Air Serbia has been growing considerably in recent years, including expanding its long haul capacity. In light of that, the airline will be improving its premium ground experience in Belgrade, with the opening of a new lounge.
The question is, when will it actually open? The concept was first announced in late May 2024, with a planned opening by the end of 2024. However, the lounge still isn’t open, so I want to take an updated look in this post. Maybe I care more than the average person, as I’ve been considering a return to Belgrade, with a stay at the new St. Regis Belgrade, and I’d love to check out the new lounge as well.
In this post:
New Air Serbia Lounge Belgrade opening eventually
Air Serbia plans to open a new lounge at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG). The lounge will be 630 square meters (~6,780 square feet), will have the capacity for up to 160 guests, and will be located near gate C10.
Exact details about the lounge amenities remain limited, though Air Serbia claims that the new lounge will feature views of the runway, and that it will be divided into two zones, described as “service and relaxation.” The lounge will also be “dominated by fluid forms inspired by flight paths, as well as the recognizable colours and symbols of Air Serbia.”
Here’s how Boško Rupić, Air Serbia’s General Manager Commercial and Strategy, describes this development:
“The opening of the new Premium Lounge is part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing passenger experience and providing top-notch comfort and service. The new, exclusive space will be designed to offer maximum comfort. Lounge guests will be able to enjoy a sophisticated ambience and a rich selection of food and beverages, including freshly prepared local and international specialities, while our professional and courteous team, as always, will be available to passengers to provide personalized service and meet all their needs and requests.”
The question is, when will the lounge open? The plan was for it to welcome its first guests before the end of 2024. I’ve reached out to Air Serbia multiple times for clarification, but haven’t heard back. That being said, EX-YU Aviation recently had an interview with Air Serbia’s CEO, and asked about this lounge.
The status update isn’t terribly positive. As it turns out, construction on the new lounge hasn’t even started. Air Serbia is ready to proceed with the project, but the issue is that the airline is still waiting on the airport to secure the necessary permits, which is a problem reportedly impacting a lot of construction in the terminal.
The lounge design has been established, and once the green light is given in the form of the permit, construction will begin. The expectation is that the build will take around three months. So I suspect at this point, the lounge will likely open in very late 2025, at the earliest. But I also wouldn’t be surprised if it slips further.
This will replace Air Serbia’s existing lounge
Once Air Serbia’s new lounge opens, it will replace the carrier’s existing lounge at the airport, which is only around half the size. The current lounge opened in 2015, and is the only airline-operated lounge at the airport.
I’ve reviewed the current Air Serbia Lounge in Belgrade. Physically it’s a reasonably nice lounge. However:
- It has no natural light or windows
- While the soft product was good back when Etihad had a stake in Air Serbia, unfortunately the lounge quality has deteriorated over the years
- With how much Air Serbia has grown, the lounge simply wasn’t large enough, given its small size
- Interestingly the lounge used to be open to Priority Pass members, but no longer is, given how Air Serbia has increased operations; I’m curious if the new, larger lounge participates in Priority Pass
Bottom line
Air Serbia is opening a new lounge at Belgrade Airport. The lounge will be around twice the size of the current lounge, and will feature runway views and a more modern design. I’m happy to see Air Serbia improving its premium ground experience in Belgrade, especially with how much the carrier is expanding its long haul operations. Here’s to hoping that the soft product is improved as well.
The only catch is the timeline. While the lounge was supposed to open by the end of 2024, construction hasn’t even started, due to lack of permits. Once construction can start, the project is expected to take around three months.
What do you make of the Air Serbia’s plans for a new lounge at Belgrade Airport?
The passport control worked when I arrived BEG last week, and now works for departing. It's very efficient. A reader scans your passport, a gate opens, they take a picture and I assume do facial recognition. Keep your passport out, because (at least for now) an agent still stamps your passport.
I hope that they modernize the existing Priority Pass / business lounge. That could really use some TLC. Maybe they're turn the existing...
The passport control worked when I arrived BEG last week, and now works for departing. It's very efficient. A reader scans your passport, a gate opens, they take a picture and I assume do facial recognition. Keep your passport out, because (at least for now) an agent still stamps your passport.
I hope that they modernize the existing Priority Pass / business lounge. That could really use some TLC. Maybe they're turn the existing AirSERBIA lounge into the new business club?
"I’m curious if the new, larger lounge participates in Priority Pass"
It will not :) Also, the next time you're at BEG, you'll be able to use the brand new eGates, as their usage has been extended to citizens of 21 countries, including most EU members, the UK and the US.
Flew out of BEG in early May (and stayed at the St. Regis) and the construction on the new terminal in general was very present. I took a photo and laughed at a "coming 2024" sign that was still up. Checked out the Priority Pass lounge there too - it was so depressing that we left after 5 minutes. Seems like it's going to take a while and someone I spoke to said they expect...
Flew out of BEG in early May (and stayed at the St. Regis) and the construction on the new terminal in general was very present. I took a photo and laughed at a "coming 2024" sign that was still up. Checked out the Priority Pass lounge there too - it was so depressing that we left after 5 minutes. Seems like it's going to take a while and someone I spoke to said they expect 2026 to be fully up and running. Belgrade is a phenomenal city and Air Serbia usually has great fares, so it will be nice when it is done and they can start expanding.
@ pstm91 -- Thanks for the update! What did you think of the St. Regis, btw?
I had a very nice stay there. Not a lot of character to the hotel (could be anywhere), but very comfortable and nice rooms with good views. If you're spending real time on Belgrade, it's not very convenient (about a 20-minute walk down the river path to downtown). It's a new development area with lots of shopping, restaurants, and condos. We joked that we were in "Hudson Yards" of Belgrade. Definitely the best hotel in...
I had a very nice stay there. Not a lot of character to the hotel (could be anywhere), but very comfortable and nice rooms with good views. If you're spending real time on Belgrade, it's not very convenient (about a 20-minute walk down the river path to downtown). It's a new development area with lots of shopping, restaurants, and condos. We joked that we were in "Hudson Yards" of Belgrade. Definitely the best hotel in the city (there's a nice option in the center but it needs a refurb). A Ritz Carlton will be in a similar development on the other side of the city, on the Danube, in a few years.
They should consider joining Skyteam- they already have codeshares etc with AFKL (and UX), and RO are too small to adequately cover the region.
Jane shut the hell up. I'm in Belgrade right the hell now and I will use the existing lounge tomorrow. I used it Friday. I'm excited to see that they plan on building a new lounge.
I have been coming to Belgrade for years and every single time I have been at the airport they have been improving it.
The new passport control is very efficient.
I flew long haul (ORD->BEG) and short haul (BEG->LHR) in May.
On the long haul, pajamas, slippers and the Serbian Rakija was still there. I believe some of those things were cut during the time right after the Etihad divestiture.
I also visited the lounge and while the hard product is a little dated, it is well kept but the food and beverage service was quite good and well-reflected at least some of...
I flew long haul (ORD->BEG) and short haul (BEG->LHR) in May.
On the long haul, pajamas, slippers and the Serbian Rakija was still there. I believe some of those things were cut during the time right after the Etihad divestiture.
I also visited the lounge and while the hard product is a little dated, it is well kept but the food and beverage service was quite good and well-reflected at least some of the local cuisine.
Excited to see Air Serbia's expansion as it remains the only flights from the US to the Balkans save for UA's summer service from Newark to Dubrovnik.
I think that you'll find that ATH is very much in the Balkans.
No one cares about Serbia!
But, Serbia cares about you.