Thanks to an injection of new capital through its verger with Etihad Airways, Italy's national carrier Alitalia is relaunching itself on the long distance market with a new upgraded Business Class which offers additional comfort and facilities. Business passengers have luxury leather reclining chairs, designed by Poltrona Frau, one of Italy's foremost furniture designers, the “Meals Anytime option, by which passengers can eat when they choose and WiFi access during the flight.

The new re-styling of the aircraft updates the original striking tail

A design dating from 1969. The letter  A remains, but has bolder colour strips, still in the traditional red, white and green.

Meanwhile, the airline has announced plans for expansion to seven new destinations. By 2018 it plans to operate 26 domestic routes, 61 international routes  and 18 intercontinental routes with a total network of 105 destinations.

Info: www.alitalia.com