Air Serbia is looking to standardise its long-haul cabin product across its two Airbus A330-200 aircraft and has expressed interest in a new seat being developed by ATR, which would enable the introduction of business class on its turboprop fleet. Air Serbia’s second A330-200, registered YU-ARC, which joined the carrier’s fleet late last year, is undergoing wide-ranging maintenance at Turkish Technic in Istanbul, however, it is unlikely to get the initially planned new cabins for the time being. In an interview for EX-YU Aviation News, the company’s CEO, Jiri Marek, explained, “Upcoming maintenance is the twelve-year check, which will last over one month. The plan is for the fleet to be ready for the summer season and the start of the Chicago service, which we will launch in May. Our ultimate goal is to standardise the cabin proposition and, originally, we planned during this maintenance to get a very similar cabin to YU-ARB [the airline’s other A330], which could potentially be the future concept of our cabin. The project included business class and economy cabins with brand new seats. However, Covid has had a severe impact on the supply chain and there is a marked and wide-reaching domino effect. When you identify the seats, you start to have problems with IFE [in-flight entertainment] providers and many other things. Hence, the cabin retrofit will happen at a later stage”, Mr Marek said.
The CEO said developing new seats for the wide-body fleet is a notable step in the development of the company’s on-board product. “This kind of change is very significant and currently you have to wait six to eight months only for engineering. We are in close contact with Airbus and other providers and are working on a concept but unfortunately it won’t happen before this summer season. We would like to do it as soon as we get all the approvals and assurances that it can be done”. He added, “Finding secondary market seats which correspond to your aircraft type is now almost impossible. This was possible during Covid, when there were many grounded aircraft, but not anymore. This is why YU-ARB was done during delivery which was in April 2021. On the other hand, getting new seats that are available on the market, raises the issue of compatibility with the IFE which is currently on board”.
The airline is looking into potentially introducing business class on its ATR aircraft. The plane manufacturer presented its X-Space Table seating concept last year. ATR describes X-Space as a “plug and play” solution that allows airlines to convert double seats into premium seats, with the seatback and armrest on one side removed and replaced with a side table. Similar to Eurobusiness-style seats, where the central seat in a row of three aboard a narrow-body is not sold to provide more space, X-Space will allow ATR operators to offer a 1-1 layout in support of a premium class configuration. Air Serbia is considering becoming the launch customer for the seat. “This is an idea we strongly believe we have the business segment for. We are looking into it, but much depends on the progress of the project. A lot of these projects are presented now but will take time to develop”, Mr Marek concluded.
 |
| ATR business class seat concept |
That ATR seat looks absolutely amazing, and it makes sense - but only if 320 fleet gets dedicated business class too!
ReplyDeleteDoubt it. The ATR business seat is practical because the crew an easily change it into 2 seats depending on sales. On the A320, that's not possible.
DeleteNot sure about ATR business class being a focus but definitely need to improve the business class product especially as they increase North America long haul as it’s a competitive market and sorting out loyalty scheme as well will also help.
ReplyDeleteAlso hope that they use any business class product like amentity kit that they use it to showcase Serbian products and brands.
Agree about the amenity kits. I doubt it is such huge cost.
Delete+1000
DeleteThey could have a more basic kit for A320 and ATR flights and a more comprehensive one for A330 intercontinental flights.
I'm happy to have my long haul amenity kit from JU when they had them. I liked the design with the stylized Air Serbia logo over the kit.
DeleteSomething like this would be more than enough :)
Deletehttps://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/31MAAOSwBjtiyE2O/s-l1600.jpg
Oh and the contents
Deletehttps://thumbs.worthpoint.com/zoom/images2/1/0807/05/travel-pack-jat-yugoslav-airlines-adriatic-club_1_40980b49928c88f7978a9411f61234ed.jpg
They also had these ones which looked even nicer to me
Deletehttps://static.kupindoslike.com/JAT-Adriatic-Club-Class-neseser_slika_XL_54369711.jpg
+1
Delete@Anon 9:25
DeleteNo European airline distributes amenity kits on short-haul flights, why would JU?
So they will actually get brand new seats for business and economy on the A330 and not second hand one. Good but how long will it take?
ReplyDeleteShame that they will delay the new long haul product because having two different products on two different aircraft is a bad look in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteAnd imagine they take a third plane as announced, they would probably have 3 different products.
DeleteThe delay in the introduction of China flights would suggest that changing of the cabins could come earlier. instead they are delaying them?
DeleteWell they explained why it is being delayed. It's not like they are delaying it themselves.
Delete@9.23 it's better that they take a bit more time and make it right than install some subpar seats.
DeleteATR business class doesn't make any sense. Much wiser to invest in a decent loyalty/mile program.
ReplyDeleteFar more useful to business travelers.
They said they are making a new frequent flyer program.
DeleteAnonymous 09:07
DeleteHopefully it will be much different from what they have now.
And it would be very helpful if it was in some way linked to a global airline alliance program. *A, OW, SkyTeam.
I would go back to the business class seats they used to have on their A319s when EY came on board. Those are gold and people will pay for then on those 2hr + flights
ReplyDeleteThe issue was that people did not want to pay for them. That's why they got removed and why 99% of European airlines removed them
DeleteMust say it was beautiful, although I agree probably completely unprofitable
Deletehttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKTYgOKdv7MOZ3lCOx3maee524fhvPexUR0YNWKS9yODFD5Mx6ORz2BY73T1r4W8x45y1aHGAFsWb8MX9fX2QMKIII7WrWeLQG92Bi-AvTfwUDRYAGNGMvVUS6kO6jpPj3tSU1AqkcvVmuNl745aWS87v_0YAs--0c-G5VrjABKMPPgjVZMO2bc-bYQ/s800/Air-Serbia-Business-Class-Airbus-A319-PSTravel.jpg
@Anon 09:10
Delete+1000
@Anon 09:08
The New Wings of Europe concept with dedicated business class seats for short haul flights was a financial disaster.
The EY management is an example to avoid, not follow.
Do they still have proper business class seats on the former Vistara plane they leased out? Or have they since been changed. I know for a while it had proper business class seats.
Delete@09:21 Still do.
DeleteInteresting. When will they get rid of it?
DeleteWas flying last week on it. Pleseantly surprised to see it.
DeleteAnyone have any photos of these seats. Would be interesting to see.
DeleteNice to see they want to improve their product.
ReplyDeleteSo no new seats on YU-ARC for now :(
ReplyDeleteThe economy class seats on the YU-ARC are better than the ones on YU-ARB.
DeleteIndeed. They have better screens too.
DeleteWith them introducing more and more long haul routes they are going to have to become more competitive so need to offer a good product so people choose them over other airlines, especially on flights towards the east.
ReplyDeleteATR business class is a good idea, especially one like this that can be easily converted into economy seat.
ReplyDeleteHere is a very good and detailed article and report about JU's business class on the JFK route highlighting the major significant downgrades including powdered coffee:
ReplyDeletehttps://onemileatatime.com/insights/air-serbia-business-class/
I wonder if this guy wrote an article bout JU business class to JFK at the time it was much better or he was silent at that time and now decided to publish his article?
DeleteAnd important to say this article was written 7 months ago.
He did a review 6 years ago too
Deletehttps://onemileatatime.com/air-serbia-business-class-review/
That is not good at all.
DeleteEspecially during a period of record ticket prices.
The money saved do not cover in any way the loss of goodwill and brand loyalty by your more lucrative customers because of the downgraded service they now get.
Anonymous 09:25
DeleteSMFH.
So he has some secret agenda for publishing a factual article?
Is he a JU hater or something?
Again, SMFH.
Ask him.
DeleteAsk him what exactly? Why he made a factual report and why he dared compare his experience with the one he had 6 years ago?
DeleteI get avgeeks follow these guys, but opinion of miles wankers is completely irrelevant. If you gave them an airline to run they would plummet it to the ground within one season.
DeleteSo which part of his story is inaccurate?
DeleteIs it only me or the others have noticed (and felt) how uncomfortable and hard the seating parts of their seats on A319 and 320 are? I understand that they have to have lighter seats, but the seating area is covered with a thin layer of sponge and if you touch it you can easily feel the metal construction underneath.
ReplyDeleteTrue dat. They should have chosen a different manufacturer of seats.
DeleteGood move JU.
ReplyDeleteIf only there are proper businesses class seats on their A319&320 as they used to have. This “euro businesses “ class seats concept is not worth the price they’re asking for. The same goes for Atr. Not to mention the fact that businesses class lounges are not available for JU C class passengers from all the airports they’re flying from. I’m really happy that they have expanded their network but there’s a lot to be done regarding their services such as the availability of their customer service (just try calling their booking number). It’s usually not possible to change your ticket online so you have to call them either early in the morning or very late in the evening. Oh, and if you buy your ticket with another airline (code shared) you cannot check in online and select your seat.
ReplyDeleteProper business class on A319 and A320 was highly unprofitable which is why they got rid of them. It is also the reason why almost every single European airline got rid of them. You can't expect JU to be profitable and at the same time have a cabin that is going to be loss making in every aspect.
DeleteAlso, they had one of the lowest capacity A319s in Europe, making everything additionally unprofitable. The boutique concept was great for passengers but highly unprofitable, especially on a market such as Serbia.
DeleteHow many seats did their A319s have before the retrofit?
Delete124
DeleteHaving 124 seats in an A319 was absolutely crazy.
DeleteΤhe Νew Wings of Εurope concept with dedicated business class seats for short haul flights was a financial disaster.
DeleteThe ΕΥ type of management is an example to avoid, not follow.
The good news is that they are getting completely new cabins on the A330 and not some used seats. Bad news is it will probably come after summer season.
ReplyDeleteHope those ATR business class seats get produced. I like them.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many seats they would dedicate to business on the ATR.
ReplyDeleteI'm assuming 4 seats (2 rows)
DeleteMakes sense. And probably the last two rows.
DeleteAny idea if they will return wifi. At least on A330s?
ReplyDeleteDoubt it. The return on investment probably isn't great. That's why they discontinued wifi in the first place.
DeleteVery few airlines flying transatlantically currently do not offer wifi.
DeleteSo they definitely won't introduce premium economy on the A330?
ReplyDeleteNo
Deletenot sure if there is enough of a market for premium economy.
DeleteThere isn't.
DeleteHow come there is such a market for almost all other airlines flying transatlantically???
DeleteBecause Air Serbia's passengers are mostly from ex-Yu countries and Balkans who don't care much about premium economy. More likely it would stay empty while you would reduce economy class capacity.
DeleteAgree with comment above. It would not work from Balkans.
DeleteAlmost all other airlines flying TATL are much more established in the market and they can afford cabin modifications and investments into new seat types.
DeleteJU doesn't count just on Balkan passengers. But yes, premium economy doesn't look like a fit for this strategy.
DeletePremium economy would make sense if they had A330-300.
DeleteWho would need business class on the ATR72?
ReplyDeleteI think it has people in mind who are transferring onto Air Serbia's long haul flights which have proper business class. It allows them to sell tickets at a premium compared to what they do now.
DeleteIt's good to see Air Serbia thinking of ways to maximise profits
ReplyDeleteI have a bad feeling they will introduce 3-3-3 layout in economy on the A330.
ReplyDeleteWould not be surprised at all.
DeleteThat would be like on Air Transat.
DeleteThat would be very uncomfortable for a 9+ hour flight!
DeleteMarek mentioned it as a possibility last year.
DeleteThat would be a disaster .
DeleteAir Serbia hopefully knows they are screwed once airlines from North America start flying A321XLR to destinations in South East Europe. On thin lines without significant cargo potential XLR is A332 CASM killer. Even Air Transat, notorious for 9 abreast A330, realized A321LR is the future, XLR will have even more advantage pound for pound vs A330. Air Serbia has 2-3 years until XLR fleet numbers start growing.
Delete@Anonymous19:16
DeleteWhich lines are you referring to exactly? XLR can reach Belgrade only from North-East parts of US and lines from there are not really thin, so that doesn't sound like a potential threat.
On the other hand, almost all of China could be reached from Serbia (unlike western Europe), which sounds like a good opportunity.
Nice! Good luck Air Serbia
ReplyDeleteI hope they update the inflight entertainment too.
ReplyDeleteDesigning and getting a new seat for both business and economy is a huge investment. Hope they make the right selection with the passenger in mind.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteEconomy class seats on ARB look old especially the IFE, hopefully they'll change them into more modern ones.
ReplyDeleteYes, they are better on ARC.
DeleteDidn't Jat Airways have business class on the ATRs up until about 2009?
ReplyDeleteThey did. Last two rows but the seats were the same. The difference was you had a full meal. I remember flying with them in 2004 or 2005. It was an evening or late afternoon flight from Vienna and for some reason I was flying business on the ATR. The crew served a full meal on a tray to the business class passengers - main dish, salad and dessert :D
DeleteAre there some safety regulations that would prevent these ATR seats to rotate (at least when seatbelt sign is off) to get more leg space? I understand that this way they get to be wider, but if they just replace a regular seat row, leg room stays the same(?) which I found most problematic in economy
ReplyDeleteThat's very true.
DeleteBrilliant. I can't wait to see it in person. Flying long haul in business can be expensive but it would be worthwhile on the ATR
ReplyDeleteI just hope they won't have 3-3-3 configuration in A330s.
ReplyDeleteMarek said: getting new seats that are available on the market, raises the issue of compatibility with the IFE which is currently on board”
ReplyDeleteIFE currently onboard both ARB and ARC is obsolete and should be gutted, not kept for compatibility reasons. If they are investing in D check they should also invest in latest IFE with HD, USB-C ports and Bluetooth connectivity. Expecting that kind of forward thinking might be too much from an airline that avoids launching one of top long haul destinations.
+1 they definitely need to upgrade their IFE, one of the reasons why I fly TK and AF transatlantic
DeleteToronto or Lagos?
DeleteBut that joke aside, we still don't know if they plan to change the IFE system or not. They just might plan to get a new one. He did say:
-"When you identify the seats, you start to have problems with IFE [in-flight entertainment] providers and many other things."
That probably means they are upgrading it as well, but we can only guess for now.
MIA/JFK/ORD lately also IAH depending on what suits best for my Caribbean connection.
DeleteFair point, I do hope they will make it happen, fingers crossed.
Love that de-icing photo!
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteCan you know when the older ATRs is set to be phased out by JU? I am going to fly to Zadar and I don't really want to hop on a 30 years old ATR rather I would choose the 600 series :) Thanks
ReplyDeleteYU-ALU is phased out and is being prepared to be returned to the lessor. YU-ALP is used as a backup when some of the -600s breaks. So, it is unlikely that You will fly with YU-ALP. Furthermore, YU-ALP is backup plane right now, but in the summer it might already be retired. By the summer, JU will have 8 -600s, so I believe there won't be situations where YU-ALP would be needed.
DeleteThanks a lot. I have never flown with turboprops. Are they reliable?
Delete