Manuela Imperato was a flight attendant for Alitalia who became a prominent face of labor protests following the airline's closure in 2021. The Symbolic Protest
In October 2021, as Alitalia ceased operations to be replaced by ITA Airways, Imperato was part of a striking visual demonstration in Rome.
The "Stripped" Uniform: Approximately 50 former hostesses, including Imperato, gathered at the Campidoglio (Capitoline Hill). In a silent, choreographed protest, they removed their overcoats and Alitalia uniforms, standing in their undergarments to symbolize the loss of their professional dignity and livelihoods.
The Slogan: The demonstration was centered around the cry, "We are Alitalia," highlighting the workers' transition into unemployment or less favorable contracts under the new national carrier. Career & Alitalia Background
Professional Longevity: Imperato worked as a cabin crew member for Alitalia for over 20 years before the company's final liquidation.
Transition to ITA: The protest specifically targeted the new "ITA" airline, which launched with significantly fewer employees (roughly 2,800 out of Alitalia's original 10,000+) and offered contracts with lower pay and fewer protections. manuela imperato hostess alitalia work
Public Advocacy: Following the viral protest, Imperato became a spokesperson for the "invisible" workers, appearing in various news outlets to discuss the emotional and financial toll of the airline's collapse after decades of state bailouts and mismanagement. Current Support for Workers
Former Alitalia employees, including those who lost their positions during the 2021 transition, remain eligible for extended social safety nets.
Naspi Benefits: Recent legislation ensures that approximately 1,900 former Alitalia workers can benefit from an additional year of Naspi (unemployment benefits), extending through the end of 2026.
Since she is a private individual, avoid invasive searching. Instead, use these reputable sources:
When discussing the history of Italian aviation, the figure of the Alitalia Hostess is iconic. Among the women who defined this profession, Manuela Imperato stands out as a symbol of elegance, professionalism, and the "Dolce Vita" spirit that characterized Alitalia during its golden years. Manuela Imperato was a flight attendant for Alitalia
This guide explores her work, the context of her career, and the legacy she represents.
Born in Rome in the late 1960s, Manuela Imperato grew up watching the silver birds of Alitalia trace lines across the Roman sky. Unlike many who enter hospitality for the travel perks, Imperato was drawn to the discipline and the elegance. In 1987, at just twenty years old, she answered an open call for hostesses at Alitalia’s headquarters.
The selection process, as she recalls in rare interviews, was brutal. It wasn't just about looks; it was about classe. Candidates were tested on language fluency (English, French, and often German), swimming ability (in case of a water landing), and even psychology. "You had to remain calm while a recruiter dropped a tray of glasses on the floor next to you," Imperato once recounted. "The job wasn't about serving coffee. It was about managing chaos."
Upon acceptance, Manuela Imperato entered the prestigious Alitalia training school. Here, she learned the "Alitalia Method": how to open a bottle of Barolo without a sound; how to fold a napkin into a fan; and, most importantly, how to recognize a heart attack before the passenger did. Her first assignment was on the McDonnell Douglas DC-9, flying domestic routes between Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate.
If reviewing her "work" persona based on public record: paying individual attention to passengers
On October 14, 2021, the inevitable happened. Alitalia operated its last flight. For Manuela Imperato, it was the end of a life.
She was one of the senior hostesses chosen for the farewell flight from Rome to Cagliari. The grief on board was palpable. Grown pilots wept in the cockpit. Passengers clapped. But Manuela Imperato did not cry during the flight. She worked. She served prosecco in crystal glasses—the last few surviving sets from the 1980s. She pinned a small Italian flag to her chest.
Upon landing, as the crew members hugged and said their goodbyes, Manuela removed her wings—the golden Alitalia pins she had worn for 34 years—and placed them on the instrument panel of the Airbus A320.
"It is just a plane," she whispered to a journalist capturing the moment. "But my work was never just a job. It was a love letter to Italy."
To understand Manuela Imperato’s work, one must understand the airline she worked for. At the time, Alitalia was a source of immense national pride.
Manuela Imperato sued Alitalia for mobbing and discrimination.
