J-class availability to Rome

[El Comat]

Hey everyone,

The wife and I are heading to Rome next week on C1 passes. Are all the J-class seats available on that flight, or do the crew take some as crew seats? Should I trust the employee travel site when it says there are J-class seats open? Should I expect a lot of business travelers (Super Elites) taking upgrades at the gate (will they take precedence over our C1s?)? lol...I don't feel like spending $500 to have us sit in the back!

On another note, any tips for things to do in Rome, other than the obvious Vatican, Colosseum, etc?

Thanks,
EC

[bmc]

Rent a car and drive to Montelcino. You're about 1-2 hours away from Tuscany which is beauiotful and produces some of the greatest wines, not to mention the food.

[tonysoprano]

Hey everyone,

The wife and I are heading to Rome next week on C1 passes. Are all the J-class seats available on that flight, or do the crew take some as crew seats? Should I trust the employee travel site when it says there are J-class seats open? Should I expect a lot of business travelers (Super Elites) taking upgrades at the gate (will they take precedence over our C1s?)? lol...I don't feel like spending $500 to have us sit in the back!

On another note, any tips for things to do in Rome, other than the obvious Vatican, Colosseum, etc?

Thanks,
EC

J-class is pretty full all next week with the exception of a day or two. Here's what you should know:
Certain pax (super-elite etc.) can buy an upgrade at the last minute. It does happen but not often on this route. They have priority over you.
One crew seat in J class is used on the return only (fco-yyz) for crew rest.
C1 will not guarantee a j-class seat. It is based on seniority. It will give you better boarding priority over a c2.
If you don't feel like dropping the dough on it, I recommend a c2 but beware of the downgraded priority.
I would say take the risk, pay for a c1 and hope for the best.
When in Rome, come visit us at La Botticella Pub off the Piazza Navona. The owner
is Canadian and it's a popular airline hangout with many of the American crews and others having a pre dinner brew sitting outside (nice scenery, nudge, nudge, wink, wink).
Try the link: http://www.romanightlife.com/labotticella
Good luck.
TS

[El Comat]

Thanks Tony! Are you going to be there from the 17th-23rd at all? We were hoping to catch the flight out of YYZ on the 16th, but it looks like we may go on the 15th now due to loads. I also got us some ZED fares on LH out of FRA in case we have to go through there. Perhaps we'll see you at La Botticella! And I know you widebody drivers make loads of cash, so does that mean you're buying the beer?

EC

PS - thanks for your tip as well, bmc!

[tonysoprano]

EC.
I certainly would buy you a beer. Unfortunately I won't be there next week. If you go there around 6-7 pm you will probably run into the AC crew. Tell the owner, Giovanni, that you're from Canada. BTW, lots of great places to eat in that area. Just ask Giovanni.

[El Comat]

Well the wife and I will have a day or two to kill (depending on what day we leave) before her folks meet us there, so perhaps we'll wander on over to that area to say hi to Giovanni and then have dinner.

Thanks again,
EC

[tonysoprano]

[disco]

El Comat,

Rome is so damned fabulous. You can walk to so many great things. Be sure to just get a map and stake out a walking route. Depending where you are staying: you can start at the Piazza Popolo and walk down past the Spanish steps, then the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, then maybe a quick cab (to expedite things) to the Coliseum and then wind up at the Piazza Navona and you will find (as mentioned) many airline types out on the patio. If you get a chance, Trastevere is a very cool old romantic area to take the wife for dinner.

Enjoy! Such a great place. Endless photo opportunities.

Tell us how it was.

Disco

[disco]

Oh ya, if you do the Vatican Tour, get a guide. It's hard to have a clue what your are checking out otherwise (except of course the Sisteen Chapel) Lineups can be crazy and guide might help with that too.

[El Comat]

Thanks Disco! Me and my wife are staying on Via Modena, which is just west of Termini Station.

EC

[captainsweaty]

Last time went to Rome it was a 767 all one class service , I was however able to book myself a J class seat when I logged on in that morning to get my boarding pass. It was odd in that usually you can only book a seat in Y. I kept my trap shut and flew to Rome in J!

good luck, espresso, gelato, pomodoro..... take it all in!

[sepia]

Last time went to Rome it was a 767 all one class service , I was however able to book myself a J class seat when I logged on in that morning to get my boarding pass. It was odd in that usually you can only book a seat in Y. I kept my trap shut and flew to Rome in J!

good luck, espresso, gelato, pomodoro..... take it all in!

So you were going to Rome on company related business?

[captainsweaty]

nope