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Save/ShareAir One, Italy's second-largest airline after Alitalia, is taking over the routes between Chicago (O'Hare) and Milan and between Boston and Milan that Alitalia gave up because of financial troubles, which we've blogged about before. Air One will use Airbus A330-200 aircraft that is less than five years old. Each plane has 201 economy seats (plus additional business-class seats.
Air One starts its first transatlantic flights on June 14, nonstop between Boston and Milan, with connections to Rome, five times a week, and June 21, nonstop between Chicago and Milan, with connections to Rome, six times a week.
I spoke this week with Air One's head of marketing, Giorgio De Roni. He explains that Air One is a partner of United, US Airways, and Lufthansa. If you are a member of any of those airlines' frequent flier programs, you can earn miles on your Air One flights (and you can redeem your miles to fly on Air One). Air One currently flies to 22 domestic, 10 international and, as of June, two U.S. destinations. In 2007, the airline flew more than 7 million passengers.
To toast its new service to the U.S., Air One is offering economy-class fares for $799 round trip, including all taxes, fees, and surcharges. (Other airlines only list the base fare on their websites; for comparison, Air One's base fare is $491 round-trip, economy-class, with taxes and fees of $308.)
Want to fly to Rome? Pay $999—including all taxes, fees, and fuel surcharges. Ditto for flights to the Italian cities of Bari, Lamezia Terme, Naples, and Palermo.
What's the fine print?
These special non-refundable fares require a 14-day advance purchase with a Saturday overnight stay and are non-changeable. Tickets must be booked by June 13 and you must fly in 2008, You can fly in July and September, but the deal is not valid for flights in August.
What about its luggage rules? Many European airlines have tighter luggage allowances than American carriers for transatlantic flights. What is Air One's policy? Giorgio says that Air One allows you to check two bags that weigh up to 72 pounds each for free. If you want to connect to Rome via Milan, you are allowed the same amount and weight of luggage for your on-ward connection. (For comparison, British Airways only allows bags that weigh about 51 pounds. American Airlines maxes out at 50 pounds.)
See details at FlyAirOne.com.
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British Airways is allowing up to 70 pounds per bag up until November.
Posted By Jan Pritts on May 19, 2008, 7:29 PM
Is it to early to book for May 2009? What is the upgrade and what is the charge? Our destination is Milan, Italy.
Posted By Beth Kloke on June 10, 2008, 6:55 AM
Any more information on Air One? Have mostly flown British Airways and Virgin to Europe and know nothing about Air One as to reliability, safety record, etc. Please help!
Posted By LuAnn on September 26, 2008, 3:27 PM
Hi there,
Air One has a great safety record, according to FlightSafety.org, thanks perhaps to its having a fleet of new and new-ish planes.
To check if an individual flight has reliable on-time departures, visit FlightStats.com. The airline’s code is AP, oddly enough.
Happy travels,
Sean
Blog editor
Posted By Sean on September 26, 2008, 3:43 PM
I HAVE BEEN OVERCHARGED OVER $600 FOR 2 ROUNDTRIP TICKETS FROM CHICAGO TO MILAN, I WAS QUOTED ONE PRICE IN US DOLLARS, BY THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP, AND WHEN I GOT MY CREDIT CARD STATEMENT IT WAS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT PRICE. I HAVE FAXED THEM A COMPLAINT FORM 3 TIMES, WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THE THEM YET, SINCE MAY 2008. NOT HAPPY WITH AIRONE!
Posted By LINDA GRANATA on October 11, 2008, 1:27 PM
Lost my baggage. I was given a baggage check but it only had two letters and six numbers on it. You have to have ten letters and numbers to check on it. Beware!!! check your numbers before leaving the counter. I called Rome, Boston, United, nothing can be done without 10 numbers.
Posted By gloria on October 12, 2008, 7:52 PM
AIR ONE STINKS........................
HAD BAD EXPERIENCE WITH THEM..
THEY DON'T EVEN ANSWER TO E- MAILS
Posted By SEBASTIANO PINO on October 27, 2008, 10:50 AM
Is AirOne still allowing 2 bags up to 70 lbs?
Posted By Carla Morris on December 1, 2008, 11:01 PM
Awful customer service...do not fly this airline. After weeks of trying to contact the company, I just received my long overdue refund for a flight from Chicago to Milan and it was still short $140.00. They say to contact the refund office, which I have been trying to do for 2 weeks in a row. No one will answer, I also sent two emails which have gone unanswered. Their customer service is awful and I would never fly Air One again.
Posted By Tiffany on December 16, 2008, 9:42 AM