Alitalia Receives First Airbus A330-200

• The aircraft is configured in a high comfort three class layout

(July 15, 2010) -- Alitalia has received its first new Airbus A330-200 aircraft from the Airbus facility in Toulouse, France. The aircraft is configured in a high comfort three class layout and is the first Alitalia aircraft to feature the new premium economy "Classica Plus" class and a completely updated "Magnifica" business class.

Seating 230 passengers with 181 in economy, 21 in premium economy and 28 in business class, the aircraft will be deployed on Alitalia's network of transatlantic routes. It is the first of two new A330s to be delivered to Alitalia this year.

"The high efficiency and low operating costs of the A330 made it the perfect platform for the launch of our new Classica Plus", said Andrea Stolfa, Alitalia's Executive Vice President Marketing, Revenue Management & Network. "And with our new business class full flat seats updating the Magnifica class, our passengers will be treated to the best service in the skies, featuring a wide range of upscale Italian brands: food, wines and travel accessories."

"Alitalia customers travelling on the new A330s will benefit from the most comfortable cabin available, while Alitalia will benefit from the aircraft's unparalleled reliability, eco-efficiency, and its commonality with their existing A320 family fleet," said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. We are proud to be partnering with Alitalia as they expand their fleet with the A330, and launch their new cabin product line."

Source : Airbus, an EADS N.V. company (Paris: EAD.PA)