LOT Polish Airlines is the national carrier of Poland and one of the oldest airlines in the world. It is a leader in flights to and around Eastern Europe. Its Star Alliance membership gives it global reach while creative management thinking has helped it to expand long-haul flying to secondary regional cities in Eastern Europe. Chances are, if you are heading to the region, LOT Polish will be one of the best options both in both price and routing. Here’s why.
A strong hub airport at Warsaw Chopin airport
Named for composer Frederic Chopin who lived in Warsaw and was born nearby, this modern hub facility is all glass, permitting plenty of natural light. The airport is quite efficient, but bursting at the seams. Luckily, there are plans for a completely new airport in the works for Warsaw. But, for now, flights to almost all of LOT Polish Airlines’ destinations pass through Poland’s capital city.
The airport terminal is divided between Schengen and non-Schengen areas, but I have never found the passport control line that separates the two to be long. According to the airline, the minimum time needed to connect between two of its flights is only 40 minutes. The airline often sells a connection with that short of a timeframe without any worry that you will miss the next flight. That is one of the lowest connecting times in Europe giving this airport an edge.
If connecting between domestic flights, it’s even shorter, but you will need more time if needing to pass through passport control. The linear shape of the terminal makes it quite easy to navigate, and the only diversions you might find are the interesting shops along the way. I find that the streaming sunshine indoors is especially welcoming when stepping off a long flight.
Modern, rejuvenated fleet
After years of operating with an aging fleet, LOT has finally upgraded its entire aircraft roster to the latest-generation models. It consists of an entirely Boeing and Embraer fleet using the B787 Dreamliner and B737-800 and (more modern MAX models) for international and European flights, respectively.
It also relies on its Embraer 175, 190 and 195 models to link domestic cities as well as other points on its network within Europe. These planes are my favourite when flying in economy class because they do not have middle seats with their 2-2 configuration.
This fleet gives the airline tremendous flexibility, and because its planes are not as large as other carriers’ aircraft, it can launch routes that other airlines may not be willing to retry. For example, LOT Polish stepped in to fly long-haul flights from Budapest, Hungary when the Hungarian national carrier went bankrupt. It has flown to North America and South Korea on and off from the Hungarian capital city.
LOT Polish also connects secondary Polish cities with long-haul flights to North America, including from Kraków and Rzeszów to Toronto and Chicago. This gives the airline a route network that few other carriers can match.
Onboard comforts
LOT Polish operates three cabins on its long-haul flights and just two on narrowbody planes. This includes business, premium economy and economy classes.
Business class
The flat-bed, business class seats on its Boeing 787 Dreamliners are wide with plenty of legroom (so much so that at six feet tall, I cannot touch the seat in front when stretching my legs). The one downside is that the layout is 2-2-2, which means when you are in the window seat, you have to step over someone in the aisle.
On regional flights, business class is simply the standard economy class seat with the seat next to you blocked. I like this setup since it gives you more space to work, but it is disappointing that so many European carriers follow this model when business class airfare is so costly.
There is no shortage of food service on LOT Polish flights, and even on shorter flights, there is usually an impressive meal. Longer flights have tray tables dressed with white cloths and plates and silverware placed directly on the table as if in a restaurant. On shorter flights, it is served all on one tray with a selection of drinks, including tasty Polish wine and beer.
If not redeeming miles, the most common way I end up in business class is by using the airline’s bid-for-upgrade system. You can pay a flat price, too, but you will save a lot more by using the auction system. It’s usually a fraction of the overall cost, and when I succeed, I find myself sleeping in a flat bed after tucking into sweets and cordials served from a dessert cart while smiling about the cash I saved. The upgrade system also works for travellers upgrading from economy class to premium economy.
Premium economy class
On Boeing 787 Dreamliner flights between continents, this is an option for travellers. Seats are in a smaller cabin, which is more intimate with only a few rows in a 2-3-2 setup (avoid that middle seat, if you can). These are larger than the seats in economy class and come with greater recline leg and elbow room plus foot rests. For me, this is a happy compromise (especially on day flights) without paying up for business class. Heartier meals and drinks are on offer, too.
Economy class
Hot meals and an open bar with beer and wine are complimentary on long-haul flights, but all other LOT Polish flights have a buy-on-board menu. Entertainment screens on its Dreamliner planes provide extra diversion between meals with a wide variety of international movies, sitcoms and music programs.
Larger-than-expected loyalty program
LOT Polish uses the Miles & More loyalty program for frequent flyers, which also includes carriers like Lufthansa, Austrian, Brussels Airlines and Swiss International. LOT Polish frequent flier members can also earn and redeem miles on all of the airlines within Star Alliance, which cover every corner of the globe.
I really appreciate that when redeeming miles from other Star Alliance airlines, I can very often find award availability when flying on LOT Polish. The airline makes a great deal of award space for redemption available to partners, which adds a lot of value for being a member of any Star Alliance program.
Premium services
LOT Polish offers passengers in premium cabins as well as those with elite status in its loyalty program some extra perks. These include benefits available at the airport and on board.
Fast Track
This fast-track entrance in Warsaw and Gdansk airports gives eligible passengers (or anyone willing to pay for it) access to premium check-in and shorter security lines. While many airlines offer an expedited path through the airport, LOT Polish sells access to anyone that wants to buy it when flying with the airline.
Lounge network
The only LOT Polish-branded lounges are in Poland, but some of them have private lounge-within-a-lounge sections for its top elite status and Star Alliance Gold members. In other airports, eligible LOT Polish passengers can use Star Alliance lounges or contract facilities. That’s one of the major perks of flying with a member of the world’s largest global group, Star Alliance.
TIME2THINK
As someone whose plans are constantly in flux, buying an airline ticket can be stressful because I need to align my work schedule around my trips. The TIME2THINK option allows you to pay a small fee, which is very worth it for me to lock in my price, to hold a ticket for as many as three days while you finalize other travel issues. To me, that is very worth it.
Premium meals
LOT Polish is a full-service carrier and always offers a refreshment in economy in addition to a paid snack and drink menu. On longer flights, there is a hot meal, but pickier eaters can choose an upgraded meal when seated in economy. In addition to free special dietary requirement meals, there are also gourmet meals available in economy class for a fee served on porcelain and in greater quantity than the free meals served to everyone.
Polish flavours
I love how the airline highlights its national heritage in the food and beverage aspect. The wine and liquor menu includes Polish labels, and before landing, local chocolates or candy are a parting gift from the crew in business class. The one thing I wish the airline would do more of is offering at least one Polish option with every meal choice on all flights. Sometimes, the only choices are international, which seems like a missed opportunity to me.
In all cabins, the buy-on-board menu includes some Polish snacks as well as the opportunity to buy unique things like celebratory cakes and bottles of Champagne delivered to any seat with advance notice for special occasions.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others. Find more perspectives in our user reviews below.
