While I was excited by the idea of trying out a new adventure, the experience itself fell well short of my expectations. Here’s my review of the Air Serbia A330 flight, in business class, where disappointment unfortunately got the better of me.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of travelling extensively around the world. Along the way, I’ve developed a real passion for the fascinating world of aviation. What we call, in the jargon of aviation enthusiasts, an #avgeek. Yes, I’m one of those people who love deciphering the technical details of aircraft, discovering new airlines and sharing my flying experiences.
For me, a flight is never just a journey, but a moment of exploration, an opportunity to discover not only destinations, but also services, cabins and atmospheres that are unique to each airline.
The term #avgeek is used to designate aviation enthusiasts, those who are not content to simply take to the air as a means of transport, but who are interested in every detail of the journey. Whether it’s the study of aircraft, airlines, cabin configurations or the various services on board, an avgeek is above all a lover of the skies. For us, every flight is an adventure, an opportunity to discover new facets of the aerial world, and to share our discoveries with other enthusiasts. Aviation isn’t just an industry, it’s a universe in its own right, full of fascinating nuances and details that, for many of us, go far beyond the simple journey from point A to point B.
So, while searching for flight options to Eastern Europe, I came across an interesting opportunity for a business class flight with Air Serbia, a Star Alliance member airline and therefore eligible for award tickets via Aeroplan. The route was Chicago-Belgrade.
I was immediately drawn to it for two reasons:
The opportunity was too good, and I didn’t hesitate to book the flight, expecting to live a unique experience. But, to my surprise, what I had imagined didn’t quite match reality. While I’m obviously happy to have discovered Belgrade, the experience on board this flight didn’t live up to my expectations.
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Note that you can also use travel rewards points from credit cards such as À la carte Travel with your National Bank World Elite Mastercard and the $150 annual travel credit to cover all or part of your flight.
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Air Serbia is looking to expand on long-haul routes and, to this end, has acquired two Airbus A330s, one from the South African Airways fleet, the other from Aeroflot. Although these aircraft are reliable, they are over 12 years old and bear the marks of their past, both in terms of design and modernization, with recent upgrades in short supply.
We flew on the aircraft formerly operated by South African Airways. To distinguish this aircraft within its fleet, Air Serbia chose to pay tribute to Mihajlo Pupin, a Serbian scientist and inventor famous for his work in telecommunications and his contributions to the field of waves. His portrait, painted on the tail of the aircraft, symbolizes both the cultural heritage and innovation that the company wishes to highlight, while marking this stage of its expansion in Serbia’s modern history.
We opted for seats 1A and 1C, and fortunately, this row offers a little more legroom. As soon as we settled in, it became clear that this flight was a real trip back in time. The seats, with their old-fashioned style and slightly outdated configuration, remind us that this aircraft has seen better days.
The screen, hidden in the central compartment, has to be pulled out manually, like an old lunch tray. In addition to being small, it’s really impractical, especially on a long-haul flight, as it constantly encroaches on our space.
The plugs were even more retro: the USB and electrical ports simply didn’t work on my partner’s side. Fortunately, I had brought a double charging block, so she was able to charge her phone on my side.
Finally, a point often decisive in business class: sleeping comfort. And here, the cabin disappoints. The seats don’t fully recline to 180 degrees, and they’re a far cry from the famous lie-flat seats we’re used to elsewhere. If you’re looking for optimal sleeping conditions, this is not the seat for you.
From the moment we settled in, even before takeoff, Air Serbia’s in-flight service didn’t stand out for its refinement. In business class, expectations are naturally higher, and unfortunately, the experience didn’t quite live up to them. No champagne or sparkling wine, just water or juice (orange or apple), which immediately set a more basic tone to the experience.
The first striking detail was the headphones: instead of a uniform, quality pair, we were handed two different models, one a Sony pair and the other an unknown brand, both of mediocre quality. This lack of consistency immediately highlighted a certain carelessness in the service. Add to this a cumbersome retractable TV that forces you to pull out the screen like an old lunch tray, and you’ll understand how quickly we left the in-flight entertainment system behind.
The food, meanwhile, was served on a tray that looked more like an economy-class service, with a rather perfunctory presentation. At this level of service, especially on a long-haul flight of almost 10 hours, one might have hoped for a little more care. What’s more, the absence of a menu added to the feeling of simplicity, where one would expect a more refined experience, befitting a company aspiring to offer “high-end” service.
On-board service also lacked warmth. The hostesses were courteous and polite, but seemed constantly in a hurry, without much time to spare for each passenger. A quick smile, certainly, but a total lack of commitment to creating a welcoming atmosphere. At breakfast, for example, a simple request for a double espresso took 10 minutes to be served, far too long for business class.
As far as drinks were concerned, the alcohol on offer was also disappointing. We asked for whisky, and the options were limited to Jack Daniels or Jameson. That’s about it. For lovers of whisky or spirits, this minimalist choice is clearly not up to the standards of a company offering premium service.
Finally, the toilets added a further touch of disappointment to a cabin already below expectations. One was closed, while the other two showed obvious signs of neglect: a broken latch and a cupboard that didn’t close properly. This kind of detail, while minor, reflects an overall lack of care that’s hard to ignore in a business-class cabin.
In the end, although the service was polite and professional, it fell short of the standards you’d expect from business class. It wasn’t a catastrophe, but the little imperfections accumulate and tarnish the experience. Compared to other airlines offering true premium service, this cabin seems far inferior.
In all honesty, this business class flight with Air Serbia was a disappointment. I was expecting a certain level of comfort and service, but the experience fell far short of my expectations. The aging cabin, lack of privacy, and small, neglected details, such as cheap headphones or a toilet in poor condition, left me with the impression of a trip back in time, a far cry from today’s business class standards.
Service, while courteous, seemed more hurried than truly customer-oriented, and the absence of small touches of luxury – such as a menu or a welcome drink worthy of the name – amplified this feeling of being on a standard rather than a premium flight. In the end, while it wasn’t a catastrophic experience, there were too many shortcomings for me to really describe it as satisfactory.
Fortunately, the trip took a more pleasant turn during our stopover in Belgrade. Although I wasn’t particularly impressed by this flight, the city itself made up for this disappointment. We had the opportunity to spend less than 24 hours in the Serbian capital, including one night, and I was pleasantly surprised by its atmosphere.
We took advantage of our time to go for a jog along the river, then enjoyed an excellent meal in a restaurant with a splendid view of the Church of St. Sava, a true city landmark. On the morning of our departure, we also tried out the Air Serbia Premium Lounge at the airport, which proved to be a pleasant surprise with its relaxed atmosphere and friendly service. All in all, Belgrade was a wonderful discovery and a warm welcome that made us forget, for a while, the disappointments of the flight.
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