Blue Panorama Airlines is a private carrier from Italy based in Fiumicino Rome. The flight geography includes most of the popular tourist destinations. Not so long ago, the airline began to work on the Russian market. What is the opinion of Russian travelers about it?
About company
The Italian company Blue Panorama Airlines (pronounced "Blue Panorama Airlines") entered the passenger transportation market in 1998. Now it is one of the leading companies in the European region offering quality service. Fiumicino and Malpensa are the main air transport hubs serving other major Italian airlines.
The airline's priorities are high quality in-flight service, safety and reliability, which are organically combined with a unique Italian style. The uniform of the crew and the interiors of the airliners, which were developed by the famous Italian designer M. Fontana,made in a strict white and blue color scheme. In-flight catering on Blue Panorama Airlines flights deserves special attention. It is made exclusively from fresh and natural products. Passengers are also offered a large selection of in-flight wines.
In 2002, the air carrier became a member of the international organization IATA. Since 2005, the company has entered the low cost air travel market with its subsidiary Blue Express. In 2012, the management of the organization decided to restructure its activities, so a bankruptcy petition was filed. However, only the permanent license was replaced with a temporary one, and soon the air carrier began to operate as usual.
Since 2013, the airline, represented by Blue Express, has also appeared on the Russian market and began operating flights from Moscow's Domodedovo and St. Petersburg's Pulkovo.
Fleet
The average life of aircraft in the company is no more than 18 years.
The Blue Panorama Airlines fleet includes the following types of aircraft:
- Boeing 737-300 - 3 aircraft with 148 seats in the passenger cabin with one service class;
- Boeing 737-400 - 5 aircraft with 168 single service class seats;
- Boeing 757-200 - 2 aircraft with 196 seats for air passengers with two classes of service;
- Boeing 767-300 - 4 aircraft with a carrying capacity of 234 to 259 passengers with two classes of service;
- Piaggio Avanti R-180 - 2 businessjet for 7 and 8 passenger seats.
The air carrier plans to expand its fleet. It will soon be replenished with 4 Boeing 787s and 8 Russian SSJ-100-95 aircraft (by prior agreement).
Directions
The company's activity is to carry out regular and seasonal transportation of air passengers. The geography of routes includes 39 destinations in directions:
- Asia - Maldives, Seychelles;
- Africa - Kenya, Madagascar, Egypt, Zanzibar;
- Europe - France, Greece, Spain, Russia;
- Caribbean - Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, Antilles, Jamaica.
Check-in, boarding flights, classes of service
Blue Panorama Airlines offers air passengers two types of service during the flight - economy class and Blue class, which is an analogue of business class. Passengers are seated on extra-comfort seats and have the opportunity to use the entertainment system during the flight. They also have a range of food to choose from and a large selection of the finest Italian wines.
You can check in for airline flights at the airport. Check-in starts 2 hours before the scheduled departure time of the aircraft, the end is 35 minutes for flights within Italy, 45 minutes for international flights. Boarding ends 25 minutes before aircraft departure. For transatlantic flights check-inpassengers and baggage starts 3 hours and ends 1.5 hours before the scheduled departure time. Passengers are invited to check in on the official website of the air carrier.
Blue Panorama Airlines: traveler reviews
Reviews about the company are both negative and positive.
Passengers highlight the following positives:
- timely informing about flight cancellations and schedule changes;
- punctuality;
- friendly staff;
- good service.
Among the negative aspects of the company's work can be identified:
- problems with baggage claim at Italian airports;
- comparatively high airfare for low-cost airlines;
- old planes;
- charging baggage fees;
- lack of food on low cost flights;
- narrow space between passenger seats.
A foreign air carrier that has appeared relatively recently on the Russian market is Blue Panorama Airlines. Reviews about it can be found different and often even contradictory. Flights from Russia are operated by a subsidiary of Blue Express. In general, the price of air tickets corresponds to the quality of service on board. The company has a relatively developed route network, consisting of short-, medium- and long-haul routes.
