ALITALIA INAUGURATES LAX TO ROME ROUTE

Ever dreamed of a weekend getaway to imbibe vino rosso in the shadow of the Coliseum? With Alitalia’s new LAX to Rome direct flight, it’s easier than ever. Alitalia is the only airline to offer a direct flight from the West Coast to the eternal city. Passengers can sit back and enjoy the 11-hour flight on the new Alitalia premiere service to Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumincino Airport and arrive in time for lunch, allowing for a full afternoon of museum strolling within hours of touchdown.

The expansion into Los Angeles marks Alitalia’s 7th city in North America to offer a direct connection to Rome and the airline’s 79th destination worldwide. The nonstop LAX–Rome route is expected to strengthen California’s business, tourism, and cultural ties with one of the most desirable European cities, while providing improved connecting services to a number of southern European destinations.

When Alitalia merged with competitor Air One in 2009, they subsequently formed an all-new private corporation with new management and direction. Since the reorganization, Alitalia has succeeded in providing impeccable service with the panache and pride only Italians can offer, from the moment that passengers board the newly-fitted planes. This new initiative for luxury and service is spearheaded by Alitalia’s upgrade of their Magnifica business class, which is featured on the LAX-Rome route. The cabin is tastefully designed with striking attention to detail and presentation, and the new service is nothing short of magnifico. Business class offers a cornucopia of luxe amenities like Italian-made silverware and linens,  full-reclining beds (to be introduced in 2011), and award-winning seasonal menus and wine pairings.

Menus in Magnifica class feature a different Italian region in each season with meals paired to Italian wines by the Italian Sommelier Association, including a 2007 Gaiole in chianti that is to die for. Tuscany menu features excellent meats of the White Beef of the Central Apennines, Pecorino Toscano Pdo cheese, the Chianti Classico Pdo and Terre di Siena Pdo extra virgin olive oils. Hors d’oeuvres include mouth-watering prosciutto toscano, pecorino toscano and salad of baby chicken Livornese with tomato mash and zesty panzanella. First  courses include fornaia-style pasta asciutta or potato gnocchi with creamy ricotta and spinach in aromatic monk fish sauce. Next, passengers choose calamari all’inzimino or beef tagliata with oven-roasted potatoes and gratin asparagus with egg. Italian cuisine shines in the realm of desserts and the Alitalia menu offerings are no exception. The panpepato, traditional chocolate cake, is packed with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and a touch of warming black pepper and pairs beautifully with dessert wines, coffee and gourmet cheeses. So what are you waiting for? Mangiare in Italia!

Alitalia’s flights are scheduled to depart from Terminal 2 at 3:25 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.