Flight Review: Air Montenegro Embraer E195 Business Class – FCO-TGD

We flew yesterday on an airline that up until a few weeks ago I had never heard of before. Air Montenegro is the flag carrier of Montenegro and it launched service in 2021. It has a fleet of three aircraft (two Embraer E195 and one Embraer E190 planes). Service is between Montenegro and 16 cities in Europe. We flew the airline from Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Podgorica Airport (TGD) and had a pleasant experience on the sub-two-hour flight.

Anthony’s Take: Air Montenegro does not offer Wi-Fi, entertainment, power outlets, or much in the way of amenities. It did leave early, arrive on time, and serve my needs for a short hop between Italy and Montenegro. If the flight flew daily, I would have booked it back, but it only flies a few times a week and I need to connect at Vienna Airport (VIE) on Austrian later this week to make it back to Italy. That said, if the schedule aligned I would fly the airline again.

Booking

This flight was booked as a one-way ticket directly through Air Montenegro for $258 each for Business Class. The seatmap was empty when I booked and we secured the first row. I know that I booked us across from each other, but when boarding passes were printed at the airport (there is no mobile option), we were seated together on one side without an extra seat next to us. I did not need to check in as boarding passes were automatically online. As I could not print them while away, I went to the counter to get us paper ones.

Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)

Air Montenegro uses Terminal 3 at Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO). It does not offer Business Class passengers Fast Track security (I had to use The Platinum Card® from American Express in order to gain access. The card also allowed me to gain access to the Plaza Premium Lounge (which is part of Priority Pass). I will review the lounge in a separate post. The gate was the last one in Terminal 3 and quite a hike to get there, but I was happy that we were not on a bus and boarded directly from the terminal.

Boarding

The flight boarded on time with those with disabilities called and then Business Class. A family cut in front of Business Class and were quite huffy that they were not asked to board first. The gentleman of the couple looked to be in his late 60s with a wife quite his junior pushing a stroller with a newborn baby in it.

On-Board

We selected seats 1A and 1F as we love the bulkhead. The entire plane is in a 2-2 configuration with the first two rows designated Business Class on our flight. A movable curtain allows the airline to extend or shrink the cabin size. We were surprised (as mentioned above) to receive boarding passes next to each other. When we got on the plane, the flight attendant said that we could spread out to have the four seats for the two of us in row one. Legroom was adequate.

Seat Features

The seats reclined and had a tray table. There were no other features. The aircraft did not offer any power outlets. A pocket mounted on the wall held an air sickness bag and the in-flight magazine (yes, Air Montenegro publishes one).

There were individual reading lights and air nozzles above each seat.

Food

We were provided with a choice of beverage, a sanitizing wipe, and a package of snack mix shortly after takeoff. This was our only interaction with the flight attendant. From what I could tell, the beverage choices were Coke, beer, wine, water, or orange juice. I had some orange juice.

Wi-Fi

The flight did not offer Wi-Fi.

Lavatory

There are two lavatories on the aircraft. I was the only passenger that used the one in the front during the flight.

It was a standard size lavatory with a toilet and sink. They did provide air freshener, which you don’t see often.

Service

The flight attendant did a safety demo, brought us our snack, and then stayed in the galley with her colleague until we landed. Service was fine for such a short flight, but it was not friendly or in any way more than the bare minimum that she needed to do.

Perhaps the best part of the flight was the incredible views on the way into Montenegro. Simply stunning!

Overall Impression:

We departed early and arrived on time. The flight was short and just what I needed to not have to connect on the way between Italy and Montenegro. While there were not many amenities, I would fly the airline again.

Anthony’s Credit Card Pick: I love the lounges where The Platinum Card® from American Express grants me access. It has had a prominent place in my wallet for many years now. While it does have an annual fee of $695, it provides many travel benefits and will always be my go-to for lounge access (both Delta Sky Clubs® and Centurion® Lounges) and booking airfare from the airlines to earn 5x points (up to $500,000 per calendar year booked directly with passenger airlines or through American Express Travel). Learn more. Rates & Fees. Terms apply.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.