Air Serbia is one of the fastest growing airlines in Europe and one of the largest airlines in the Balkans and in this Air Serbia review, we’ll teach you everything there is to know about flying with Air Serbia and review all apsects of using their services in detail. Let’s start from the beginning…
What Is Air Serbia?
Air Serbia is the national airline of Serbia and one of the most important airlines in the Balkans. It is primarily based at Nikola Tesla Airport in Belgrade, which links Serbia to destinations all over Europe, the Middle East, North America and Asia. Air Serbia currently flies 30 aircraft and has over 100 destinations.
The history of Air Serbia dates back to 1927 when Aeroput, one of the first airlines in the region, was founded. But the most familiar airline from the more recent past is JAT Airways.
JAT was the national airline of Yugoslavia and, during its heyday, had an impressive international network. The dissolution of Yugoslavia and the wars and sanctions of the 1990s had a devastating impact on the airline. JAT Airways continued to fly and were struggling for years financially.
The key milestone was in 2013 when the Serbian government signed a strategic partnership with Etihad Airways, which bought a 49% stake. Jat Airways was then renamed Air Serbia.
Although many travellers have the impression that Air Serbia is still owned by Etihad, it is not.
Over the years, the Serbian government took over more and more shares in Air Serbia and in 2023 it became the sole owner of the company.
What are the destinations of Air Serbia?
Air Serbia has grown considerably since the JAT days. It transported over 2 million passengers and flew over 23,000 flights in the first half of 2026 alone.
It operates 30 aircraft and has 100+ destinations, which makes it a relatively small airline by European standards but a surprisingly large regional airline.
Air Serbia’s network is mainly European and Balkan, but now much more. Belgrade is served by direct flights to destinations all over Europe and the Mediterranean, North America and China.
Europe is by far the airline’s biggest market. It has connections to the main cities of London, Paris, Amsterdam, Madrid, Rome, Milan, Vienna, Zurich, Prague, Berlin, Copenhagen and Lisbon, as well as many holiday resorts in the Mediterranean.
Air Serbia’s greatest strength is in the Balkans.
Belgrade is linked to many cities in the region, such as Skopje, Sarajevo, Podgorica, Tirana, Sofia, Ljubljana, Zagreb, Tivat, Ohrid, Dubrovnik, Split, Pula, Zadar and others.
Air Serbia also serves destinations in the east, like Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Tbilisi.
In 2016 it started direct flights to New York, and in 2023 to Chicago. In 2026, Toronto was its third North American destination, with twice-weekly flights on Airbus A330-200 aircraft.
The airline also has a presence in China, with direct flights from Belgrade to Guangzhou and Shanghai. Shanghai service started in January 2025, and Guangzhou was added in 2024.
In 2026 the airline launched or announced flights to Santorini, Baku, Toronto, Alicante, Brač, Seville, Tenerife, Tromsø, Nizhny Novgorod and Munich. Some are seasonal, others are year round.
Why is Belgrade a Useful Connecting Hub?
This is arguably Air Serbia’s biggest strength. Belgrade is not one of the biggest airports in Europe, but that’s what makes it great. Air Serbia can offer relatively simple connections between smaller cities in the Balkans and destinations further west or abroad.
Its timetable is becoming more and more geared towards these links, connecting cities in the Balkans with Western Europe, the Mediterranean, North America and Asia.
Although Air Serbia may not be the most convenient choice on all routes, it’s an airline to consider when flying to or from the Balkans. The combination of its regional network and growing long-haul operation means that the cheapest or most convenient itinerary isn’t always the one you’d expect.
When Air Serbia Tickets Tend to Be Cheapest?
Fares for Air Serbia flights can differ significantly depending on the route, season and booking time. There is no one rule that will always get you the lowest price, but flexibility will help. If you can, check out a few different dates instead of automatically booking the date that is most convenient for Friday or Sunday.
I also suggest that you do not just look at the lowest advertised fare, but the total cost. Once you factor in checked luggage, seat selection and other extras, a €50 ticket can cost a lot more.
Air Serbia Review: Fare Types Explained
Air Serbia offers multiple types of fares and knowing the difference is crucial as the lowest fare is not always the best value.
The primary economy choices for European and Middle Eastern flights are Economy Light, Economy Standard and Economy Comfort, with Business Class coming after. The inclusions are different depending on the route but the basic idea is that the higher the cost the more flexibility and more included services.
Economy Light is a traveler’s option for those who are packing light. You get a personal item and cabin baggage, but checked baggage isn’t included. There are also limited changes and refunds, so this fare is best for those who are unlikely to change their plans.
In my opinion, the one that is worth comparing the most is Economy Standard. It offers one checked bag of up to 23kg on eligible routes, and provides greater flexibility than Light.
Economy Comfort offers greater flexibility and extra benefits, making it more attractive for longer journeys or those who don’t wish to pay for each additional.
There’s also Business All Inclusive, which offers benefits like priority services, lounge access and a bigger baggage allowance. Business fares are valid for 2 checked bags (up to 32kg) on applicable routes.
The European fare rules do not necessarily apply to long-haul flights, so do not assume that the same rules apply when travelling to New York, Chicago, Toronto or China.
Which Air Serbia Fare Is Best Value?
For me, the answer depends almost entirely on how you travel.
If you’re going away for a few days and can fit everything into your cabin baggage, Economy Light can be excellent value. If you’re checking a suitcase, however, compare Light plus the baggage fee against Economy Standard before paying.
This is one of those situations where the cheapest headline fare isn’t necessarily the cheapest ticket.
Air Serbia Review: Baggage Allowance
Air Serbia allows passengers to bring a small personal item in addition to their cabin baggage. The personal item can weigh up to 4kg and must fit underneath the seat in front of you.
The amount of checked baggage depends on your fare and route. On applicable European fares, Economy Standard and Comfort include one checked bag of up to 23kg, while Business fares can include two bags of up to 32kg each.
My biggest tip: check your baggage allowance before booking rather than assuming every Air Serbia economy ticket includes a suitcase. If you’re traveling with checked luggage, this can make a significant difference to which fare offers the best value.
My Air Serbia Review: The Flight Experience
Overall, my experience with Air Serbia has been that of a good old fashioned European airline, not a budget airline, although this can differ depending on the aircraft, route and fare.
The airport procedure at Belgrade is fairly simple and online check-in is available 48 hours before the flight. It closes one hour before the takeoff, but some routes have other requirements.
Boarding was arranged and the cabin was clean and tidy. The type of aircraft can significantly impact the experience, especially in terms of legroom and spaciousness.
One of the better aspects of the experience was the cabin crew. Service was friendly and professional, but not overly formal.
In reality, Air Serbia’s smaller network may be a benefit on the ground, as you’re not flying from one large European hub to another on every trip. Delays and operational problems can of course occur with any airline, so I wouldn’t pick Air Serbia just because I knew that all flights would be on time.
The most surprising thing was the transformation of the airline from being just Serbia’s national carrier. Air Serbia is becoming a true regional hub airline with its growing European network and long-haul operations.
I was most disappointed that I had to pay close attention to the fare conditions. The lowest fare may seem like a great deal up front, but as you begin to add extras such as baggage, seat selection or flexibility, the difference in fares can become much less significant. That’s why I would always check the full package before booking, rather than just the Air Serbia ticket.
Air Serbia Premium Lounge at Belgrade Airport
For those who are flying through Belgrade, Air Serbia’s Premium Lounge can make the connection much more comfortable.
The lounge is located in the transit area of Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, between gates A4 and A5. It provides comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, food and drinks, work-friendly spaces and showers, making it convenient for short or extended layovers before your next flight. (airserbia.com)
The lounge is available to Business Class passengers and other eligible passengers may also be able to access the lounge, depending on their ticket, status or lounge-access arrangement. There may also be paid access available, depending on the conditions.
The food is not as extensive as a huge international airport lounge buffet, but there is enough for a snack or light meal, and a choice of beverages. The seats are comfortable and the Wi-Fi allows you to get some work done or just relax away from the more crowded terminal.
The showers are especially helpful when you are on a long connection or coming from a long haul flight.
Would I pay specifically for lounge access? If I had a long layover, I would probably. Definitely not for a 45 minute connection. The value is largely determined by the amount of time you spend there.
Air Serbia Delays, Cancellations & Customer Service
There are no airlines that fly thousands of flights without delays and cancellations, and Air Serbia is not an exception. The important thing is what happens when something goes wrong.
In case of delay or cancellation of your flight from Air Serbia, the airline will provide you with alternative solutions or rebooking, depending on the situation and the applicable passenger rights regulations. For significant disruptions, it’s important to check your email, Air Serbia’s website and the information provided at the airport rather than relying solely on what you see in a third-party booking app.
Missed connections can be particularly frustrating when you’re traveling through Belgrade. The situation is quite different if the whole trip is made on one Air Serbia ticket and a delay makes you miss the connection than if you booked two separate tickets. This is always important to remember when planning complex trips.
This is also true of bags. If your checked bag doesn’t arrive, report it at the airport before leaving the baggage area and keep your baggage documentation and receipts.
The customer service of Air Serbia has been mixed, but reasonable. There are some simple questions that can be answered in a matter of moments, and then there are more complex issues like refunds, schedule changes or disrupted itineraries that require a lot more patience.
I would not say that Air Serbia has improved or worsened customer service compared to all other European airlines, but it is certainly not the worst. The key is to be aware of your rights and to retain your booking reference, your boarding passes and receipts in case of any problems.
Air Serbia Loyalty Program — Elevate
If you are a frequent flyer with Air Serbia, then you should consider joining their Elevate loyalty program.
The program offers members the opportunity to earn and redeem miles, and frequent flyers can climb the ranks to Silver and Gold status. The higher the status, the more benefits, such as access to lounges, priority services and other travel benefits.
A helpful feature for frequent flyers is free standard seat selection for qualifying members, and more for those who are higher level members.
Should I join Elevate? If you only fly Air Serbia once every few years, probably not a major consideration. However, if you are a regular business or leisure traveler to Serbia or the Balkans, there is not much reason not to sign up for Air Serbia.
So, based on the fares, baggage policies, onboard experience, lounge, network and customer service, would I recommend Air Serbia?
Yes, but there are some conditions.
Air Serbia is especially good for those traveling in the Balkans. Its hub in Belgrade offers easy access to destinations that may otherwise involve a long-haul flight through much larger airports, and its expanding long-haul network is becoming more relevant for flights to North America and China.
The greatest benefit is the network and convenience. The worst thing is that you have to be careful about what you are paying for.
My main cons are the lack of a network in other parts of the world, the fact that the destinations are still increasing, the fact that Belgrade is a convenient hub, the fact that fares on many routes are still competitive and the fact that the onboard service is still pleasant. The main cons are the sometimes confusing fare differences, additional costs on the cheapest tickets and the fact that the experience can vary depending on the aircraft and route
My Air Serbia Rating
| Category | Rating |
| Route network | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Value for money | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Cabin experience | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Cabin crew | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ |
| Food & drinks | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Baggage | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer service | ⭐⭐⭐½ |
| Lounge | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Overall | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Overall, Air Serbia is an airline I’d happily fly again, particularly when the schedule and price make sense. I wouldn’t blindly choose it over every competitor, but I also wouldn’t hesitate to book it simply because it’s a smaller national carrier and if you plan to use it for your bookings, you can use this link to get up to 15% off on all of your flights with Air Serbia.