My first time on ITA Airways' A321neo: this plane should be called "The real Gamechanger"
In the aviation world, the word gamechanger is used and abused. There is the gamechanger, which is the first-class suite of [...]
ITA Airways
SkyTeam
In the aviation world, the word gamechanger is used and abused. There is the Gamechanger, a.k.a. Emirates' first-class suite present on a very small number of 777/300s, a real gem and In my opinion the second best F booth in the world, behind only the incredible Suites on Singapore Airlines' A380. Then there is the Gamechanger so Ryanair calls its 737-8200, a way to avoid reminding passengers that they are flying on a 737max, the one of tragedies and scandals all the time.
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In my opinion ITA's marketing should counter with "The real Gamechanger" because this A321neo is something European passengers have never seen on routes like Amsterdam Rome, or Rome Palermo.
The best bonuses
Seeing the amazement in passengers' faces when they set foot on this plane should be used as a "commercial" by the Italian company to say "hey, how cool is ITA." of course then you have to be careful because from the 321neo to the old A320s or the A330/200 (screzosamente called scassoplano) is a moment. However, it is evident that no distracted passenger realizes that he or she will board a different plane until he or she steps into the cabin.
I remind you I am NOT paid for my reviews, I don't travel for free like influencers do and I also don't request merchandise exchanges where I ask for tickets in exchange for reviews. And to confirm this above you can see the XP points and Flying Blue miles I have accumulated from this flight.
Who flies similar aircraft in Europe
Far be it from me to say that ITA is the only one in Europe flying such aircraft, there is TAP which often flies its A321lr, the same ones it uses for intercontinental. However, they are set up in 2 classes, not 3, and the business class is nowhere near as good as ITA's. Also Turkish regularly uses its A321 in European skies, but it is not a plane set up as well as the one in the blue livery.
Then there are vectors such as Air Europa even flying from Barcelona to Madrid with a 787/8, Finnair often flies from Helsinki to London or Amsterdam with an A350, Iberia does the same from Madrid to London with its flagship, not to mention Lufthansa, which in recent summers has flown the 747 from Frankfurt to Palma de Mallorca.
So in the first case they are the same model, but with poorer outfitting. In the second we are talking about wide-body aircraft, so a different planet. ITA, to date, is the only one that has an A321 set up in 3 real classes: Business, Premium Economy and Economy.
Almost better than Jetblue's Mint
The only real competitor to this plane is, coincidentally, in blue livery and that's what jetBlue uses for intercontinental flights over London, Paris and Amsterdam as well as some transcon routes between one side of the States and the other, so it does not fly to Europe and is not even set up in 3 classes.
Comparing business class at least there is match, which is not the case with the aircraft of TAP, SAS, Aer Lingus the only European carriers flying long-haul with this model.
Even on jetBlue the two seats in the first row are "special" and in fact are called Mint Suites and sold at a high price, which ITA should also do now that these planes will fly to destinations like Jeddah, Tel Aviv or Accra. Or, copy Air France and leave them bookable only by those with Executive status.
The only serious lack of ITA Is that here, as on new long-range aircraft, there is no door that isolates the passenger from the aisle. In contrast, however, the jetBlue passenger flies with his or her back to the window and facing the aisle, which might be uncool to most.
Huge hype on social media
Italians, but not only them, are now used to traveling on planes that are all the same. It does not matter whether we are talking about Wizzair's A321 or Air France's A320neo. All these planes are configured identically, which is the low-cost way. Little space, no frills in any class. Here, however, ITA has gone All IN and the bet is paying off, because the return on image is so high (and I can proudly say. I had written this in the not-so-suspicious times that such an aircraft would make a difference in European skies)
What I'm noticing on social is that many people abroad are looking to fly on ITA's A321neo, changing habits and aiming for a flight with a stopover in Rome rather than for a direct flight, just to fly on this little gem.
The super business class
My "first time" Was supposed to be in December to Tel Aviv, then things turned out differently and so In the end, I was only able to board this car for an Amsterdam/Fiumicino, but today it can also be found on domestic routes from Palermo or Linate, waiting for all examples to leave for medium-haul routes to the Middle East and Africa.
A full review I will do on board a flight longer than 4 hours, where ITA will provide service comparable to intercontinental routes and where I will have the opportunity to experience 100% this aircraft.
The chair, however, I had a chance to test it and I have to say that I was sold on 100%. Plenty of personal space, plenty of room for your belongings, and all the technology you look for from a product like this.
In conclusion
Really good work, of course the overly light interior always puzzles me, but at the time the plane was immaculate. Have you flown in it yet? what do you think leave me your opinion in the comments.