoothly and the whole flight was perfect.
- NO CHILDREN crying. An unbelievable thing, on my last flight with Etihad in business it was worse than an orphanage where Gargamel had arrived, here nothing (cough aside)
In conclusion
If you want to know all the details of the seat you can watch of course my video of the delivery of the plane, in which I also explain the best/worst seats on board.
On JFK ITA flies 3 different planes, obviously the 330/200 is the least comfortable one, if I had to choose between the 330neo or the 350 to fly economy, I would probably choose this one.
Certainly the flight quality (air, noise, comfort) of the 350 can't be beaten, but here the configuration and IFE are definitely better than on the blue livery flagship.
