50-year throwback: JAT's tour around the world

Written by Veljko Marinković

An event that took place exactly fifty years ago serves as a prime example of how different aviation was in the past compared to today. Belgrade was both the first and last stop on JAT's historic around-the-world tour, which departed on November 10 in 1974. Passengers had the unique opportunity to visit Manhattan, the Taj Mahal, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Wat Phou monument, unwind on Hawaiian beaches, enjoy sushi in Tokyo, or savour authentic baba ghanoush in Beirut - all on a single journey.

JAT's first around-the-world tour, 1974

JAT's charter division, Air Yugoslavia, organised the airline’s first around-the-world tour, stopping in Belgrade, Beirut, Bombay, Singapore, Tokyo, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, London, and returning to Belgrade. This tour spanned more than 40,000 kilometres over 19 days. As part of the JAT AirLift program, JAT’s intercontinental aircraft, a Boeing 707-321C (YU-AGA), crossed three continents, three oceans, and all time zones, landing at eight airports worldwide. With 170 passengers on board, the Boeing 707 took off from Belgrade at 8 p.m. on November 10, embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime journey. Some passengers likely reflected on the adventures of Jovanče Micića, the protagonist in Branislav Nušić's popular book, Put oko sveta (A Journey Around the World).

Passengers checking in for JAT's first around-the-world tour > JAT Boeing 707 YU-AGA pictured during final preparations before departure > Passengers disembarking after completing the tour, Belgrade Airport, 1974

Several leading airlines of the time offered round-the-world flights, prompting JAT to do the same to stay in line with global trends. Additionally, chartering during the winter months helped maximise aircraft utilisation, as JAT otherwise operated charter flights to North America and Australia, with seasonality heavily impacting EX-YU aviation. Notably, this was not Belgrade Airport's first experience with a world tour: in 1963, Pan Am’s world tour brought the first American aircraft to Belgrade’s then-newly opened airport, with stops that included New York, London, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Tehran, Karachi, New Delhi, Calcutta, Rangoon, Bangkok, Saigon, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Honolulu, and San Francisco.

JAT promo posters for the fifth world tour, published in NIN magazine, 1976

The JAT AirLift package included two nights’ accommodation in each city, all transfers, a tour guide for sightseeing, a four-star hotel with half-board, and, of course, the airline tickets. Interestingly, a JAT doctor was among the crew, always available to passengers. The crew and aircraft stayed with the passengers at each destination. All seats for the inaugural world tour were sold in just twenty days, despite the high promotional price for the time (864 USD).

JAT flight crew in front of the Ramada Inn Hotel at Niagara Falls during the fifth world tour, 1976 > Captain Živko Jerinić and Boeing 707 at Buffalo Niagara Airport > JAT B707 taxiing at San Francisco Airport during its third world tour in November 1975 (Belgrade-New Delhi-Bangkok-Hong Kong-Kyoto-Tokyo-Honolulu-San Francisco-Buffalo-New York JFK-Belgrade)

Due to the high and unexpected demand, JAT quickly organised a second tour, departing Belgrade on December 25, 1974, and running until January 13, 1975. This new itinerary included New Delhi, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kyoto, San Francisco, and Buffalo, replacing stops in Beirut, Bangkok, and Los Angeles. Flights were scheduled with shorter flights (up to six hours) in the early morning to allow daytime city tours, while longer flights were flown overnight. The Boeing 707 was in the air for 55 hours on this tour, helping flight crews keep their licenses current. In total, five world tours were organised, with three more taking place in the winter of 1975-1976. After launching JAT's scheduled service to North America and Australia, passengers could independently book destinations previously included in the JAT AirLift program. As passenger volume and aircraft utilisation increased, around-the-world tours were eventually discontinued.

JAT AirLift Program

Next year, those interested in experiencing travel reminiscent of JAT’s Golden Age of travel fifty years ago will have a rare opportunity. According to SimpleFlying.com, Pan Am will make a legendary return from June 27 to July 9, 2025, with a 12-day transatlantic journey. The tour will cover historic transatlantic destinations, including New York, Bermuda, Lisbon, Marseille, London, and Foynes. A privately chartered Boeing 757 with an all-business-class cabin featuring modern lie-flat seats will be used. At a price of $59,950, passengers will experience a journey where "travel itself was a glamorous experience, and the journey was as important as the destination".

JAT's second around-the-world tour, 1974

JAT's fourth around-the-world tour, 1976

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