Review of LOT - Polish Airlines Business Class

Warsaw is the airline’s main hub although it does operate intercontinental flying from other Polish airports including Krakow as well as Budapest – the capital of Hungary. At its main hub, Business Class fliers will enjoy the best experience thanks to priority check-in and security lanes. Transit passengers will find a vastly improved and modern terminal through which to change flights.

The airline’s main lounge in Warsaw is bright and airy with plentiful natural light, several buffet stations with self-service drinks - including Polish beer and spirits - snacks that change depending on the time of day and many areas to work. Star Alliance Gold members and top elite status cardholders can access a separate lounge within the main lounge through a sliding door in the back of it. This section has upgraded liquor and beverage options, hot and cold food and a quiet area to sit - away from the crowds. Unfortunately, this section has less natural light.

The lounge features a small spa with complimentary treatments, but its hours of operation are limited. There are also shower facilities. In other cities, LOT Polish contracts with lounge facilities for Business Class travellers, many of which are via its Star Alliance partners.

Business Class passengers and Star Alliance Gold members travelling in any cabin always enjoy priority boarding lanes to have more time to get settled.

The airline’s long-haul fleet consists exclusively of Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft laid out in a 2-2-2 configuration in Business Class. With only three rows on the B787-8 and four on the B787-9 aircraft, the Business Class cabin is intimate and allows for faster service and less noise inflight. 

There are just 18 seats in the Business Class offering on the Boeing 787-8 aircraft and 24 seats on the 787-9 series. The cabin is bright, fresh and clean – the seats glow in the LOT signature colour – deep blue – punctuated with hues of white and light grey. While the cabin ostensibly does look clinical - the overhead lights emanate a shade of light blue that adds warmth to the overall feel of it.

With the layout, however, window passengers must step over their neighbour to reach the aisle. Solo travellers may prefer an aisle seat in the centre section to avoid being disturbed. A middle partition can be raised for a bit more privacy from the neighbouring seat.

Like other Dreamliner aircraft, the window shades are controlled electronically with a dimmer function that allows for less light while still being able to see through the window. The crew can lock the windows, however, which means even if in the window seat, you have no control over it at all times. Do not be shy about asking the crew to unlock your window so you can see out of it while it is dimmed to not disturb other passengers.

The wide seats lack storage space for smaller items, but you can place a small carry-on bag beneath the ottoman in front of your seat. The same ottoman allows you to prop your feet up even if the seat is in the upright position. Several settings allow you to put your seat into relax or flat-bed mode electronically. There are cubbies to store magazines and shoes in front of the seat, and an adjustable reading light is a nice touch so as not to disturb other passengers who are sleeping. Power and USB outlets are easily accessible, and a coat hook is built into the front of the seat for convenience.

While the seats have a hard-shell exterior around them, they still feel slightly exposed to the aisle, which is why some people may prefer the window even if it means having to step over someone to reach the aisle. This is not the most innovative Business Class seat out there, but it is wide, comfortable and perfectly functional for the long flights this airline operates.

The cabin uses special LED lighting, which can be gradually dimmed or raised to help people rest or wake up. Boeing says this feature can also help reduce jet lag.

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes images, videos and seat maps for most airlines and aircraft. Search results also include details such as seat pitch, width and recline. This way you can see the seat and cabin configuration of the flight in which you are interested, before making your choice.

LOT Polish is not known for fancy cuisine, but the food it does serve is palatable and presented in impressive fashion. Instead of trays and clunky carts, the airline serves meals directly on to the linen-covered tray table using fine porcelain dishware. Dessert is presented on multi-tier carts so that passengers can pick and choose what they want.

The meal begins with a side salad, warm bread from a basket and a choice of starter that can include cold cuts or soup. Large plates arrive with the main dish choice ranging from beef and chicken to seafood. Restaurant-style presentation is a hallmark of the main course with dishes plated in the galley rather. A multi-tiered cart with dessert soon follows with cake, fruit, cheese or ice cream plus the offer of after-dinner drinks and cordials.

A snack menu between meals is available including a hot option plus a few refreshments including fruit, sweets and small sandwiches; the bar is always open. About two hours before landing, a pre-arrival meal is served on a tray and varies based on the time of day. It is usually a hot meal and more substantial than those other airlines serve. On LOT Polish Airlines, Business Class travellers will rarely go hungry. 

On the airline’s many flights to Asia, several dishes reflect the cuisine of the destination. LOT Polish Airlines serves few of its own national recipes on board.

There is typically not a vegetarian option on the menu, but special meals are available. Travellers can pre-order vegetarian, Kosher, or children’s themed dishes - among others - if they wish. There is no dine-on-demand service, but there is an option to have an express meal served all at once after takeoff.

Before takeoff, a tray of water, orange juice or Champagne (Brut or Rosé, usually Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Reserve) is passed around to each seat, and a small amuse bouche on a glass plate is served along with a refreshing wipe. 

After takeoff, more beverages from the bar are available including three white wines, three red wines, Champagne, port, and several international beers including a Polish option. This is accompanied by a ramekin of mixed nuts. 

A list of fine spirits and liqueurs are available with mixers plus juice, soft drinks, coffee and tea. 

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes information on which Champagne is served in Business Class and First Class on many airlines. We do our best to keep track of any changes, but feel free to let us know if there is something we missed. 

The service is friendly, yet unpolished, in a charming way. It does not seem robotic, and the crew aims to please.

Wide screens in front of the seat are controlled using wired remote controls. The airline offers a decent selection of Hollywood and international movies with a handful of short-subject programs and music. Particularly notable is the range of Polish movies and television shows. Programming is available in many languages, but the noise-reducing headphones are not the best quality.

The interactive, 3-D moving map display provides alternative entertainment and allows passengers to zoom in and out of locations the aircraft is passing. 

Wireless internet is not available. 

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes information on inflight entertainment and Wi-Fi.

Amenity kits stock rather basic toiletries, but include unique items including a shoe horn and foot cream. In addition to a large pillow and blanket, a bedsheet covers the seat so that passengers can feel more comfortable. It is not meant to provide additional padding, but does make the experience seem cleaner.

Before landing, flight attendants distribute Polish chocolates as a small farewell token.

Families travelling with infants can request a bassinet on long-haul flights to use at certain seats.

On short and medium-haul flights, LOT Polish Airlines uses a fleet of narrowbody planes with economy class-style seats. Business Class passengers simply have the seat next to them blocked, and on longer flights within Europe or to the Middle East, it can be less comfortable since there is limited recline or space to work. Meal service includes hot selections on most flights and cold snacks on shorter domestic flights plus access to a full bar including soft drinks, juice, wine, sparkling wine, beer, coffee or tea depending on flight length.

The airline’s shift to the eco-friendly Boeing 787 Dreamliner was part of its sustainability push to become more efficient in flight operations. Other initiatives include replacing plastic materials in favour of bio-degradable products, reducing use of auxiliary power units on the ground and the Destination Eco program where passengers can donate money to offset the carbon emissions from flights they take. The funds go toward planting trees around the country.

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes information on CO2 emissions for each flight. Our quality algorithms also give a higher score to flights operated by the most modern and environmentally friendly aircraft.