LOT Airline is a 4-star airline that is often the object of varying opinions from passengers. Most people praise LOT for its punctuality and comfort, while some have persistent complaints about the lack of in-flight entertainment.

I have flown with LOT Airlines twice; once for a round trip and once for a simple return flight. In this honest review, we will discuss the authentic LOT flight experience. Learn about all the essential details, positive aspects, and negative aspects to make an informed decision about your next flight.

What is LOT Airlines?

LOT Polish Airlines is the national airline of Poland, also known as Polskie Linie Lotnicze. Since it was founded in 1929, it’s considered one of the oldest and most reputable airlines in the world. 

With its main hub at Warsaw Chopin Airport, LOT connects Poland and Central Europe to other destinations. Its wide network extends to Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia. Flight operations are also enhanced and made efficient by LOT’s membership of Star Alliance, the world’s largest global airline alliance. 

Passengers can access A LOT for domestic and international travel, enjoying numerous services like in-flight entertainment and comfort. 

Is LOT Airlines Safe?

Since LOT has a 4-star rating by Skytrax (a prestigious platform), it is generally considered a safe airline. Their good safety record is also underscored by their previous dealings and flight history.

While some passengers may face trouble in other aspects, such as late flights, safety is unlikely to be a point of contempt. As a member of the Star Alliance, LOT Airlines adheres to all the global regulations regarding safety as well as the industry standards. Passengers can depend on them to provide a comfortable and secure journey to their desired destination.

In my personal experience with LOT Airlines, I faced some issues, but none of them were related to safety or protection. Recently, I have heard terrible things about airlines’ ineptitude with passengers’ personal data and credit card details. Hence, I always make sure to read 3rd party cookie policies and other information while booking online. I was glad to see that LOT Airlines had a user-friendly website that appeared straightforward and transparent in terms of data policies. I booked my ticket easily and paid online without stressing too much. All in all, I can see that my experience with LOT Airlines had safety, both physical and information-related.

Food Included Aboard LOT Airlines 

LOT Airlines has a decent food policy, considering that they provide complimentary food on all of their flights. However, the type of food items changes based on your fare class and flight duration.

For short-haul flights, LOT offers complimentary snacks to economy class passengers. The variety includes sweet food items, savory buns, and beverages such as water, coffee, and tea. Typically, passengers can choose what they want out of the available options.

On my long-haul flight with LOT Airlines, all the passengers were provided tray-served meals. The items tasted pretty amazing for airplane food, and the flight attendants were efficient during food service. This meal service was included in the ticket price.

Business class passengers are offered menus on short-haul and long-haul flights. Said menus contain a wide variety of options and diverse cuisines. 

Lastly, in-flight purchases are available for all passengers, no matter their fare class. If you want something to eat, you can buy it on the plane (if they have it available)

LOT Airlines Baggage Policy

Here is a rough breakdown of LOT Airlines’ Baggage Allowance:

Note: it’s different for cabin bags and checked bags.

Carry-on luggage

Fare class	Weight	Size (dimensions)
Economy class	1 piece up to 8 kg + 1 personal item	Bag: 55cm x 40cm x 23cmPersonal Item: (2 kg, 40cm x 35cm x 12cm)
Premium economy class	1 piece up to 8 kg + 1 personal item	Bag: 55cm x 40cm x 23cmPersonal Item: (2 kg, 40cm x 35cm x 12cm)
Business class	2 pieces, each up to 9 kg	Bag: 55cm x 40cm x 23cmPersonal Item: (2 kg, 40cm x 35cm x 12cm)

Checked Baggage

Fare class	Weight
Economy class	1 x 23 kg (50 lbs)
Premium economy class	2 x 23 kg (50 lbs)
Business class	2 x 32 kg (70 lbs)

LOT Airlines Cancellation Policy

The first time I booked a flight with LOT Polish Airlines was 2 years ago; it was supposed to be a return flight from Europe. However, I ended up cancelling that booking due to some personal reasons. Either way, I have firsthand experience with LOT Airlines’ cancellation policy, and we are going to discuss exactly what it entails.

LOT states that cancellations made within 24 hours of booking will be fully refunded regardless of the fare class or other variables. In my case, I booked my flight 7 days in advance and had to cancel the next day after the booking (6 days before the flight’s departure date). Since the 24-hour window had passed, a full refund was not a possible option for me.

I contacted the customer service staff to seek information, and they were really professional. As far as I remember, they responded quickly last time and helped me through the entire process. I ended up paying a small cancellation fee, but the rest of the money was reimbursed within 5 working days. 

LOT Airlines has accommodating cancellation policies, but the fine varies based on your specific facts and fare class. 

Some tickets are non-refundable, and the policy may be different for vouchers or return tickets. Make sure to check that as well.

Is LOT Airlines Worth It?

Whether LOT Airlines is worth it is a matter of personal preference and opinion. Subjectively, I believe that LOT Airlines provided a satisfactory experience. While they did not go above and beyond, they offered everything that I was expecting, given the price of my ticket and fare class.

LOT is a reputable airline that has built a decent name in the market, so I already had decent trust in their services. Unfortunately, the quality of my flying experience was affected by something that wasn’t entirely LOT’s fault. My fellow passenger was extremely chatty and had a fussy baby, so that made my journey somewhat unpleasant; again, I don’t blame the airline itself for this rare instance. The staff members and cabin crew tried helping, but there weren’t a lot of alternatives available. 

Other than that, the flight experience was pretty good. The seats were cozy and had a lot of padding (this is a great way to ensure comfort). My window seat had an armrest and ample leg room for me to stretch my legs and relax on my long-haul flight. Their aircraft are spacious, clean, and rich in ambience, elevating the height of the flying experience. However, I have flown with a lot of European airlines in the past, and I didn’t notice anything that made A LOT unforgettable. I believe that there may be better carriers with similar business models and routes in the market. I would keep my options open for the next time and explore more options.

LOT Airlines FAQs

What kind of airline is LOT?

LOT Airlines, one of the oldest airlines in the world, is the national airline of Poland. As a founding member of IATA, LOT has a great reputation. It is legally known as Polskie Linie Lotnicze.

Does the LOT airline provide free food?

LOT Airlines may offer complementary food, but this service varies based on the duration of your flight. Long-haul flights are more likely to receive free tray-served meals, while short-haul flights are provided with snacks.

Is LOT a 5-star airline?

As per the Skytrax ranking, LOT is a 4-star airline in terms of its quality. The evaluation is conducted based on the quality of service and hard product. 

Final Thoughts 

Imagine boarding a plane and realizing that their service offers nothing compatible with your travel style. In order to avoid this situation, it’s recommended to research your potential airline and see if you should commit to flying with them.

Since air travel is a lot more sensitive than road transport, the responsibility to consider different variables rises as well. Given the entirety of my flight, I believe that LOT provides an above-average travel experience. I would fly with them if I saw that they are offering competitive rates. LOT is not much different from its competitors (such as British Airways), so there is no distinct feature that would specifically urge me to commit unless there was some discount or deal.

Did You Like This LOT Airlines Review?

Sign up for our newsletter to receive more exclusive tips and insights straight to your inbox!