Giveaway: 2 Business Class Tickets Celebrating Air Serbia’s Launch at New York JFK!

by Gary Leff

Today Air Serbia launches its new New York JFK – Belgrade non-stop with an Airbus A330 they’ve named for Serbian inventor Nikola Tesla.

I had to laugh on Tuesday when I was One Mile at a Time giving away business class seats on Air Serbia’s new flight — because I had scheduled to do the exact same thing, coinciding with the route’s launch.

As is common, I received a PR e-mail. They offered a giveaway of a couple of coach tickets. I imagine Lucky received the same. I asked if we could make it business class tickets, and I’d be happy to share those with readers.

Air Serbia is an Etihad partner airline, and they’re great to work with. The Air Serbia Airbus A330 has a lie flat business class. So I was thrilled to be able to share this as a giveaway.

And for those of you with Citi ThankYou Rewards, you can transfer points to Etihad Guest and redeem them for travel on Air Serbia. New York JFK – Belgrade costs 44,970 miles each way in economy or 64,082 miles in business class. Upgrade awards are available as well.

The new 4511 mile, 8 hour 50 minute flight is an opportunity for readers to visit Serbia, which is still off the beaten path for many in the US. And it’s a great place to connect to Eastern Europe and the Mideast.

Service is 5 times weekly, with flight schedules varying by day of week.

Air Serbia’s Business Class — What I’m Giving Away to Readers!

Air Serbia’s long haul business class offers fully flat seating. Seats are in a herringbone configuration similar to Virgin Atlantic’s business class.

Air Serbia’s Lounge at New York JFK

Air Serbia operates out of New York JFK Terminal 4. That’s the same terminal as Etihad, and Air Serbia premium passengers have access to Etihad’s new lounge which is certainly one of the better airport lounges in the United States.

Etihad doesn’t contract their lounge out to any other airlines. So Air Serbia passengers are the first flyers not on Etihad to be able to access this lounge which I wrote about back in March.

The lounge features both a hot and cold buffet, sit down dining from a great menu, and a very nice bar. There are fantastic tarmac views all alongside as well. Arrive early, have a drink and a meal, and you’ll be well-prepared to sleep onboard.

Things to Do in Serbia

I have never been to Serbia, and I admit I’m a bit jealous of the reader that wins the tickets because there’s no better way to go than non-stop in a good business class (and free). I’ve never taken a comped trip of this sort, I always pass them along to readers.

Since I don’t have suggestions of what to do while you’re there, I figured what better advice to get than from Air Serbia itself. So I asked for some suggestions. Here’s what they offered:

  • Ada Ciganlija: Known colloquially as “Belgrade’s Sea” the white pebbled beach is actually a lake made by the Sava River, enjoyed by thousands in the summer who swim and flock to the many surrounding cafes.

  • Belgrade Fortress: One of the world’s oldest strongholds, its location between the Sava and Danube made it a cultural dispute for ages. While invaded more than 100 times, it is currently the largest free attraction of the city.

  • Grab a Rajika: As one of the largest plum exporters in the world, Belgrade is known for its national drink, a fruit brandy known as the Rakija. Take in the thriving nightlife the city is famous for with a sip (or glass).

  • Saint Petka’s Chapel: Situated outside the Kalemegdan fortress, this is one of the smallest and most beautiful churches in the city, originally built in 1867. Several legends surround this chapel, many claiming the spring that runs beneath it contains healing powers.

  • Knez Mihailova: Nestled between Terazije Square and Kalemegdan, this promenade is the central meeting point and epicenter of the city for most Belgradians. It is considered one of the most beautiful and historic pedestrian streets in all of Eastern Europe.

Ric Garrido (of Loyalty Traveler) notes that “the city is known for dance clubs and all-night party boats on the Danube in summer. It is considered one of the hot up and coming nightlife spots of Europe for travelers. And very inexpensive by US standards.”

Air Serbia as a Great Connecting Option

Serving more than 40 destinations, Air Serbia is a great way to get to places like:

  • Athens and Thessaloniki
  • Beirut and Tel Aviv as well as Istanbul and Abu Dhabi
  • Bucharest, Sofia, Warsaw and Prague
  • Kiev, Ukraine and multiple destinations in Russia
  • Cyprus and Malta
  • Dubrovnik, Pula, Split, and Zagreb in Croatia


Copyright: boscorelli / 123RF Stock Photo

Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport terminal 2 allows 30 minute domestic connections — and an online Air Serbia-Air Serbia international connection is permitted with just 45 minutes. It’s an easier connection to make than Frankfurt, Paris Charles de Gaulle, or London Heathrow for sure.

How to Win 2 Business Class Tickets

To enter, let me know in the comments your answer either to:

  1. What’s the best thing about Air Serbia’s new New York JFK – Belgrade non-stop flight?

  2. What do you most want to do when visiting Serbia?

Enter by Tuesday, June 28 at Noon Eastern. Each person may enter two times with separate comments answering each of the two questions above. The winner will be selected with the help of Random.org.

Here are the terms and conditions of the free business class tickets:

1. The prize entitles the winner to return Business tickets for travel from New York-JFK to Belgrade vv. The journey must commence and terminate in New York.
2. The tickets are valid only for travel on Air Serbia operated flights and will be booked in Business Class.
3. Tickets must be issued and travel must be completed by 25.March. 2017.
4. The tickets are non-transferable; once the reservation has been made, the names may not subsequently be changed.
5. Whilst every effort will be made to provide the flights on the dates requested, there may be certain flights and/or dates on which no seats can be made available. Regardless of the availability, no seats can be made available during the following blackout periods. 01.07.2016-31.08.2016.
6. The tickets have no monetary value and cannot be exchanged or refunded for cash, cheques or for any other route or destination.
7. The tickets may not be sold – if it is found that the tickets have been sold, the prize will be annulled and the tickets withdrawn and not accepted for travel.
8. Name and flight details cannot be changed after the ticket has been issued.
9. The winner alone is responsible for ensuring that all documentation, authorizations and visas required to complete the journey are obtained in good time before the journey commences. Air Serbia will not accept any liability for cancellation of the journey and any associated costs due to incorrect documentation or unsuccessful visa applications.
10. Any additional arrangements, for example additional flights, car hire, tours and hotel accommodation can be booked through Air Serbia at additional cost to be borne by the winner. These do not form part of the prize.
11. Air Serbia reserves the right to change its schedule and services from time to time. If any such changes should result in cancellation of any flights, Air Serbia will make every effort to offer alternative dates and/or flights.
12. The prize winner agrees to accept these conditions and also to accept the standard Air Serbia conditions of carriage applicable for all tickets.
13. No Etihad Guest Miles can be earned as part of this booking
14. There is no limo access valid for this booking

I would add that by entering this contest you signify your agreement that all contest decisions are final and unappealable, and that you waive any claims or damages or any kind. I’m trying to do a giveaway here please do not make it difficult on me for doing so!

For avoidance of doubt I am not compensated in any way for offering this giveaway. I merely have the opportunity to connect a reader with business class tickets on the new Air Serbia non-stop from New York JFK which seemed like a cool opportunity.

Update: I think there are folks following the heard, seeing people post two answers in a single comment and therefore doing the same themselves. Each comment is a separate entry. So in order to enter twice you need to comment once with an answer to one question and comment again with an answer to the second question – since I’ll be using Random.org to select a winning comment number.

About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

More articles by Gary Leff »

Comments

  4. More direct flights to Europe is always good, but even better is that as far as I know there aren’t any direct flights to Belgrade (or not many) from the US, so having this new option sounds like a great way to visit a “lesser known” European country!

  6. What do I most want to do in Serbia? Well, does just enjoying the culture of a place complete unlike the rest of Europe count? The closest I’ve been in Eastern Europe is probably Slovakia, so I’d mostly just love to engross myself in the transition Serbia is in the middle of. But, I also love history, so exploring the old parts of Belgrade (and towns outside of it) would be the top of my list. Plum brandy sounds pretty good too. Basically I’d love to do lots of things in Serbia. Probably even drag my friend who speaks Serbian along with me!

  7. The best part of the new service is the ability to fly non-stop between JFK and BEG and earn Etihad miles

  10. The best thing about Air Serbia’s new New York JFK – Belgrade non-stop flight is that I can get there faster than on any other airline!

  12. What’s the best thing about Air Serbia’s new New York JFK – Belgrade non-stop flight?

    The fact that is finally exists at all. Going to Serbia direct is not an easy task from the States, and Air Serbia has filled a void that will know connect countless people here in the U.S. to the beautiful Balkan region of the world.

  13. What’s the best thing about Air Serbia’s new New York JFK – Belgrade non-stop flight?
    Non-stop convenience! Right now, I will have to take a 2-3 flight plan to make it to Serbia from the US. Non-stop flights are so helpful!

    What do you most want to do when visiting Serbia?
    I haven’t been back to see friends and my family living in Serbia in 10 years! I’m really looking forward to going back to see them, but also how the entire country has developed, being able to experience it as an adult and not just a child anymore.

  14. What do you most want to do when visiting Serbia?

    Having been to Croatia to track down our family roots, we have been directed towards Belgrade to continue our research. Sadly while in Croatia, we did not have enough time to make it to Serbia to continue our quest. Would love to get to Serbia and learn more about where out family comes from and perhaps meet long lost family members.

  15. Best thing about Air Serbia’s new non-stop is being able to get to Serbia easily and in comfort.

    What I most want to do in Serbia is spend time with my good friend who lives in Belgrade and who will show me around his beautiful country.

  19. Best thing about direct flight Bg- Ny is faster and cheeper connection between Serbia and Eastern Europe and USA. Another benefit is more business to Serba and USA as more then a million people live in USA ! Third Belgrade is a big capital city and should have direct flight with USA !
    Best places in Serbia to visit:
    1. Zemun / gardosh- old part by the river with best restaurants and beautiful walking aria.
    2. Saint Sava HRAM- it’s the biggest church on Balkan
    3. SKADARLIJA/ most beautiful unique and old street in center of Belgrade
    4. Kalimegdan is beautiful full of history

    …… And so much more!!!! One Belgrade citizen is giving this advances so please you all reading it try to visit! I live in USA now but in my heart every day I m in my beautifu city . I can smell it and feel it with my eyes closed! I wish I can visit my country more often!!!! Enjoy! Every peace and part of my country is beautiful and it’s worth seeing!
    People are warm and will welcome you everywhere!
    Most beautiful woman in the world/ they all look like models! Man are beautiful too!

  21. Belgrade Fortress, & of course grab a drink (or 2) of Rajika! Always love more non-stop service and another option to connect outside of the London, Paris, Frankfurt etc.

  22. Knez Mihailova, St.Sava church and pretty much everything they recommend … very nice to have another non-stop/connection alternative in Europe!

  23. 1. Best thing about the direct flights BEG-NY is that Ex-yu countries finally have a direct flight to the States.

  28. Best thing about the flight? Access to the Ethihad lounge! 🙂
    What I would do in Belgrade? Visit the Nicola Tesla museum (natch), eat at the top 3 ranked restaurants on Trip Advisor (and add my opinion!), and walk off the meals strolling around the Kalemegdan and the rest of the town. Then put it all back on again on the flight home, hehe 🙂

  30. The best part is that the flight is non stop, out of JFK , with a great lounge to visit to start of a great trip to Belgrade.

  31. Lie flat on a new route is always a big plus.
    And would love to check out that fort while there.

  32. 1. The best thing about the new BEG-JFK nonstop service is the quick connection for the Balkan Diaspora, and their families and friends traveling to visit each other.

  33. 2. When visiting Serbia, my favorite thing to do is visit my family in Belgrade and Subotica, as well.as visit the beautiful national parks (like Kosmaj) that Serbia has to offer!

  36. 1. The best thing is finally having a direct, nonstop link between my hometown and Serbia!

    2. I most want to visit the St. Sava church.

  37. 1. The best part is being able to try a new (for me) transatlantic business class.

    2. I would love to try Serbian cuisine.

  38. 1) I’d certainly enjoy trying an Etihad partner airline’s business class to see how it compares to the parent company

  39. 2) I’d love to visit Serbia to not only check another country off the list, but also see how the nightlife compares to that of Paris, London, Amsterdam, and especially Berlin!

  44. Best part is having another non stop option to get from the US to Eastern Europe. The fact that the business class looks awesome is a nice bonus!

  50. I’m most looking forward to visiting Belgrade as it’s a European capital that I haven’t been to before.

Comments are closed.