Air Serbia

A few days ago I returned from Banja Luka. Although the ATR72 was quite noisy the service was excellent especially for the 45 minute flight. Change in quality in comparison with old JAT is highly visible.

I travelled from DUS-BEG and it was an excellent experience totally refurbished airlplane and had the brand new (A319). Hot meal friendly staff still some bugs to iron out.

I have flown with former JAT on a couple of occasions and my impressions were not that great (old planes minimal service and complete disregard for the comfort of passengers). I flew today from Belgrade to Malpensa (flight from Milan to Belgrade I did with Alitalia with a stopover in Rome) although given my previous experience with JAT I wanted to avoid it at all costs. The plane I got onto was neatly furbished quite comfortable economy class seats great catering for a short-haul flight very warm attitude from the crew. The only minus (and it is a big one) currently online check in is not available. Apparently they are working on it and it should be available soon.

I've flown with JAT (what Air Serbia used to be called). It was a very basic experience to put it mildly. I was flying from London Heathrow to Belgrade yesterday. A great experience there are some bugs to iron out but this isn't first class it's biz class. Firstly the seats were new - they reclined back and the foot part lifted up. You got a big pillow for your back or head and a blanket. We had two stewardesses between 6 of us but I think that is because one of them was training the other. Both women were very friendly and attentive and offered refills throughout the 2hrs 45min flight. The food. Well anyone who has flown with JAT will know the food was something you literally did not bother with. It was sub par. Now I had a 3 course meal with a choice of wines and champagne (or local Serbian brandy if I wanted). The meal was delicious - it was well presented and hot and not overcooked. It was served with fresh bread rolls. I am fussy with things and I couldn't fault it. The cabin was clean. The cutlery was metal. I was offered an iPad but I had my own tablet to watch a film on. A very positive experience indeed.

Travelled BEG to AMS and return in January/February 2014. Professional crew comfortable seats with nice pillows on every seat. The food was delicious. Excellent experience.

Travelled CDG to BEG and return in late December and early January 2014. The plane was clean (A319) and very well presented with nice pillows on every seat. The crew were very happy to help and were smiling the whole time. You can see that they are new because at times they seemed a bit disorganized but overall they were excellent. The food brings this trip to a whole new level. While in other airlines you are lucky to get a pack of crackers here I got a hot meal. What a transformation from the old airline (JAT).

JU 311 12 Dec and JU 314 to Paris on 15 Dec. Friendly and professional crew very comfortable seats plenty of leg room stylish pillows and blankets excellent selection of wine and drinks and delicious meal. When the flight attendant handed me the menu I thought there must be a fee attached. I got a hot meal free. Excellent experience. On a way back was the same. I came to Belgrade airport ground support staff were smiling professional and accommodating. On the flight back the same good service and experience. Have just bought another ticket with Air Serbia to Thessaloniki!

ARN-BEG 27 January 2014. Old plane still but fantastic service and great food. Staff did their uttermost to serve the passengers. Good wines with plenty of refills. Strange though that there was nothing sweet to drink with the coffee like for example Baileys. When the new Airbus will enter service they might be one of the best airlines in Europe.

BEG-AUH-BNE - 21 Dec 2013. Flight 50% full check-in ok but could not issue ticket or select seat on AUH-BNE component of same ticket which was disappointing. Meal reasonable goulash with gnocchi fine lights on for too long would have preferred brightness lowered soon after take-off for night flight. On arrival to AUH had be bussed to terminal crew decent slight attitude - seemed a bit annoyed that I accidentally called. Otherwise friendly during other times meal service and welcome. Plane looked good and I had whole row to myself so that was great. 7.5 out of 10. Also a bit annoyed to find out unable to earn velocity points even on EY's BNE to AUH since ticket issued by Air Serbia. I'm velocity platinum and AUH-BNE also has VA flight code. Going back in a month and checkmytrip was showing both Etihad and Air Serbia flights AUH to BEG until I advised of this hope it was not blocking others from booking.

BEG-SVO 3 Nov 2013. Check in more organized and efficient than before since line separators were used in the terminal building. Boarding efficient and departure on time YU-ANI B733 clean and well maintained with pillows on every seat. Cabin crew in new uniforms and with good and professional attitude. Catering onboard drastically improved it starts with a printed menu distributed even in economy class. Beverage trolleys are well stocked from juice coke wines to scotch (all free of charge). Real cutlery on food trays accompanied by a nice fresh meat / cheese / egg snack yoghurt and fruit salad. All together amazing transition from the old catering serving. Arrival 10 min ahead of schedule. The only improvement could be an additional inflight announcement from the cockpit who only greeted passengers at time of departure from Belgrade.