LOT Polish Airlines Reviews: Ratings, Passenger Experiences and Fees

LOT Polish Airlines, Poland’s flagship carrier, holds a Skytrax 4-Star rating for product and service quality. Passenger reviews are mixed, praising cabin crew warmth and Business Class upgrades while flagging delays, baggage handling, and buy-on-board short-haul meals.

What is LOT Polish Airlines’ Skytrax rating?

LOT Polish Airlines is Skytrax Certified as a 4-Star Airline for the quality of its airport and onboard product and staff service. Skytrax notes that LOT “benefits from efficient hub operations at Warsaw Chopin” and that cabin crew service is “generally good across all cabins,” with Business Class standards improving through upgraded amenities and meal presentation (Skytrax, skytraxratings.com).

This places LOT in the same 4-Star tier as Lufthansa, ahead of CSA Czech Airlines (3-Star). Warsaw Chopin Airport itself carries a 3-Star Skytrax airport rating, which explains why some travelers describe the hub as functional rather than luxurious.

Is LOT Polish Airlines part of an airline alliance? (LOT Polish alliance)

Yes. LOT Polish Airlines has been a member of Star Alliance since 2003, one of the world’s largest airline alliances. Star Alliance connects member carriers across roughly 190 countries, giving LOT passengers access to shared lounges, mileage earning, and simplified connections on dozens of partner airlines (lot.com, Star Alliance).

Star Alliance membership matters for a LOT Polish review because it determines lounge access, mileage value, and how smoothly a multi-leg itinerary works. Members include Air Canada, ANA, Austrian, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, SWISS, Turkish Airlines, United, and roughly two dozen others, plus connecting partner Juneyao Airlines.

Who are LOT Polish Airlines’ codeshare partners? (LOT Polish partners)

LOT Polish Airlines maintains codeshare agreements with more than 20 carriers including Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Air Canada, ANA, Singapore Airlines, and Turkish Airlines plus interline agreements with over 100 airlines worldwide (lot.com). Codesharing lets you book one ticket across multiple operating carriers, with baggage typically checked through to your final destination.

A practical edge case: on a codeshare flight such as Warsaw–Frankfurt operated by Lufthansa (sold as LOT flight LO5375), the baggage policy of the operating carrier may apply rather than LOT’s own allowance. Some long-haul LOT routes to Toronto and New York are also operated under wet-lease arrangements (for example, with Euroatlantic 777 aircraft), so onboard amenities can differ from LOT’s own Dreamliner product. Always check in with the airline actually operating your first flight segment.

What do passengers say in LOT Polish Airlines reviews?

Passenger sentiment on LOT Polish Airlines review platforms is genuinely split. Skytrax-verified ratings point to solid 4-Star service, while crowd-sourced review sites skew heavily negative on operational issues like delays and baggage mishandling, even as individual trip reports often describe friendly crew and decent long-haul meals.

Service Quality & Cabin Crew

Cabin crew professionalism is the most consistently praised element across LOT Polish Airlines reviews. Skytrax specifically credits “generally good” service across all cabin classes, and several independent trip reports describe warm, approachable Business Class crews delivering genuine Polish hospitality, even when service style is less formal than some Middle Eastern or Asian carriers.

That said, short-haul Economy reviews mention inconsistent attentiveness passengers on some flights report crew being less discreet or less proactive about cabin order than on long-haul sectors. For context, Lufthansa shares LOT’s 4-Star Skytrax tier, so the two carriers are considered comparable on overall product quality, even though individual trip experiences vary.

Fleet & Onboard Experience

As of 28 January 2026, LOT’s fleet totals 90 aircraft, including seven Boeing 787-9s, eight 787-8s, 23 737 MAX 8s, six 737-800s, and a mix of Embraer regional jets (lot.com). LOT was the first airline in Europe to operate the 787 Dreamliner, and the type anchors its long-haul network.

On short-haul European routes, LOT runs a buy-on-board system for Economy: a bun, water, and coffee/tea are included, while sandwiches or charcuterie boards are paid add-ons (lot.com). Long-haul routes retain complimentary meals and drinks throughout. In-flight entertainment includes 100+ films and 1,000+ digital press titles on Premium Economy and above, though inflight Wi-Fi is only available as a paid package on long-haul and remains absent from parts of the Dreamliner fleet as of this writing.

How reliable is LOT Polish Airlines? Does it run on time?

LOT Polish Airlines does not publish independently verified on-time-performance statistics, so treat specific percentage claims with caution. What’s confirmed is that LOT’s hub model at Warsaw Chopin Airport routes most connections through a dedicated Transfer Center, and EU Regulation 261/2004 entitles passengers to compensation for carrier-caused delays of three-plus hours or cancellations without adequate notice.

Warsaw’s Transfer Center operates through Gate 26 (Schengen) and Gate 20N (non-Schengen), with Schengen-to-Schengen transfers skipping extra security and passport checks. Passengers connecting through from non-Schengen to Schengen flights undergo security and passport control, and USA-bound transfers pass through a mandatory verification point at Gate 22N.

What compensation am I owed for a delayed or cancelled LOT flight?

Under EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers on LOT flights departing the EU or arriving in the EU on LOT may be entitled to EUR 250 (flights up to 1,500 km), EUR 400 (intra-EU flights over 1,500 km and other flights 1,500–3,500 km), or EUR 600 (over 3,500 km) when the carrier is at fault for a 3+ hour delay or late-notice cancellation.

Because LOT is an EU carrier, this regulation applies even to US-originating flights landing in Poland. Extraordinary circumstances, such as severe weather, exempt LOT from paying compensation but not from its duty of care, meaning meals and accommodation should still be provided during a covered disruption.

Value & Pricing

LOT Polish Airlines positions itself as a value-oriented alternative to larger European carriers. Rather than quoting a single headline fare, it’s more useful to compare what each fare class includes, since LOT like most airlines prices baggage, seats, and changes dynamically rather than publishing a fixed fee table.

A carry-on bag (1 x 8 kg plus a personal item) is always included free, even on Saver fares, in every cabin. Seat selection is free in Business and Premium Economy, and free in Economy Standard/Flex fares within the Standard zone; Saver-fare passengers pay for any advance seat choice, and purchased seats are non-refundable (though LOT will issue a credit document valid 12–24 months). All passengers get a 24-hour window after booking for a 100% refund with no admin fee, regardless of fare.

Miles & More: is it worth collecting LOT Polish Airlines miles?

Miles & More, Europe’s largest loyalty program (established 1993), covers LOT alongside Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, and others. Economy earns 20 points on short European segments and 60 points on intercontinental Economy segments, with Business earning up to 200 points per intercontinental segment.

Reaching Frequent Traveller status (650 points/year) unlocks a free Standard-zone seat and Fast Track at Warsaw; Senator status (2,000 points/year) adds lounge access and a Business booking guarantee up to 48 hours before departure.

Pros & Cons Summary

LOT Polish Airlines suits budget-conscious travelers connecting through Eastern Europe, Star Alliance mileage collectors, and anyone prioritizing Warsaw as a transatlantic gateway. Choose LOT if your route runs through Warsaw and total trip cost (fare plus bags plus seat) still beats competitors; consider Lufthansa or another Star Alliance partner if your priority is a more predictable short-haul Economy meal experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does LOT Polish Airlines charge for checked bags on every fare?
No. Economy Saver fares on most long-haul and short-haul routes include zero checked bags, while Standard, Flex, Premium Economy, and Business fares include one to three bags depending on cabin and route (lot.com).

Is carry-on luggage always free on LOT?
Yes. Every fare, including Saver, includes one 8 kg carry-on plus a personal item at no extra charge, across all cabins.

What is LOT’s Skytrax star rating?
LOT Polish Airlines holds a Skytrax 4-Star Airline certification, the same tier as Lufthansa, based on product and staff service quality.

How many airlines are in Star Alliance with LOT?
Star Alliance includes roughly 26 member airlines alongside LOT, connecting over 190 countries, plus a connecting partner, Juneyao Airlines.

Do codeshare flights follow LOT’s baggage rules?
Not always. On codeshare flights operated by a partner airline, the operating carrier’s baggage policy may apply instead of LOT’s own allowance, so check before departure.

Can I get a refund on a seat I purchased?
No. Purchased seat selections and extra services are non-refundable, but LOT issues a credit document valid for 12 or 24 months for future use by the same passenger.

Am I entitled to compensation for a LOT delay?
Under EU Regulation 261/2004, delays of three-plus hours or late-notice cancellations caused by the carrier can qualify for EUR 250–600 depending on distance, though extraordinary circumstances like weather are exempt.

How many Miles & More points does a connecting flight earn?
Points are awarded per segment, not per itinerary for example, an Economy Gdansk–Warsaw–New York trip earns 80 combined points and 80 qualifying points across both legs.

What happens if my bag exceeds the weight or size limit?
Bags over 23 kg or 158 cm total dimensions incur an excess fee processed through LOT’s Contact Center; the maximum allowed is 32 kg and 158 cm per piece.

Can I cancel a LOT booking for a full refund?
Yes, within 24 hours of purchase. LOT’s 24-hour risk-free cancellation policy provides a 100% refund with no admin fee, regardless of fare type.