Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.
I recently enjoyed an incredible holiday at the three Four Seasons Resorts in the Maldives. You can read my trip reports here:
- Review: ITA Airways Airbus A330neo Business Class from Rome to the Maldives (today)
- Review: Four Seasons Maldives Resort at Kuda Huraa
- Review: Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru
- Review: Four Seasons Maldives Private Island at Voavah
- Review: ITA Airways Airbus A330neo Business Class from the Maldives to Rome
Today: Review – ITA Airways A330neo Business Class (Rome to Maldives)
When I booked my trip to the Maldives, I knew I wanted the journey to be part of the experience—not just the destination. So I decided to fly Business Class with ITA Airways on their brand-new Airbus A330neo from Rome Fiumicino (FCO) to Malé (MLE). I’d heard mixed things about ITA Airways since it replaced Alitalia, but I was curious to see how their long-haul Business Class stacked up—especially on one of their most premium routes.
For those unfamiliar, ITA Airways is Italy’s new flagship carrier, stepping in after Alitalia’s long history. Launched in 2021, ITA aims to redefine Italian air travel with a focus on modern aircraft, enhanced service, and an emphasis on Italy’s renowned style and hospitality. They operate a young fleet including the Airbus A330neo and A350 for long-haul flights, offering an updated and more comfortable experience for business travelers.
In this post, I’ll take you through every part of the journey: from the design of the lie-flat seat, the inflight dining (yes, there’s pasta), and the overall vibe onboard this sleek new aircraft. If you’re considering ITA Airways for a luxury getaway—or just want a peek inside their A330neo Business Class cabin—this honest review is for you.
Have you ever flown with ITA Airways? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment.
- Trip: Rome (FCO) to Male (MLE)
- Airline: ITA Airways
- Aircraft type: Airbus A330neo
- Aircraft registration number: EI-HJR (named Gianmarco Pozzecco)
- On time departure: Yes (10 pm)
- On time arrival: Yes (10:30 am)
- Miles: 4560 miles (9120 km)
- Flight time: 9 hours and 30 minutes
- Seat: 6A
- Class: Business Class
In this review (more information & photos below my Youtube clip & slideshow):
- Cost of my ticket
- ITA Airways lounge at Rome Airport
- 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 paid €2,200 for a return Business Class ticket from Brussels to the Maldives via Rome, booked directly on the ITA Airways website with a promotional offer.
2. ITA AIRWAYS LOUNGE AT ROME AIRPORT
The ITA Airways Piazza di Spagna Lounge is the airline’s flagship lounge, located in Terminal E at Rome Fiumicino Airport. The Business Class lounge is situated in the non-Schengen area near gates E11 to E24, making it easily accessible for passengers departing on international or long-haul flights.
The lounge is open daily from 6:00 AM until 11:00 PM. Entry is complimentary for passengers traveling in ITA Airways Business Class, as well as for Volare Premium and Executive members. Passengers flying in Business Class on one of the Lufthansa Group airlines—Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, or Brussels Airlines—are also entitled to complimentary access. For those who do not meet these criteria, paid access is available; Children under the age of two can enter free of charge.
Upon entering the lounge, one is greeted by a stylish and spacious environment. The overall design is modern and elegant, featuring classic Italian touches such as ceramics by Bitossi and fine tableware by Richard Ginori. The space offers a total of 283 seats, arranged in several distinct zones to suit different needs:
- At the heart of the lounge is a rectangular space that serves as a central café area. This section features café-style tables and high-top seating, ideal for casual dining or working with a coffee.
- Around this central space, the lounge offers a variety of seating arrangements, including comfortable armchairs, dining tables with upholstered chairs, and semi-private areas for travelers seeking a quieter atmosphere.
One noticeable drawback of the lounge is its lack of natural light. The windows look out onto internal airport corridors rather than the tarmac, and as a result, the lounge has no direct views of the outside or incoming aircraft. This can make the space feel a bit closed in, particularly during longer stays.
However, the culinary offerings more than make up for this. The buffet is one of the lounge’s strongest features, offering a variety of high-quality Italian cuisine. Depending on the time of day, the selection ranges from fresh pastries and fruit in the morning to pasta, salads, cold cuts, and desserts throughout the afternoon and evening. Most notably, the lounge features an open kitchen with a fully operational live pizza oven. Here, chefs prepare freshly baked pizza to order, adding an interactive and authentic touch to the dining experience that sets this lounge apart from many others.
The lounge is also equipped with a number of useful amenities. These include complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, a digital newsstand offering access to over 7,000 international newspapers and magazines, and shower facilities for passengers who want to freshen up. There is also a dedicated family room for travelers with children, as well as a private VIP area reserved for Volare Executive members.
3. BUSINESS CLASS CABIN
ITA Airways A330neo aircraft features a 30-seat Business Class cabin, arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, ensuring that every passenger has direct aisle access—a must for long-haul comfort and privacy. This configuration efficiently uses space by staggering the seats in each row, so that the footwell for one seat is to the side of the seat in front. The thoughtful seat staggering – with private options for solo travelers and paired configurations for pairs – makes this cabin highly versatile:
- Seats along the windows alternate between “true” window seats (which are positioned closer to the fuselage) and aisle-adjacent seats (set slightly closer to the aisle with a wider side table facing the window). The true window seats—located in even-numbered rows—are more private and highly sought-after, ideal for solo travelers who prefer scenic views and a cocoon-like feel.
- In the center section, seats are arranged in paired configurations, designed with couples or traveling companions in mind. These paired seats share a central divider, which can be lowered or raised for privacy.
- Notably, Row 8 at the rear of the Business Class cabin contains only two seats—one on each side of the aisle (8A and 8K)—rather than the full four-seat row. These seats offer extra privacy and are often considered a “mini-cabin” of their own due to their separation from the main Business Class zone. They are an excellent choice for passengers seeking a quieter, more secluded space.
Stepping aboard the ITA Airways Airbus A330-900neo, the first thing that stands out is the meticulously designed Business Class cabin. Embracing elegance, practicality, and understated sophistication, the cabin interior was designed in collaboration with the renowned Italian design studio Walter De Silva & Partners, known for their work with luxury automotive brands such as Audi, Lamborghini, and Alfa Romeo.
4. BUSINESS CLASS SEAT (+ BEST & WORST SEATS)
ITA Airways’ Business Class seat on the Airbus A330neo is built on the trusted Thompson Vantage XL platform, also used by leading airlines like Delta, Qantas, and SWISS. But ITA brings its own distinctly Italian flair, thanks to elegant customization, premium materials, and thoughtful design details. The seat is upholstered in soft, dove grey Italian leather and measures approximately 21 inches (53 cm) wide. It offers medium-firm cushioning that’s supportive for both sitting and sleeping. Padded, adjustable headrests and armrests further enhance comfort throughout the flight.
Each seat features a 17-inch high-definition screen for inflight entertainment, along with a spacious footwell for stretching out during long-haul journeys. A built-in coat hanger beside the screen offers a convenient spot for a jacket or blazer. Storage is handled smartly with a side cabinet, perfect for keeping essentials like a phone, wallet, or glasses close at hand. A modern ambient light built into the cabinet adds a touch of style and makes nighttime use easy without being disruptive. Beneath it, a side table includes the entertainment handset and an intuitive seat control panel, allowing for easy adjustments.
The tray table is smoothly released using a simple latch and is adjustable, so you can slide it forward or backward. This smart design lets you get in and out of your seat even while meals are being served, making the space more flexible and comfortable.
When it’s time to rest, the seat converts into a fully flat bed measuring 80 inches (203 cm) in length. While the bed offers enough room, ITA Airways does not provide a mattress pad, which can make the surface feel a little firm for some travelers. Light bedding is provided, but those sensitive to firmer sleeping surfaces may find it less comfortable than other top-tier carriers.
What are the best Business Class seats on ITA Airways’ Airbus A330-900neo?
- Solo travelers should opt for window seats in rows 2A, 4A, 6A, and 8A. These seats are positioned closer to the windows, offering enhanced privacy and a more secluded feel compared to those closer to the aisle.
- Couples or Traveling Companions should consider the paired middle seats, facilitating easier conversation and a more intimate setting.
What are the worst Business Class seats on ITA Airways’ Airbus A330-900neo?
- Seats in the first row are near the galley and experience more foot traffic, leading to potential disturbances during the flight.
- The ‘window seats’ in the odd numbered rows are closer to the aisle and offer less privacy compared to their counterparts in even numbered rows.
Click here for a seat map of the ITA Airways Airbus A330neo Business Class cabin.
6. MEALS
During the 9-hour and 30-minute flight from the Maldives to Rome, ITA Airways offered a four-course dinner after takeoff and a light breakfast prior too landing. The dinner stood out not only for its quality but also because the Business Class menu was designed by Michelin-starred chef Davide Oldani, owner of the acclaimed D’O Restaurant. His modern interpretation of Italian cuisine brought a touch of fine dining to the sky.
Here’s what I selected from the dinner menu:
- Starter: Stuffed zucchini filled with tuna sauce, raisins, pine nuts, and amaretti biscuits.
- Pasta course: Cannelloni with a gratinated legume ragout, soft lettuce cream, and almonds.
- Main course: Herb-crusted snapper served with celery root purée and crispy aggretti vegetables.
- Dessert: Creamy ricotta with basil-scented strawberries and sweet yellow flour breadcrumbs.
The presentation and flavor of the dishes were excellent, and the addition of a dedicated pasta course—a fourth dish—is a thoughtful nod to Italy’s multi-course dining tradition. It also clearly sets ITA Airways apart from the more limited offerings on many other carriers in Business Class. That said, the service was slower than ideal. The first course wasn’t served until nearly an hour after takeoff, which felt quite delayed, especially given the late departure time (around 10 p.m.).
Breakfast, served about 90 minutes before landing, was more modest and less impressive. It included orange and pineapple juice, yogurt, a bakery selection, and a seasonal fruit plate—all served on a single tray. While adequate, it didn’t quite live up to the high standard set by the dinner.
7. INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT
Each Business Class seat comes with a 17‑inch 4K touchscreen monitor—elegant, low-glare, and responsive, with the added option of a handheld controller for flexibility. The entertainment library is substantial, offering around 372 hours of video content—over 175 films and more than 20 TV series—as well as curated music playlists and even games to keep you occupied. An interactive 3D moving map feature allows passengers to zoom and toggle views of the journey across continents. For audio, Bluetooth pairing means passengers can ditch the airline-issued headphones and connect their own for a top-tier listening experience.
8. ONBOARD INTERNET
Business Class passengers benefit from unlimited free messaging — a thoughtful touch that means you can use apps like WhatsApp or iMessage throughout the flight. Beyond that, there are several reasonably priced plans: a two‑hour pass for $19 USD ideal for browsing and emails, and a full‑flight 1500 MB pass ($33 USD) suitable for light browsing, though streaming may strain the allowance. The Wi‑Fi is serviceable but not lightning fast — sufficient for work or messaging, but noticeably sluggish for heavy streaming.
9. OTHER INFLIGHT EXPERIENCES
# CREW: What truly elevated this flight was the exceptional service from the cabin crew. Every interaction felt personal and professional. The staff addressed me by name, checked in at the right moments, and provided thoughtful recommendations for food and wine. There was a natural warmth in their approach, characteristic of true Italian hospitality.
# LAVATORY: On ITA Airways’ Airbus A330neo aircraft, Business Class passengers have access to three lavatories: one located at the front of the cabin, exclusively for Business Class use, and two situated at the rear, shared with Premium Economy passengers. These lavatories are functional and well-maintained, though they are relatively basic and lack premium amenities. Given the 30-seat Business Class configuration, this provides a ratio of one lavatory for every 10 passengers, which is generally considered adequate for long-haul flights.
10. MY VERDICT
Flying with ITA Airways in Business Class on the Airbus A330neo from Rome to the Maldives was an excellent experience from start to finish. The airline successfully blends modern comfort, Italian style, and gourmet hospitality in a way that few European carriers manage to achieve.
What I loved about the flight included the beautifully designed cabin, comfortable seats with direct aisle access, authentic Italian meals of restaurant quality, elegant amenity kits, and friendly, professional service that felt personal and genuine. However, there were a few areas where the experience could be improved. For example, the bedding could benefit from the addition of a mattress topper to enhance comfort even further. Additionally, while the main meals were exceptional, the breakfast offering felt somewhat underwhelming by comparison — a more thoughtfully curated and substantial breakfast service would help round out the premium experience.
Here’s my final score of ITA Airways’ Business Class on the Airbus A330neo:
- 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
*** Follow me on Instagram, Youtube, Twitter or Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***
