TRIP REPORT
I recently flew from Paris to Belgrade on board Air Serbia. I purchased a business class ticket and overall had a good experience. The airline uses terminal 2E at Charles de Gaulle. I was able to check in online and skip the ques at the airport.
Using the pandemic as an excuse, Air Serbia has stopped offering its business class passengers lounge access at any airport besides its own lounge in Belgrade and the PrimeClass lounge at New York JFK. This is really poor form in my opinion. Air Serbia says, “We will continue to follow the situation closely, and work together with our lounge partners to reintroduce the benefits for our Business Class passengers and members of Air Serbia Etihad Guest Platinum and Gold Tier”. It’s almost 2 years since the pandemic began and almost all airport lounges have reopened across Europe, so this explanation does not hold.
I couldn't help it, so I decided to have a light meal at the cafe near the gate and waited for boarding to begin there. Soon enough it was time to board my flight. The aircraft being used on the evening was an Airbus A319 (YU-APD).
The seat is the standard economy seat with the middle seat blocked. In total, there were two business class passengers and myself on the flight. Two rows were used for business class while the rest was economy, separated by a curtain divider.
Before takeoff the menus were distributed, and the meal and bavarage orders were taken by the cabin crew. There were three hot meal choices which I think is above and beyond what most European airlines on a flight lasting about two hours offer. I opted for the gratinated bream fish with mashed potatoes and spinach. The other choices were either the turkey fillet or the gnocchi with gorgonzola sauce. The meal was delicious.
Unfortunately, there was no Wi-Fi available on this plane, even though the aircraft actually has a WiFi antenna. I think Air Serbia has discontinued this service. Meanwhile, the toilet was clean and some of the amenities had the Air Serbia logo on it.
Overall the flight was good. The crew was polite and hardworking. Meals were served promptly, and the food was delicious. My only criticism is about the lounges, which I think should be offered to business class and tier qualifying passengers across their network, like it was in the past.
The flight on the way back was similar so I won’t share details, but I did enjoy the Air Serbia Premium Lounge, which is probably one of the better European lounges I’ve been to. It is also a good alternative to get away from all the construction at the airport.
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Air Serbia offers the best Business class meal choice out of all the European Airlines. It's good that they are keeping their standards up.
ReplyDeleteNot true! Have you tried Aeroflot business class menu? In addition you also get a true business class seat and experience.
DeleteNice report
ReplyDeletewow really good of them to offer 3 hot meals on a short inter European flight!
ReplyDeleteSince they changed the seats I did not and will not fly business anymore. I really liked the seats they had before.
ReplyDelete+1000%! Although many will say it is in line with what the others are doing ... I am of course not buying that as an excuse.
DeleteThanks for the report. Air Serbias Menucard definitely needs a facelift. Doesnt really looks inviting.
ReplyDeleteWhy? it really looks very Mac Donaldish! ))) I am joking of course; you are completely right!
DeleteMy thought exactly! Food presentation must be better too, nowdays if it's not Instagramable it's not good enough, at least for certain target group who "invest" in showing off. I would like them to rethink design completely.
DeleteCertainly better than Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Iberia, TAP, British Airways, Air Framce and the likes that have no menu on short flights (or food options).
DeleteSure, but in business you are looking at better performances as benchmark, not worse ones.
DeleteFor bussines class lounge on foregin airports is not true. I was at Copenhagen Kastup with upgrade bussines class ticket and they said that i can go to aviator lounge. I was there 3 minutes before closing so i havent tried it.
ReplyDeleteOk, business class seems okay but claiming it is one of Europe's best is pretty exaggerated. Hey, forget about Turkish Airlines and definitely check or Google the Aerlingus AERSPACE class. Now, this is 21st century business.
ReplyDeleteWho claimed it was Europe's best business class? And speaking of Aerlingus Aerspace, it is exactly the same as what other European airlines offer in business class. A blocked middle seat.
DeleteThanks for your nice report. Was the fish meal your first option? My business class experience was - 2 passengers, 2 meals. First come, first serve. But it was OK.
ReplyDeletePaying business class fares on short-haul flights is such a waste of money and (excuse me for saying) very pedestrian, regardless which airline one flies. To me it would make so much more sence to fly economy and then use the money difference and treat yourself with a nice dinner at your destination. But hey, that's just my humble opinion.
ReplyDelete