Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.
I recently enjoyed a sublime holiday in the Maldives with Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, which manages three properties in the archipelago. You can read my trip reports here:
Review: ITA Airways Business Class Airbus A330-900neo (Maldives to Rome)
For my journey back from the Maldives to Europe, I chose to fly Business Class with ITA Airways aboard their brand-new Airbus A330-900neo. ITA Airways is Italy’s national airline, launched in 2021 as the successor to the historic Alitalia brand. With a focus on modernizing Italian aviation, ITA operates a fleet of advanced aircraft, including the Airbus A330-900neo and A350, designed to offer enhanced comfort and efficiency on long-haul routes. The airline aims to combine contemporary aircraft technology with Italy’s renowned style and hospitality, providing passengers with a refined travel experience.
This review covers the full Business Class experience on ITA Airways’ A330-900neo from Malé (MLE) to Rome (FCO), examining key aspects such as the cabin design, seat comfort, onboard amenities, inflight dining, entertainment options, and overall service quality. Whether you’re considering ITA Airways for a premium journey or simply curious about their product, this detailed breakdown offers an insightful look at what to expect on one of Italy’s most important long-haul routes.
Have you ever flown with ITA Airways? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment.
- Trip: Male (MLE) to Rome (FCO)
- Airline: ITA Airways
- Aircraft type: Airbus A330-900neo
- Aircraft registration number: EI-TYC (named Stefano Baldini)
- On time departure: Yes (1:30 pm)
- On time arrival: Yes (7:30 9m)
- Miles: 4560 miles (9120 km)
- Flight time: 10 hours
- Seat: 6L
- Class: Business Class
In this review (more information & photos below my Youtube clip & slideshow):
- Cost of my ticket
- About ITA Airways
- Business Class cabin
- Business Class seat (+ best & worst seats)
- Amenities & bedding
- Meals
- Entertainment
- Onboard internet
- Other inflight experiences
- My verdict (score)
1. COST OF MY TICKET
I secured a round-trip Business Class fare from Brussels to the Maldives via Rome for €2,200, booked directly through ITA Airways’ website during a promotional sale.
2. ABOUT ITA AIRWAYS
For those who might not be familiar, ITA Airways is Italy’s newest national airline, founded in 2021 to take over from the iconic but financially troubled Alitalia. As Italy’s flag carrier reboot, ITA Airways sets out with a clear goal: to revitalize Italian aviation by blending cutting-edge technology with the timeless elegance and warmth associated with Italian culture. The airline places a strong emphasis on sustainability, investing in a modern, fuel-efficient fleet that includes advanced aircraft such as the Airbus A330neo and A350. These wide-body jets offer improved fuel economy, lower emissions, and quieter cabins, aligning ITA with global efforts to make flying greener.
Initially, ITA Airways joined the SkyTeam alliance, continuing the legacy Alitalia once had in that group. However, following its acquisition by the Lufthansa Group, ITA is now preparing to transition to the Star Alliance network. This strategic shift will integrate ITA with Lufthansa and its partner airlines, expanding route connectivity and offering passengers access to a broader global network with improved codeshare opportunities and loyalty program benefits. Beyond alliances, ITA aims to elevate the passenger experience by introducing refreshed service standards that highlight Italian hospitality, from attentive cabin crews to menus crafted by celebrated chefs. The airline also focuses on connectivity, offering upgraded inflight entertainment and WiFi options to cater to today’s digital traveler. As a relatively new airline, ITA continues to expand its route network and enhance its product, signaling a promising future for Italy’s aviation industry.
3. BUSINESS CLASS CABIN
The ITA Airways A330-900neo Business Class cabin holds 30 seats arranged in a 1-2-1 layout, ensuring every passenger enjoys aisle access—a vital feature for privacy and comfort on long flights. The staggered seating design cleverly places the footwells to the side of the seat ahead, making efficient use of space.
Window seats alternate between two types: “true” window seats, situated closest to the fuselage, and seats next to the aisle but still adjacent to the window, offering a wider side table. The true window seats (in even rows) provide enhanced privacy and are especially popular with solo flyers who appreciate a cocoon-like setting and scenic views.
The center section features pairs of seats with a privacy divider that can be raised or lowered, catering to couples or companions.
Notably, row 8 has just two seats (8A and 8K) instead of four, creating a quasi-private mini-cabin that appeals to passengers seeking a quieter environment away from the main Business Class area.
Crafted in partnership with Walter De Silva & Partners—an Italian design studio famed for collaborations with Audi, Lamborghini, and Alfa Romeo—the ITA Airways A330-900neo Business Class cabin exudes subtle elegance and practical sophistication. The interior color scheme combines soothing shades of grey, beige, and charcoal, enhanced by ambient LED lighting that adjusts with the flight phases. Materials highlight Italian craftsmanship: textured matte composites with polished aluminum details on seat shells and partitions, and plush, full-grain Italian leather upholstery in dove grey on seats and headrests. The ITA logo is discreetly embossed on headrests and cabin panels, underscoring the brand’s identity.
4. BUSINESS CLASS SEAT (+ BEST & WORST SEATS)
ITA’s Business Class seats on the A330-900neo are based on the renowned Thompson Vantage XL design, a favorite among airlines like Delta, Qantas, and SWISS. ITA adds its own touch of Italian elegance through refined materials and attention to detail.
Each seat is upholstered in soft dove grey leather, about 21 inches (53 cm) wide, with medium-firm cushioning ideal for both sitting and sleeping. Adjustable headrests and armrests enhance comfort.
The seat is equipped with a 17-inch HD touchscreen, and a decently spaced footwell allows for stretching out during the flight. A built-in coat hook beside the screen adds convenience, while a side cabinet keeps personal items handy, illuminated softly by integrated ambient lighting. Beneath it, a side table includes the entertainment handset and an intuitive seat control panel, allowing for easy adjustments. The tray table slides smoothly for easy access, enabling passengers to dine or work without being boxed in.
In lie-flat mode, the bed stretches to 80 inches (203 cm). However, ITA does not provide a mattress pad, making the sleeping surface a bit firm compared to some competitors. While light bedding and pillows are included, those preferring a plusher bed might find it less than ideal.
What are the best Business Class seats on ITA Airways’ Airbus A330-900neo?
- Solo travelers should aim for window seats in rows 2A, 4A, 6A, and 8A for maximum privacy and window views.
- Couples or friends traveling together will appreciate the paired center seats for easier interaction.
What are the worst Business Class seats on ITA Airways’ Airbus A330-900neo?
- Seats in the very first row are adjacent to the galley and tend to experience more foot traffic and noise.
- Window seats in odd-numbered rows sit closer to the aisle, offering less privacy than their even-row counterparts.
Click here for a seat map of the ITA Airways Airbus A330neo Business Class cabin.
5. AMENITIES & BEDDING
Long-haul Business Class passengers receive a thoughtfully curated set of luxury amenities:
- An amenity kit in an eco-friendly canvas pouch containing an eye mask, earplugs, cozy socks, and a dental kit with a bamboo toothbrush and premium toothpaste.
- A wellness pouch by QC Terme, featuring exfoliating shower gel, gentle shampoo, hand sanitizer, face cream, body lotion, and intensive hand butter for nourishment.
- Sleep comfort includes a lightweight pillow, duvet, and slippers—though no mattress topper is supplied.
- Noise-cancelling headphones come standard for an immersive entertainment experience.
6. MEALS
On the nearly ten-hour journey from the Maldives to Rome, the meal service consisted of a four-course lunch shortly after takeoff, followed by a light dinner before arrival.
My lunch choices included:
- Starter: pumpkin and permesan cheese flan with mushrooms and toestaed pumpkin seeds
- Pasta: Turnip greens Orecchiette pasta – Italian pasta dressed with achovies of Cetara, tomatoes and bread crumble
- Main course: braised beef cheek, accompanied by roasted cubed pumpkin and sautéed chard
- Dessert: Tiramisu with coffee glaze and dark cocoa crumble
The food’s presentation and taste were impressive, especially the inclusion of a dedicated pasta course—a nod to Italian culinary tradition rarely seen on other carriers.
As a midflight snack, I ordered an assorted Italian cheese board served with pear mustard, dried apricot and pistachios, which tasted excellent.
The pre-arrival dinner was simpler and less memorable, featuring a slice of gourmet Napolitan stone baked pizza and a walnut brownie served together on a single tray. While sufficient, it didn’t quite match the high standard of the lunch service.
7. ENTERTAINMENT
Each seat boasts a 17-inch 4K touchscreen that is bright, low-reflective, and responsive. A handheld controller is also available for flexible navigation.
The entertainment library is extensive, offering over 370 hours of video including more than 175 films and 20+ TV series, alongside curated music playlists and games. A 3D moving map tracks the flight progress with zoom and toggle features.
Bluetooth connectivity allows passengers to pair their own headphones, bypassing the provided set for superior sound quality.
8. ONBOARD INTERNET
ITA Airways Business Class passengers enjoy unlimited complimentary messaging on popular apps like WhatsApp and iMessage throughout the flight.
Paid Wi-Fi options include:
A two-hour pass for $19 USD, suitable for light browsing and email.
A full-flight 1500 MB pass at $33 USD, which supports basic browsing but may not suffice for heavy streaming.
The onboard Wi-Fi is functional but not particularly fast, adequate for work or messaging but slower when streaming video.
9. OTHER INFLIGHT EXPERIENCES
# CREW: The standout element of this flight was the warm, professional cabin crew. Staff members greeted me by name, anticipated needs without being intrusive, and offered thoughtful meal and wine pairings—reflecting the hallmark of genuine Italian hospitality.
# LAVATORY: Business Class passengers have access to three lavatories on the A330neo—one at the front exclusively for Business Class and two at the rear shared with Premium Economy. These are clean, well-maintained, and functional.
10. MY VERDICT
Flying ITA Airways Business Class on the A330-900neo from the Maldives to Rome was an overall excellent experience. The airline manages to combine modern comfort, Italian design flair, and gourmet hospitality in a way few European carriers match.
Highlights for me were the stylish cabin, comfortable seats with direct aisle access, top-notch Italian cuisine, elegant amenities, and genuinely friendly service.
Areas for improvement include the bedding—adding a mattress pad would enhance sleep comfort—and the pre-arrival dinner, which felt underwhelming compared to the rich lunch offering.
Here’s my rating for ITA Airways Business Class on the A330neo-900:
- Seat comfort (upright): 8/10
- Seat comfort (bed position): 8/10
- Privacy: 9/10
- Food (quality): 9/10
- Food (quantity): 9/10
- Inflight entertainment : 9/10
- WiFi: 8/10
- Service: 9/10
- Cabin design: 10/10
- Overall experience: very good: 8.6/10
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