Yesterday I attended an Alitalia press conference where the airline’s new chief commercial officer, Fabio Maria Lazzerini, just two months in the position, discussed what’s new and what the future holds for the airline.

A few facts and figures for the airline: Alitalia and its partners fly to more than 1,000 destinations in the world. In 2016 customer satisfaction ranked 89.4 percent and punctuality at 80.4 percent, with a total of 22.5 million passengers carried.

Alitalia recently added service to India and the Maldives to its winter schedule and extended its Los Angeles (LAX)–Rome (FCO) service year-round.

Highlights of the long-haul Magnifica business class include menus boasting recipes from Italian culinary traditions and Dine Anytime service, wines selected in cooperation with the Italian Sommelier Foundation, an exclusive Bvlgari amenity kit and multifunctional seats.

At the Rome airport, passengers enjoy Casa Alitalia, a true expression of Italian excellence, offering a live cooking area, a wide choice of Italian wines, and areas for business meetings or relaxing. The lounge at New York (JFK) will be updated similarly in the future.

According to Lazzerini, “Alitalia is a beautiful airline, emphasizing the idea that we are Italian, an asset only we have.” And by highlighting and partnering with the finest Italian brands, travelers start their Italian holiday the second they step on board.

Another reason to consider Alitalia is its recently renovated hub at Rome Fiumicino. With a new infrastructure, more functionality, continuous improvements and a 39 percent increase in gate capacity, the airport can now accommodate up to 6 million passengers per year. The new Pier E is reserved for extra-Schengen flights and has an area dedicated to shopping, with personal shopper services available.

These were just a few of the highlights of what travelers can expect from their Alitalia flight experience. While some concerns may linger regarding the airline’s financial status, it is “business as usual,” says Lazzerini. The airline can sell with confidence the next summer and winter season while they look for a truly strategic partner to help propel the airline into the future.

— Kimberly Krol, editor in chief