Meridiana - Fly With An Italian Budget Airline

Meridiana, an Italian airline in Olbia, was formerly named Alisarda was originally called Alisarda by Aga Khan Prince Karīm al-Hussaynī and was established to promote tourism in Sardinia in 1964. The first international flights commenced in 1991 to Paris, Frankfurt and London.

It has since grown and currently operates scheduled and charter flights from Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport. It services both domestic scheduled and charter flights as well as European and intercontinental flights from various locations in Italy. Its flights are augmented by its subsidiary company, Air Italy.

In 2010, the company merged with Eurofly to form Meridiana Fly. The main aim of this decision was to connect Italy's major airports with Sardinia and Sicily. In 2011, Meridiana fly acquired Air Italy. The company was once again known as Meridiana. In 2014, the airline launched flights to London, Moscow, Kiev, Nice and Tel Aviv from Naples and to Geneva, Brussels, Hamburg, Paris, Moscow and Kiev from Olbia.

In 2014 the company retired its Airbus fleet and operate using Boeing. In 2016 Qatar Airways purchased 49% of the outstanding shares in the company.

Flying With Meridiana

The company offers a choice of Business and Economy class flights on long and medium-haul flights. Domestic flights have only Economy class seats. Economy Standard seat selector allows passengers a choice of Window/Aisle option and being seated close to friends and family, or an Economy Comfort Seat. These seats are situated at the Emergency Exit or in the first few rows of the plane. This provides extra leg room and makes leaving the plane easier. Seat selection is available on all Meridiana operated flights.

Passengers who fly frequently can become a member of the company club or obtain a Fly Pass Gold card. This card allows passengers to obtain points for every time they fly on the airline, a dedicated Customer Care line, pre-assigned seats; priority on a waiting list; dedicated check-ins and access to Vip Lounges. Since 2014, frequent flyers have been able to earn Avios points on British Airways and on Iberia.

Practical Information

General check-in information:

• Passengers can check-in online and print or download boarding passes to their smartphone.

• Online check-in opens 7 days before departure and closes two hours prior to departure.

• The Meridiana App enables passengers to use Passbook to access check-ins. If you have hand baggage only you may proceed directly to airport security.

Domestic flights:

• Passengers can check-in from two hours until 35 minutes before the flight departs.

European flights:

• Passengers can check-in two hours and 30 minutes before departure and this closes 45 minutes before flight's departure time.

Moldova:

• Check-in opens three hours before departure and closes 60 minutes before departure.

Intercontinental flights (excludes Egypt, New York, Dakar, Mexico, Cuba and Brazil):

• Checkin-in opens three hours before departure and closes 45 minutes before departure.

New York, Mexico, Brazil and Cuba:

• Passengers can check-in four hours before departure at the earliest and 60 minutes before departure at the latest.

Dakar Accra and Lagos flights:

• Check-in opens four hours before departure and closes 90 minutes before departure.

There is a priority Bag Drop for Electa Class & Fly-Pass Gold Card holders at check-in.