Alitalia (AZA, Rome Fiumicino) has begun B777-300(ER) operations following the deployment into regular-rotation of EI-WLA (msn 35783) earlier this month.
Although the AerCap-owned and managed widebody jet has seen occasional service for the Italian carrier since September, it was only deployed into regular service on December 7. As it stands, it is currently used on Alitalia's Rome Fiumicino-São Paulo Guarulhos, Brazil route. It seats 382 passengers with thirty in Business Class, twenty-four in Premium Economy, and 328 in Economy.
The decision to add the -300(ER) to Alitalia's fleet was first announced in February of this year during Cramer Ball's tenure as Chief Executive Officer. Doubts had lingered as to whether the aircraft would actually be deployed into service given Alitalia's entry into bankruptcy in May of this year.
Alitalia currently operates eleven B777-200(ER)s on flights from Rome to Argentina, Cuba, the United States, the Maldives, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, and Japan.
