Flights Alitalia returns to Dulles with non-stop to Rome

[Jim Zurer]

I just read this in the "Joe Sent Me" travel newsletter...

Alitalia Returns to Washington/Dulles With New Flights to Rome
Only in Italy could a dead-airline-flying like Alitalia be expanding. But the Italian carrier returns to Washington/Dulles next year with a year-round flight to Rome. The five weekly flights launch May 2 using Airbus A330-200s configured with business, premium economy and coach. It will be Alitalia's second crack at the Washington market. It briefly flew IAD-Milan/Malpensa. United Airlines currently flies IAD-Rome, but only on a seasonal basis.

 

[GAC]

Actually, it will be Alitalia's THIRD crack at this market: Alitalia flew IAD/MXP/FCO in 1974 for about two years, before cutting many US flights in 1977. At the time, Alitalia used DC8/62s on this route.

 

[Alpinista]

United has started flying the new Polaris seating craft from IAD to FCO -- not sure how the Alitalia business cabin would match against that. I just looked up prices for United and Alitlia for my projected trip and the the tickets are identical in cost.