Italian Airline Lands in the U.S.

Air One launches nonstop flights from Boston and Chicago to Milan

ROME -- Air One, Italy's No. 1 private airline, announced today it is launching its first intercontinental flights between the U.S. and Italy. Air One passengers can fly from Boston and Chicago directly to Milan, the industrial and financial heart of Italy, as well as the point of departure to some of Northern Italy's top destinations: elegant Turin, romantic Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet, exclusive Lake Como and the magnificent Alps.

From lift-off Air One passengers will be immersed in Italian culture, thanks to Italian cuisine, in-flight entertainment offering Italian films and with onboard outfitting that guarantees maximum relaxation, making the flight an authentic "Made in Italy" experience. The Airbus A330's business class provides comfortable seating for 38.

New Flights

Air One's inaugural flight to Boston will arrive at Logan International Airport (BOS) on Saturday, June 14; the Boston-Milan connection will fly daily, excluding Tuesday and Thursday. The inaugural flight to Chicago will arrive at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) on Saturday, June 21, and will operate daily, excluding Wednesdays.

Air One's intercontinental connections will operate as codeshares with United Airlines. Passengers who fly these routes can accumulate points for frequent flyer programs Mileage Plus of United Airlines and Miles & More of Lufthansa.

The Air One toll-free number in the United States is now active: 888-9-FLY-AIR1 (888-9-359-2471). Air One passengers can call this number 24/7 to make reservations and to request information.

The Air One network

Travellers who arrive in Milan from the U.S. can continue to several destinations within the Air One network, thanks to convenient connecting flights: in Italy, to Naples (two flights daily), Palermo (weekly frequency, to be doubled starting from 8th July), Rome Fiumicino (four flights daily), Bari (one flight daily), and Lamezia Terme in southern Italy (seasonal flight, up to 27 September with weekly frequency); and in Europe to Brussels and Athens (two flights daily), Berlin and Thessaloniki (one flight daily).

Additionally, Air One passengers have the option to continue from Milano Malpensa with codeshare-partner carriers to Warsaw (with LOT flights), Riga and Vilnius (with Air Baltic flights), Lisbon and Oporto (with TAP flights), and Malta (with Air Malta flights).

One of the youngest fleets in Europe

The intercontinental flights from Boston and Chicago to Milano Malpensa will operate with two Airbus A330-200 aircraft. The configuration of these two planes includes 239 seats, 38 of which are in Business Class and 201 in Economy. Extremely modern in outfitting and avionics, the Air One's A330 aircraft are equipped with engines with a low environmental impact, certified according to the CAEP 6 standard in effect as of January, 2008. These engines also ensure savings in fuel consumption and provide lower CO2 emissions.

The strong expansion and the growing quality of service that have characterized Air One over the last several years is also made possible by the progressive renewal and expansion of the fleet. Air One has an agreement for firm purchase orders of 90 Airbus A320s, of which 15 have already been delivered, while the remaining planes will be delivered at the rate of more than one per month. The fleet also includes ten new 90-seat Bombardier CRJ900s for regional connections (final delivery made in 2007). The airline is also about to conclude negotiations for the purchase of a large number of long-haul aircraft that will be delivered starting in 2009.

At the end of 2008, the fleet will comprise approximately 60 aircraft. In 2012 Air One will have one of the youngest fleets in Europe.

Air One, Italy's number one private carrier

Air One was established on 23rd November 1995 when the company began to operate scheduled flights on the Roma Fiumicino-Milano Linate line, the fifth largest in Europe in terms of traffic volume. For the first time, the monopoly held by Alitalia on this route was broken, offering an alternative to the only carrier authorized up to that time. Over the last several years, Air One has asserted itself as the top private airline company in Italy; in 2007 it surpassed 37% of the domestic market share, transporting over 7.5 million passengers and recording revenues of about 750 million Euros. With more than 3400 employees (including those working at the subsidiary companies) Air One provides flights for 21 domestic, 10 international, and 2 intercontinental destinations.