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.
I’d like to search for Ratko Mladic and visit Slobodan Milosevich’s family. Oh, wait, they found Ratko Mladic. NVM, maybe I could visit the internment camps where they starved the Croats.
or…maybe Srebrenica, to search for bones
I think visiting Kalemegdan/Belgrade Fortress at sunset would be super cool…I’d totally bring a date! 😛
I think that the best thing about Air Serbia’s new New York JFK – Belgrade non-stop flight is just the ability to connect to a country/Eastern Europe that was rather lacking before. Eastern Europe has always been harder to get to on a weekend jaunt, and this opens up many more opportunities to visit and explore the region.
1. The herringbone lie-flat seat!!
2. Having traveled a bit in Eastern Europe, Serbia and the rest of the Balkans are up there on my European hot list. Want to visit the fortress, chapel, other historic sites and stroll the Knez Mihailova.
It all sounds like good fun…i would love to take a swim in Ada Ciganlija and enjoy the Serbian country side!
St. Petka’s Chapel sounds and looks like an awesome adventure!!! I would love the opportunity to take it all in…!!!
The best thing about the flight is that I can drive anywhere around the region in less than 5 hours. There are no other direct flight around so this is a perfect opportunity for me to explore Eastern Europe. In addition, if I don’t win, the flight is very affordable so I will probably still go. It seems like Air Serbia is transforming into a great airline.
Other than museums and ‘general’ things to do, I want to explore Belgrade’s night life to the fullest. I would take another party friend and just go with the flow.
1. Luxury Service with perfect dreams above all clouds.
2. I want to see the whole beauty of Serbia and especially Belgrade.
I would love to swim in Ada Ciganlija and explore the surrounding countryside.
Best thing about the NY – Belgrade flight will be easier connections when planning travel to Serbia. Plus, to take advantage of the great service Air Serbia offers on a longer trip, rather than just the short hops from within Europe.
Looking most forward to visiting family.
The non- stop flight would get us to our destination quicker so we could have more time to spend in Serbia soaking up the culture and natural beauty.
I love to get a sense of a place by exploring the neighborhoods so I would start with Knez Mihailova. I’ve never been to Eastern Europe, or Europe for that matter, so this would be a trip of a lifetime.
A non-stop flight to Belgrade with lie flat business class seats is the best! Awesome new route to Eastern Europe!
The fully flat seating on Air Serbia would make the long flight much more comfortable than what you find on traditional airlines.
The Belgrade Fortress would be at the top of my list. Next would be to call my son who was recently transferred to Austria and have him and his family meet me there so we could explore together!
Best thing is definitely getting somewhere awesome faster, and then being able to visit the Knez Mihailova.
Making Serbia the first stop on a Eastern European adventure… first stop, Belgrade Fortress 🙂
Answer to #1: The best thing is the historical significance of this being the only nonstop flight from the US to the Balkans region allowing for more cross cultural awareness, aligned with the modern amenities and impeccable service.
Answer to Question #2: Grab a Rajika at one of the famous boat bars!
Best part is visiting family
I would love to visit Belgrade Fortress.
The only thing I need in Belgrade is the Ethnographic Museum. I’d love to visit my cousin in Sombor, and travel south to see my late father’s village between Vranje and Leskovac, maybe visit Prohor Pčinjski.
I think the Best thing abt Air Serbia’s NYC – Belgrade route is it’s convenience. Finally a direct connection!
PS when we post, I see a message indicating moderation is happening. If that’s the case, your moderator has really dropped the ball on some fairly inflammatory and inappropriate comments. It’s a travel blog, everyone – stick to that topic.
The best thing about the flight is being able to get to eastern Europe at a reasonable time instead of having to connect and arriving late in the day.
The best part of the flight is direct service to Belgrade, a cheap and underrated corner of Eastern Europe with a savvy, sophisticated populace.
The flight sounds amazing! Can’t wait to check out EY’s lounge.
In Serbia: eat a ton of burek. Probably actually close to a ton.
In Belgrade the first thing I would want to do is check out the Knez Mihailova. I’ve seen a lot of charming corners of Europe, so for a place to bill itself as the most charming is certainly a draw!
Love the herringbone seat config.
Best reason to visit would be to stroll down Knez Mihailova and enjoy the local vibe.
The best thing about the non-stop flight is not having to transit a mid-point like London to get there!
Best thing is that i can go Belgrade directly from the airport next to my home 10 miles away.
would like to experience the different culture from Belgrade when visit Belgrade
Question Number One: The best thing about the new NY to Belgrade flight is that I am going to be flying it in business class!
Question Number Two: I can’t wait to stroll the streets and meet the Serbian people!
#1 Who wouldn’t want a luxurious nap in a lie-flat seat before an amazing journey like this to an exotic land?!
#2 – Can’t wait to try a Rakija on a cobblestone street cafe and watch the world go by!
I have been planning a trip to Croatia so this would be great timing and a great jumping off point. Plans include Rovinj, Dubrovnik, and Split.
I am really looking forward to seeing the Roman amphitheater in Pula along with Trogir and the Game of Throne sites in Dubrovnik.
I’d enjoy taking a river cruise (or tour) on the Danube or Saur.
It will be nice to be able to go to Eastern Europe and not have to transfer in London like we usually do
A transatlantic flight with full lie down beds in Business Class is great. Can’t wait
The best thing about the route is not having to connect on the way in any of the giant airports, with the extra hassle of more security screening – and then trying to find the connecting gate!
The best thing about JFK-BEG fight is the ability to visit Serbia and easily connect to the balkans or Greece.
I want to go to Serbia to explore Skadarlija in Belgrade!
The best thing about Air Serbia’s new New York JFK – Belgrade non-stop flight is the ease of getting into Serbia without having to play around in Germany or Amsterdam.
1. Best thing: a new route offering herringbone business transatlantic. Seems like a nice ride.