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:
- What’s the best thing about Air Serbia’s new New York JFK – Belgrade non-stop flight?
- 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.
2. I want to see the Tesla Museum
Lie flat seats, and opportunity to visit the Ethiad lounge prior to flight.
best thing is the lie flat seat
i would love to visit the Tesla museum
1. Best thing about this route is that it is the only way to get to Serbia and the rest of Balkans directly from US without a connection.
What’s the best thing about Air Serbia’s new New York JFK – Belgrade non-stop flight? — A nonstop flight to Central/Eastern Europe is a great idea for travelers. Close to Ukraine!
1. Best thing is new route allowing easy access further east with no connections.
2.. eat and drink different food and beer
The best thing about the flight is the ability to fly direct to a lesser known city in Europe. Everyone knows someone who has been to Paris or Rome, but who do you know that’s been to Belgrade?
When visiting Serbia I would dive into their local food/drink options, and explore cafes 🙂
The best thing about the non stop flight is not having to worry about delays when using connecting flights! I cannot wait to take advantage of this direct flight. Also it’s a shorter amount of travel. You can get there way faster. 🙂
I’d most like to visit Ada Ciganlija. I’m always down for any sort of beach or water action!
The Best thing about the flight is the lie flat seats to a destination that many don’t frequent to
Party all night
The best thing about this new flight is the additional connection opportunities to other eastern European cities.
Eat and drink new and interesting drinks
The thing I’d like to do most in Belgrade is try Rajika. I always love trying different drinks from around the world.
I cannot wait to explore the city of Belgrade with my husband. I love to travel and learn different cultures. Trying new foods and drinks!
2. I most want to visit Tara National Park
The best thing about the non-stop jfk-beg flight is air Serbia’s service. I have flown them several times in the last year or so, and have found them to have excellent service on board. They were very helpful with my wife and four month old on board, much kinder than any other us airline (dl, aa, as). Also the a330 is ex-jet airways, looks to be nicely updated. Keeping fingers crossed!
I like that the plane is named after Tesla
The thing I would like to do most in Serbia is visit the interior, it is a place of rich history, like most of the Balkans. Perhaps a journey south to see one of the famous monasteries (unicef world heritage sites).
I most want to check out this nightlife Ric is talking about
The best thing about the flight is that it is non-stop
Lie flat seats
I would definitely do the Tesla museum.
1. The new flight
2. Eat all of the food
1) Ability to visit a country still somewhat “off the grid” via a non-stop lie-flat flight and 2) experience the local food/drink culture scene.
1. The lounge access
2. The beautiful sites
2) I’d love to go birding in Fruska Gora!
1. Access to the Etihad lounge at JFK.
1) lie-flat seats, and I actually like the herringbone too
I want to try out those party boats on the Danube!
While in Serbia, I want to visit Ada Ciganlija
I’d love to be able to visit Belgrade. Being able to go to lesser known European country would be amazing. The lie flat seats don’t hurt either.
Thanks for all you do Gary!
2. Enjoying the many cafes on Strahinjića Bana.
Opportunity to visit a new country and experience a new airline’s premium product, and the chance to visit Etihad’s JFK lounge once more!
The best thing about the new service is its NON STOP and you no longer need to change planes to get to Belgrade!
1) Another option to fly into E. Europe and first to fly into old Yugoslavia countries.
I read that if you visit their banking museum, you can have your face put on a dinar note! As a former finance geek, that sounds really cool. Anyway, that would be a great souvenir to bring home from Belgrade!
I’d visit Saint Petka’s Chapel.
The best thing about the non-stop flight could be the lie flat seat, that looks surprisingly wide, or the lounge access.
Being an airlplane/airport geek, I’d love to visit the Aviation Museum in Belgrade.
The best thing about the nonstop Air Serbia flight to Belgrade is the fact that it’s a nonstop route to a unique corner of Europe. Also, it’s just long enough to have a restful sleep in the lie flat bed!
As a history nerd, id love to visit Belgrade Fortress (as well as other sites).
Lie flat seats on an exciting business class product!
1. An added option for non-stop to the Balkans, which intrigues me and I’ve never been.
1. Dat Etihad lounge tho
2. Want to eat all the cevapcici (sausages). Also would consider a side trip to try to see step in-laws in Macedonia.
The thing I’d like to do most in Serbia is take in the medieval architecture and art at one of the many beautiful monasteries!
The best thing about Air Serbia to Belgrade l think will be the longer flight, deep into Europe, will allow one to enjoy the onboard experience more than flights to western European cities, where the flights can feel “short.”