TRIP REPORT: Air Serbia, Milan - Belgrade

TRIP REPORT | INDEX

Written by Tomislav Ivanović

After an intense week in Piedmonte, touring local wineries, it was time to return to Belgrade. This is a period when wine writers and journalists get most active... Spring time is the period when major European wine fairs and festivals take place, whilst lots of wineries and wine regions organise press trips and visits...

I arrived at Malpensa Airport slightly after 8 am. I was expecting a much bigger crowd at the airport, but it seemed quiet. Air Serbia flight JU541 on 28th March was already announced for check-in at their usual counters in section 8. Three check-in counters were open, and just a couple of passengers in front of them. The Italian staff at the counter are quite friendly and talkative since there is no queue, so I took the opportunity to ask how many passengers there will be onboard the plane. She gave me the window seat and replied that there will be 98 passengers so she would give me an empty row.

I often fly from Malpensa (given that Italy is one of the major wine destinations in Europe), so sometimes it happens that security check gets jammed, and the queue extends significantly. However, this time I waited only 10-15 minutes to pass the security check, and then continued slowly towards terminal B...

The same situation followed at the passport control. Just about 15 people in the line for non-EU passengers. The policeman seemed indifferent, just scanned the passport, uttered with a semi-loud voice "Buon viaggio" and stamped the passport.

Altogether, quite smooth and quick passage through Malpensa. Meanwhile, I checked the screen with departures. Flight to Belgrade was already announced at gate B3.

Since I had enough time, I stopped for a drink at the nearby cafeteria. Exactly half an hour before departure time, they started boarding. Firstly, business class and Etihad premium passengers, then all others. Whilst boarding the plane, I noticed the entire waterpolo team of Jug from Dubrovnik. Hm, I know that they had a match the day before against BPM Sport Management in Busto Arsizio (Lombardy), but I was surprised to see them flying to Belgrade (knowing that flights to Dubrovnik haven't started yet).

Boarding was completed, however, captain Živanović informed us that we were waiting for permission to taxi to the runway. After 15 minutes' delay, we finally departed.

The flight was rather uneventful. Smooth journey, without turbulence. Sunny weather outside and a great view of the Croatian coast.. I had perfect conditions to start writing my new article about Italian wines for my wine blog - Vinopedia.rs.

I spotted a special offer (a cup of coffee and a croissant for just 300 dinars in total), so ordered it in addition to regular 15 salty fish-shaped crackers and a bottle of water.

I always check what kind of wine is served onboard a plane when I fly. Air Serbia is offering red and white wines from Aleksić Winery in Vranje (South Serbia), whilst the sparkling is a French J.P. Chenet. I have to say that here I would always choose Serbian wine, as the quality/price ratio is much better than for the French mass-produced sparkling wine from lower supermarket shelves.

We arrived in Belgrade with 15 minutes' delay. Again, smooth passage through Nikola Tesla Airport. No queuing in front of passport control, the luggage arrived quite quickly. I noticed that those waterpolo players from Dubrovnik stayed in the transit zone, so it could be that they were continuing the trip to Tivat with Air Serbia (and then some bus shuttle to Dubrovnik, I guess)... Even the customs officers were not stalking passengers as they usually do.

Altogether, quite a pleasant trip without much hassle. And back in Belgrade for 3 days, just in time to prepare for oncoming trip to Bordeaux next week.

EX-YU Aviation News

Share this post