Air Serbia has been making headlines lately with its service, particularly on its economy flights. Recently, a traveler shared their experience flying with Air Serbia on an Airbus A320 from Amsterdam to Belgrade, followed by a connection to Podgorica. The journey provided insights into the airline's offerings and the current state of Belgrade Airport, which is undergoing significant renovations.
The author began their journey with a somewhat slow check-in process. The Air Serbia website lacked clarity on where to check in, leading to initial confusion. However, once the traveler navigated through the check-in, the remainder of the process was smooth. After enjoying breakfast in the Privium lounge and grabbing an AmEx lounge box at Grab&Go, it was time to board the flight. The flight departed from gate E4, which was about a five-minute walk from the lounge.
At the gate, boarding was relatively busy, but it proceeded smoothly after a short wait. The flight was operated by an Airbus A320, which accommodates a total of 170 passengers, including eight seats reserved for business class. The economy section was quite full, and the cabin crew assisted passengers with luggage placement in the overhead compartments. Although the seat was satisfactory, it lacked the ability to recline, which some passengers might find uncomfortable.
After a brief delay of about 10 minutes, the flight took off from Schiphol Airport. About 20 minutes into the flight, the crew distributed sandwiches and bottles of water. While the sandwich was not of the highest quality, it was complimentary and provided sustenance for the journey. For those wanting more, a menu was available for ordering additional food and drinks, although the traveler opted not to order anything, having brought their own lounge box.
After approximately 2.5 hours of flying, the aircraft began its descent into Belgrade, arriving with a slight delay. Upon arrival, the traveler had access to the temporary Business Lounge at Belgrade Airport, courtesy of their Priority Pass membership through an American Express Platinum card. The airport is undergoing extensive renovations, which has temporarily relocated the lounge to the A-gates. Despite the temporary setup, it provided a quiet space for relaxation, although the food and drink options were basic, reflecting the lounge's transitional state.
Belgrade Airport processed over 8.3 million passengers last year, and the renovations aim to accommodate even more in the future. As the airport continues to evolve, it remains a critical hub for travelers in the region.
Meanwhile, Belgrade Airport's recent passenger statistics reveal a mixed performance. In March 2025, the airport welcomed 556,043 passengers, marking a decrease of 0.4% compared to the same month last year. Interestingly, the number of aircraft movements increased by 2.7%, although overall capacity was down by 0.2%. During the first quarter of 2025, the airport handled 1,615,268 travelers, which represents an improvement of 0.4% on the same period in 2024, equating to an additional 5,869 passengers.
Looking ahead, Belgrade Airport is set to return to growth in April, with current scheduled capacity up by 10.3% compared to the previous year. This positive outlook reflects the airport's efforts to adapt and expand, even amidst ongoing renovations.
In conclusion, the traveler's experience with Air Serbia was largely positive, despite some minor hiccups. The service was satisfactory, and the overall journey was smooth. With the airport's renovations and the airline's service improvements, both travelers and the airport are poised for a promising future.
