Air Serbia is exploring options to upgrade the onboard product across its fleet of wide-body aircraft, as it prepares to take delivery of its fourth Airbus A330-200 jet. Speaking to “AeroTime”, Air Serbia’s CEO, Jiri Marek, acknowledged that the airline’s business class hard product is somewhat outdated, featuring three different cabin layouts across its four aircraft. The airline had previously announced plans to standardise its cabins to match the configuration found on the latest two additions to its wide-body fleet (pictured), which were formerly operated by Etihad Airways. These aircraft feature a 1-2-1 business class layout. However, Mr Marek did not rule out the possibility of further modifications to the cabin design and configuration in the future. “We are still evaluating the best solution in terms of timing and cost”, the CEO said. According to Air Serbia, the majority of passengers flying business class on its wide-body A330s are high-end leisure travellers rather than corporate clients.
After testing onboard entertainment streaming on select short-haul aircraft, the airline is now leaning towards introducing the system on its wide-body fleet to complement the existing seatback in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems - supplied by Panasonic, and by Thales on one of the aircraft. “We are definitely looking to implement it in the A330s as a kind of backup version in case there is some problem with the IFE system. Actually, with this system you have more choices than in the classical one. So, for the A330s we are definitely looking at it and most likely we will go ahead”, Mr Marek said. As for the short-haul fleet, the airline has yet to decide whether a similar system will be installed.
Mr Marek once again ruled out the possibility of reintroducing Wi-Fi connectivity on Air Serbia’s twin-aisle fleet in the near future. The airline previously offered the service between 2016 and 2020, but according to the CEO, passenger uptake was below 3%. Mr Marek explained that the low usage did not justify the cost, adding that in-flight internet is not a decisive factor for most customers when selecting flights. Meanwhile, the airline is also focused on enhancing its catering services. The CEO admitted he is not entirely satisfied with the sole catering supplier currently operating at Belgrade Airport and indicated that improvements are being considered.
Marek always speaks about his grand plans but they never happen.
ReplyDeleteAlot that Marek has spoken about has happened to be fair. However, not everything has been done or implemented in the best possible manner. But that too has been the case with JU for the past 2 decades.
DeletePeople who fly premium definitely want proper IFE, WiFi and especially to frequent flyer program. Preferably one that cooperates with other airlines FF programs.
DeleteI can't find another explanation why people who fly JU (according to Marek) have so much lower expectations than premium travelers on all other airlines in Europe except that ASL can not afford to provide these things.
But at the same time their ticket prices are anything but cheap.
Agree compeltely. But JU seems to think people who fly premium just want priority check in and that's about it (and that the passengers shoild be grateful even for that)
DeleteAnon 10:02
DeleteThat is exactly how I feel too.
Maybe they do not to make a serious investment in upgrading and standardizing their long haul cabins because their planes are leased and it's not worth the level of investment when in a few years the contracts expire.
They should have a far more forward thinking strategy regarding their fleet instead of trying to find the cheapest A332s on the market.
THe real issue here is return on investment, they see the need to put up alot to upgrade with the return not matcing that investmen, hence the current situation
DeleteThen how come all those other airlines see a point in investing in their leased aircraft?
Delete@Anonymous 11:57
DeleteThat's my question too.
How come the premium pax of all other airlines need FF miles, better catering, WiFi, good and especially functioning IFE, way better seats but only JU's premium pax do not?
Because that's what JU relies on. Premium pax who in reality are not that, they are the lower tier of the kind. Real ones fly on more professionally run airlines.
DeleteIt will be also interesting to see how any of the upgrades for the product will happen. Since JU doesn't have their own MRO facility. Could end up 1 or 2 years before it's done.
DeleteOr if they will happen, so far Marek failed in refurbishings of the cabin.
DeleteThey would have had higher uptake of Wifi had they tried to actually promote it anywhere. They also could have sold Wifi online as part of added service when buying a ticket like they sell lounge access. Also I find Air Serbia's social media pages to be really poor. They do nothing to promote any onboard service. Just doing something as simple as promoting amentiy kits, PJs, the nannys that they have on long haul or Chinese speaking crew would raise their profile. Do something like a day in a life of a cabin crew member... Other airlines certainly do it. If the airline can't do it themselves hire an agency to do it for you. In the age of a digital world their social media has been reduced to promoting sporting achievements accompanied by the tunes of Beogradski Sindikat and Danica Crnogorcevic. That's all very well and nice but you are an airline first and foremost and you have an international audiance. Have they thought of making Weibo page for Chinese passengers? Ask your marketing people to get a look at what other airlines are doing if they lack any inspiration or knowledge
ReplyDelete+100
DeleteThe wifi packages JU offered were really overpriced so it doesn't surprise me that usage was extremely low. I think their prices was the factor to low usage rather than the lack of demand. Onboard wifi streaming is becoming cheaper, faster and better, but I don't see JU reintroducing it before modernising their fleet.
DeleteAs for social media, you are spot on. Alot more can be done. The English translations are full of grammatical mistakes.
True the English is really bad. They could use chatgpt if they don't know it themselves but I really wonder what are the qualifications for that job.
Delete^Knowing the right people.
DeleteThey do have an agency on top of in house stuff. But the agency rarely does anything. Air Serbia just has to hire and pay them because it is owned by Goran Veselinovic. Now guess who is his kum - Aleksandar Vucic!
Delete@09:55 +1000
Delete@9.04 this so true!
DeleteThey did an ad for their 10th anniversary. It was filmed on the A330, there were actors acting as passengers, an actual cabin crew member and at no point did the social media people thought it was a great opportunity to get some professional photos they could use for promotional purposes. At same anniversary they had a fashion show with old JAT uniforms. They actually dug up old JAT uniforms and at no point thought to do something fun with it on social media, to show the transition of uniforms over time or do a teaser to get people to guess which decade its from to boost their engagement and make their posts appear in people's feeds.
^ It's called lack of creativity, ideas or even caring about the company you work for. Even when they took photos of YU-ARD and posted it on Instagram it's mostly photos of Sinisa Mali speaking in front of the plane. I guess that's what's most important to them. Then again people that are supposed to be thinking up these ideas probably got their job there thanks to Sinisa Mali or Suzy Vasiljevic so no surprise.
DeleteSuzy and others are in charge because everyone who is good left JU. Now they need to find cheap solutions via SNS from what I hear.
DeleteStarlink is superior option for aviation connectivity and will be not be disrupted by some newer, better solution for a long time. Problem is, Starlink is not yet available in Serbia and some other parts of the globe Air Serbia is flying over. Two of Air Serbia's latest A330s YU-ARD and YU-ARE come with legacy aft satellite hump but Starlink uses flat top antenna. When things line up and pricing comes down Air Serbia should go for Starlink.
Delete^^^
DeleteSo 2025 is still too early to have WiFi onboard. 😆
Wi-Fly was such a failure that they quickly abandoned it! It is now Why Fly with us.
DeleteI flew on Aegean ATH-BEG yesterday and honestly they have considerably improved their onboard product. In my opinion they are even better than TK.
ReplyDeleteJU should really focus on its product as they are not doing enough.
NEMJEE , I'm Greek and fly 2 times a year ATH-IST-ATH . I like Aegean but I don't think that their product has become better than TK . I was lucky enough to fly with their a350 and the experience was awsome ! And an info about Aegean fleet , yesterday they took delivery another a321 neo.
DeleteI am talking about short-haul flying. I personally find them better than TK, especially the crew. I think A3 has some of the friendliest crew out there.
DeleteI flew LCA-ATH on the A321neo yesterday and it was superb. They also upgraded their inflight portal which is great now. TK isn't bad I just think they are not as good as they think they are. My personal opinion is that they have horrible crew. Very few of them actually spoke good English and they were mostly rude.
Fully agree about TK crew.
DeleteTalking of neo fleet, I saw 4 of them parked at ATH, it seemed like long-term storage including SX-NEO which I think was the first A320neo they received.
DeleteA3 went for the Pratt engines and a lot of their earlier NEO frames are grownded.
DeleteNEMJEE , I'm not talking about long haul flights . I flew with their a350 on ATH-IST-ATH flight in summer .
Delete* And Aegean has grounded until now 5 a320neo and 4 a321neo due to engine inspections.
Ok, I understand but if we compared their narrowbody planes then A3 is not at such a disadvantage.
DeleteAt least they acknowledge they have a subpar premium product
ReplyDeleteThat's an understatement considering how inconsistent their J product is.
DeleteThey would have more corporate high paying passengers if they focused on all the things they have been saying for years they will improve.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely but corporate passengers are not something they care about. Their actions are best proof of that.
DeleteTheir actions shows that they care. JU is much better then most western airlines . I can guarantee that as I fly 2x monthly with a few different airlines (based on their departure time). We have to remember that JU was under sanctions for many years while other western operating companies were generating huge profits and expending their fleet & products. JU is doing amazing as they are not from some super rich country where everything is cater to them. Serbia is not a major tourist destination, therefore we have to admit how well that airline is doing in such a challenging times. Their product on short 1-3 our flight is great, and not bad on long hall flight as well. I flew LH bunch of times in the last 3 years and JU is definitely better. LOT is total disappointment, I try to avoid them as much as possible.
DeleteEthiopian Airlines invalidates your entire argument.
DeleteAs for JU, none of their actions show that they care about corporate passengers. Their constant network cuts as well as their non-existent corporate and loyalty programs only go to show that they don't know what corporate travelers need/want.
I am a regular on Lufthansa. Their service is mediocre at the best but they are reliable, Partner Plus Benefit is fine and you can do all you wish online. Did you know LH tolerates up to 4 spelling mistakes in your name while JU charges €50 PER LETTER if you wish to make a change?
Another major difference is that LH has people at their office here in Belgrade plus they have a special corporate call center. You would know all this if you were a regular corporate traveller.
9:45
DeleteOn the spot.
There is no comment at 09.45?
DeleteAnother major difference is that LH has people at their office here in Belgrade plus they have a special corporate call center.
DeleteJU has people at their office here in Belgrade plus they have a special call center in Nis.
Yes, a general call center. Lufthansa has a special call center for Partner Plus Benefit clients. So they have two different kind of people ready to assist you if there is a need.
DeleteThe cabin in the picture actually looks good.
ReplyDeleteyes, it does. Though, devil is the details.
DeleteCatering reminds me of Lufthansa, if their screens are also not touchscreens and you have to use a horrible remote, then it is 1 to 1 like Lufthansa
Only difference being that Lufthansa is rolling out Allegris which is state of the art.
DeleteThey want streaming on A330 because so many of the TVs onboard don't work. They know it but have no issue selling tickets to passengers. They can't be bothered to fix it.
ReplyDeleteThey tried the streaming app on one of the A320 but the project failed. They just can't do anything right these days.
DeleteThat must ne the reason why their planes are so "empty" Anonymous09:13. You have no idea what you are saying as you probably never board their aircraft . On long flights every airline has issue with around 2% of the TV screens. That is normal and usually after hard reset it goes down to a couple of inop screens . People in here are just jealous and negative.
DeleteThe issue is it's not just 2% of screens. Ask the cabin crew if you don't believe me.
DeleteThe issue is it's not just 2% of screens. Ask the cabin crew if you don't believe me.
Delete@09:49 he knows all that already. But he has to defend management.
DeleteJU management likes to be praised, especially the CEO. That is why they are all surrounded by yes men.
DeleteIs it just me or do they have the flickering fake candle next to the meal on the photo like Turkish Airlines 😀
ReplyDeleteNoticed that too.
DeleteWhy don't they preassure the government to do something about catering by bringing a cetring provider.
ReplyDeleteBecause the catering company at BEG is owned by a criminal with close ties to the government.
DeleteIsn't it owned 50-50 by Saudi and Emirati company?
DeleteOn my last JU flight the sandwiches were provided by a company from Zemun, not by the catering at the airport.
DeleteJat Airways in its final year had better onboard service in many respects than Air Serbia today. Only thing that is better is cabin crew.
ReplyDeleteFor starters drinks were complimentary in economy. I also loved their chocolate plumb that they served everyone in a really cute box.
DeleteMost European carriers don't offer free drinks in economy anymore since the pandemic. only water. and that was the first thing to remove - wrong way to cut costs imo, but it is not just JU in this case
DeleteThey might want to rethink their free onboard sandwiches. Flew BCN-BEG the other day. Sandwich was packaged 5 days earlier according to declaration on packet. It stank when I opened it and was completely wet because the smart people at catering put tomatos inside which you can only imagine looked like after 5 days. Bring back chips.
ReplyDeleteThey shohld just serve everyone an orasnica. Those are great.
Delete*should
DeleteHaha mine was 4 days old.
DeletePupin needs to be upgraded ASAP, others are ok for 2-3 years minimum
ReplyDeleteThey told you 17x already thst plane is going to be refurbished shortly so stop being annoying with same post every single week.
Delete^ if you read the article, it does not seem that they are no longer sure what they are going to do..
DeleteUnfortunately this seems to be the norm with almost every aspect of their business, not just with the cabin refurbishment. They need to start focusing on fixing what they can, start small and eventually move to bigger issues.
Delete"We don´t offer internet, and IFE and catering suck, but that is not why people would fly premium class. Aw, and our hard product is also somewhat outdated"
ReplyDeleteSMFH that a few days before 2025 our airline's top management thinks like that...
DeleteIt is absolutery necessary to upgrade the C class long haul product. US carriers have upgraded their product, LH OS LX will do soon or LH is partly already out.
ReplyDeleteTK has a good product. So if JU wants to pick up international business to PVG CAN JFK ORD, they need to adapt to competition level.
I can't think of a single European longhaul flag carrier that has worse onboard product and cabins than JU!
DeleteMaybe HiFly or whatever that Romanian airline is called.
DeleteTAROM stopped flying long-haul. HiFly is just a charter airline.
Delete@ 10.10
DeleteI don't know a European carrier which offers 1-2-1 seating in business class on A330s. It is extremely rare.
I meant HiSky, sorry.
Delete@11:09 Try Air Italy, TAP, Iberia, SAS, etc etc
DeleteAer Lingus and SN Brussels as well.
DeleteLH and LX as well. Actually 1-2-1 is pretty standard on A330.
DeleteWhat is horrible is 2-2-2 like some old confugurations of TK and LH
For the ticket prices JU has for its business class you would expect a much higher level of service than it offers currently.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteAlso don't forget that on the Embraer they do not block the seat next to you.
DeleteAt least YU-ARB which has been under maintenance for a while is coming back today.
ReplyDeletePupin is in dire need of a major cabin upgrade.
DeleteYU-ARB Pupin is back in Belgrade.
Deletesorry, YU-ARB Tesla
DeleteJust look at the cabin on South Africa Airways' A330s. This is in an airline that went bankrupt just a few years ago. This A330 isn't brand new but it has a brand new cabin and looks great. On the other hand Air Serbia with record profit is operating SAA hand me down in the form of Pupin.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zaoi57fqFM
It does look great. Catering looks good too.
Delete4 A330s of which 3 have different cabin layouts and look. Really poor form Air Serbia.
ReplyDeleteMarek doesn't think that's an issue, if he did he would have done something about it. He always speaks and speaks but rarely acts.
DeleteHe might think that it is problematic but he can't admit it cause then JU would have to make serious investments to its product.
DeleteAnd those cost millions of Euros.
just my2cents
It's like musical chairs. Same with short haul where you don't know if you are flying with Bulgarians, Latvians, Wizz Air configured plane...
DeleteThe mug in the photo is bigger than the meal size.
ReplyDeleteTrue dat! 😅
DeleteIt's the same with their salt and pepper shakers. They are as tall as the mug on the photo. Completely disproportional. If you are serving small meals put small salt and pepper shakers so it makes the meal actually look larger.
DeleteIt's breakfast @13.14. Don't know about you, but for me, coffee in the morning and for breakfast is the most important and this huge mug is huge plus in my case, no not other way round
DeleteYou are looking at the mug while I am focused on that massive shovel they put where the spoon is supposed to go. lol
DeleteOmg the spoon is hilarious 😂😂😂
DeleteOnce upon a time at JU they used to have a person that was in charge of passenger experience. I don't know if they do anymore but if they do they are doing a very lousy job.
ReplyDeleteNope, that person quit and they couldn't find a decent replacement.
DeleteMr Marek did not rule out the possibility of further modifications to the cabin design and configuration in the future. “We are still evaluating the best solution in terms of timing and cost”
ReplyDeleteNot going to happen. Evaluating in Air Serbia lingo means We are not going ahead with that. Example: We are still evaluating Toronto.
Didn't also evaluate those new seats for A319/320 fleet? It's been a while and nothing came out of it. I think he hopes people will just forget what he says but the internet remembers, internet does not forget what Marek promises to us.
DeleteThey also evaluated business class seats for ATR. Evaluated = not doing it.
DeleteFor the beginning, they should send their crew to learn English language, aside from providing standard repetitive information. On today’s flught to TGD which was delayed for more than 3 hours due to mechanical problems, both pilot and the steward were unable to communicate what’s happening to foreign passengers as they only provided information in Sebian. As there was a strong smell of fuel on board, they were people even panicking, as they couldn’t understand pilots communication about the source of smell. Their quality deteriorated to a degree where the state of their business class product on four flights per week on a widebody is more than irrelevant.
ReplyDeletePilot does not speak English?
DeleteYou really have to try harder.
@ Anon 19:47 da si ti ziv i zdrav :)
DeleteIt is well known that pilots internationally communicate in Mandarin.
DeleteWhat about first fixing narrow body fleet? I.e. getting rid of wet-leased AirBulgaria equipment that is falling apart. Then talk about wide body, IFE, WiFi, premium this or that. Their seats are disintegrating, that's all about "premium" in AirSprdija.
DeleteIf it was up to me, I would start by removing those horrible pre-recorded announcements. I don't understand why the crew does not make the announcements. They play the recording after you land and once the seatbelt sign is turned on. Sounds so horrible.
DeleteSo the whole flight experience has come down to how good the effing IFE is?
ReplyDeleteMaybe, how about offering amazing food, exotic drinks, and flight crew that get genuinely engaged with their passengers!
I have travelled a fair bit with Qatar and Emirates, but everytime whilst the crew are ok they are on the whole distant, semi cold, too formal and its just a gig for them. But when I get on to a Qantas flight, I feel at home. The crew really engage, and its a relaxing experience.
Maybe in flight bingo or art auction?