Trip Report – Alitalia B777-200ER Magnifica Business Class FCO-JFK

by Adam Last updated January 9, 2014

Alitalia completed reconfiguring its entire fleet of ten Boeing 777 aircraft in July 2012, all with the same layout and amenities as the Magnifica business class on the former Air One A330 aircraft. I’ve previously written about my very pleasant experience on the A330 (Alitalia A330 Trip Report JFK-Rome (FCO) – Very Impressed – Lie-Flat & Excellent Food in Magnifica Business Class). Alitalia gets a previously much deserved bum rap when it comes to their long-haul product, however both their 777 and A330 service is quite good now – definitely better than Air France and non upgraded KLM.

This is the final part of a twelve part trip report from my travels to Prague, Nice, Bratislava, Sorrento, and Rome. This trip picture report covers Alitalia’s new Magnifica Business Class on the Boeing 777-200ER.

The aircraft features Alitalia’s updated Magnifica business class which includes fully flat leather seats (duvets and pillows provided), 1-2-1 seating, Bulgari amenity kits, 15.4 inch LCD screens with on-demand entertainment, USB charging and play-back, power plugs, quality noise-canceling headphones, and excellent food. The 30 flat-bed seats have 180 degree recline. Note that the external camera is only available on the A330 fleet.

Prior to boarding I took advantage of the Alitalia Giotto Lounge Rome. Upon arriving to the gate, it was chaos and I was very happy that I was in business class (SkyPriority boarding access was also available).

The purser was extremely friendly and came by to greet each passenger. She welcomed each passenger in either English or Italian and I was happy to receive Italian…not that I understood anything. I later let her know I spoke English and she responded that I looked just like her Italian nephew with my dark hair and facial hair…

She also handed out the amenity kits and Bulgari sets (separate men’s and women’s)…

Entertainment – Funny story here. Everyone in business had their window shades closed on this daytime flight to view the movies. However, one passenger two rows behind seemed to enjoy adding a little bit of glare to everyone else’s screen. I asked the purser if she’d mind seeing if the passenger would have a problem lowering their shade. She told me that she thought it was better for one of the male attendants to ask and that there would be a better shot of her being OK with it! Well, it worked. She came back over to tell me “it’s very good psychology, works every time. Us Italians speak romance”. She was quite proud and I was happy!

I actually enjoyed the “city-bits” which are displayed on the cabin screens as you fly over select cities – You can see Nice, Boston, and NYC below…

My favorite part of flying Alitalia Magnifica Business is the food. We are talking fresh pasta with Parmesan cheese lightly spooned on top, great fish and chicken entrees, and awesome desserts and wine. I like the cart service and how the flight attendants work together to prepare your plate. Some extra olive oil on top…yes please!

This flight’s menu had a bit too much ham for me, but otherwise everything was fantastic!

Appetizer
Zibello cullatello with quince jam and mixed vegetables
Smoked salmon herbs tartare
Parmigiano Reggiano flan with mushroom ragout

Lunch
Large herbs filled dumplins with bechamel sauce
Pasta with Pdo San Marzano tomatoes and basil

Entrees
Parma rose-like meat roll with Marsala, Lambrusco and rosemary sauce
Romagna fish-roll in corn crust with minth courgettes

Side dishes
Buttered spinach
Breadcrumb tomatoes
Sauteed potatoes
Green salad

Desserts
Vanilla flavoured butter mousse with amaretti and savoiardi biscuits
Maria Luigia cake
Fresh seasonal fruit

Snack
Strolghino and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese flakes
Parmigiano Reggiano quiche with San Secondo shoulder (ham)
Olive oil and oregano bread
Fresh seasonal fruit

Half and half of each dish is fine…

Still hungry? Here are the snacks set up mid-flight:

That flat-bed seat…

Jones Beach and Long Island’s South Shore upon landing…

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Adam

Adam is the proud Founder and CEO of both Point Me to the Plane and point.me. An international consultant turned TV programming strategist, Adam currently works full-time on both websites. His obsession with points and miles dates back to his freshman year at college. After browsing Flyertalk and Mileage Workshop, Adam pulled the trigger and signed up for his first Citibank AAdvantage credit card and MCI phone line (yes, landlines still existed). Back then, both deals were churnable and in no time at all, the college freshman had enough miles to travel to Europe and Asia in First Class for free, multiple times. Needless to say, he was hooked! Fast forward a few years and Adam of course ended up in a career with a heavy travel requirement…which meant extra miles for awards! As his colleagues and friends started to hear about and see pictures from his trips, they wanted in on the secret and Adam began to assist them with their bookings, Juicy Miles was born. At the same time, Adam started an email newsletter to prevent those less obsessed co-workers from squandering their point collection opportunities. The bi-weekly email covered everything from upcoming promotions, guidance on maximizing points, and redemption advice. The distribution quickly expanded outside the office and Point Me to the Plane became a BoardingArea blog.

Fake PDF Statements for Status Matches – Reader Question

13 comments

Rich October 30, 2013 - 8:42 pm

I recently flew the alitalia. 777 also and the A330 back the 777 seats are actually bigger and have more room between them and then the A330 on alitalia , Not to mention the huge handicapped bathroom on the 777 in magnificent class !!

stacey October 30, 2013 - 9:14 pm

Hey Adam, great review! That pasta looks so good 🙂

Question – where’s the best place to search for award avail on the LAX route? Do you ever see it come available? Which miles are best to use?

Thanks!

Shannon October 31, 2013 - 7:48 pm

The purser should just send you to ask lady to lower the shield, Adam. You are handsome, cut and charming!

Shannon October 31, 2013 - 7:48 pm

The purser should just send you to ask lady to lower the shield, Adam. You are handsome, cutE and charming!

adam October 31, 2013 - 7:58 pm

@Shannon – Haha, your too sweet! Very different meanings with and without the E

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