Does LOT Polish Airlines operate flights within Europe, and what should I know about them?

Yes, LOT offers short-haul and medium-haul flights within Europe (many passing through its Warsaw hub). On those flights, economy fares typically include a carry-on bag, snacks or drinks depending on length, and you should check whether your fare includes free checked baggage, since some promotional fares do not.

How do I upgrade from economy to business class on a LOT Polish Airlines flight?

Upgrades on LOT can be done using miles via the Miles & More program or by paying, depending on availability. For example, on flights from Europe to North America, economy-to-business upgrades start at around 30,000 miles (for certain booking classes) and go up from there. It’s also possible to receive complimentary upgrades if seats are available and you have elite status with LOT or a partner airline.

Does LOT Polish Airlines fly to the United States? What long-haul aircraft are used?

Yes, LOT operates direct long-haul flights from its Warsaw hub to U.S. (and Canadian) destinations using its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.

What are the economy class seat features on LOT Polish Airlines flights?

On LOT’s long-haul Boeing 787 aircraft, you’ll find seat pitch around 32 inches in economy, personal on-demand entertainment, USB or power ports, and free meals. On shorter flights, the entertainment may be limited, as most planes don’t have screens. Plus, snacks may replace full meal service, but you’ll still find outlets for charging your devices.

Is LOT Polish a good airline to fly with?

Yes, LOT has modern aircraft and robust safety systems to ensure a safe and comfortable flight. Every airline has its share of bad reviews, and LOT Polish Airlines is no exception. However, roughly 80% of the airline’s flights depart on time.

What It’s Like Flying Short Economy Flights in Europe With LOT Polish Airlines

Updated: November 12, 2025, 8:00am CST

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Table of Contents

Overview of LOT Polish Airlines
Flying Short Economy Flights in Europe With LOT Polish Airlines
Final Thoughts

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Growing up in the U.S., I had heard the name LOT Polish Airlines. I’d never flown it.

That changed recently. I took a connecting flight with LOT, flying in economy from Lithuania through Poland to Spain.

What was it like? Overall, it felt like any other full-service airline. Seat spacing was acceptable, perks were minimal as an economy class passenger, and we flew from A to B on time — and safely.

Here’s a quick look at my experience flying short-haul in economy with LOT Polish Airlines in late October 2025.

Overview of LOT Polish Airlines

LOT Polish Airlines is a member of Star Alliance, which it joined in 2003. LOT’s headquarters and primary airline hub are in Warsaw, Poland, at Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW).

LOT uses the Miles & More loyalty program for rewards, a program also used by airlines like Lufthansa, SWISS, Brussels Airlines, and others.

LOT’s route map includes destinations as far away as Japan and California. Within Europe, LOT flies to more than 50 destinations.

LOT map — LOT Polish Airlines route map. Image Credit: LOT Polish Airlines

Flying Short Economy Flights in Europe With LOT Polish Airlines

Originally, my flights were planned to be on 2 different plane types. After a last-minute change of aircraft for the first flight, I wound up flying on a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft for both flights.

My flights departed from Vilnius (VNO), Lithuania, to Warsaw, Poland, and then I boarded another flight to Barcelona (BCN), Spain. The flights lasted 1 hour, 5 minutes, and 3 hours, 7 minutes, respectively.

Seats

It was very obvious which plane was newer, as the material on the seats didn’t have any cracks yet. However, both planes had modern seats with an acceptable amount of padding, adjustable headrests, and even a cloth tag with the airline’s logo.

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Some of the seats inside a Boeing 737 MAX 8.

On my first flight, I sat in row 5. Customers have 29 to 30 inches of pitch — the space from one row of seats to the next — on these planes. I’m 5 feet, 10 inches tall, and my knees were very close to the seat in front of me, though not pressed into it in an uncomfortable way.

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Space between rows (pitch).

Economy seats on most LOT flights offer 3 inches of recline.

On my second (longer) flight, I had a seat in the exit row. Here, I had much more space, thanks to 38 inches of pitch. My knees were nowhere close to the seat in front of me.

LOT Polish Boeing 737 MAX 8 exit row space

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Space in the exit row.

With this much space, I wouldn’t mind flying further, such as one of LOT’s flights beyond Europe.

Cabin Features

Economy passengers won’t find entertainment screens at their seats, and there was no Wi-Fi on the flight. However, each seat had a universal outlet and USB-A port for charging — though the location of these was different on the 2 planes. On the first flight, these were above the tray table. The outlet was under the seat on my second flight.

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Back of the seat.

Additionally, the overhead bins were large, and each seat had a modest-sized tray table.

Food and Beverages

Meals weren’t offered on either of my flights. On the first flight, we had a quick drink service. The second flight offered a choice of vegetarian or meat sandwiches and a range of beverages, including sodas, juices, and coffee. Duty-free items and for-purchase meals were available on both flights.

LOT Polish Boeing 737 MAX 8 duty free items — Some of the duty-free items for sale.

Boarding and Service

The check-in and boarding for my flights felt like what you’d expect: neither stellar nor horrible, and accomplished in an efficient manner. Employees weren’t overly friendly, but they did what was needed to keep the line moving.

Announcements in the boarding area were plentiful for both flights, informing passengers which group was boarding now and who would board next. We started boarding the first flight late because of a mechanical problem that resulted in the aircraft being swapped. We received regular updates about this, but we weren’t informed that some passengers’ seats would be changed as a result — including mine. Thus, receiving a new seat assignment during boarding was a surprise.

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Check-in area at Vilnius, Lithuania (VNO) airport.

Final Thoughts

Taking short-haul economy flights with LOT Polish Airlines in Europe offered much of what I expected: no frills, a safe flight, and a decent seat. Offerings during the flights, like the sandwiches and a lack of onboard entertainment, could be improved, but I wasn’t expecting to be wowed during these flights.

Overall, flying with LOT offered a safe, reliable way to get home to Barcelona, staff were efficient at their jobs, and the flights didn’t come with the restrictions of flying a low-cost airline. I got complimentary checked and carry-on luggage (not just a personal item) and could choose my seats without paying a fee.

Would I fly with LOT again? I would.