LOT Polish Airlines

LOT Polish Airlines, the flag carrier of Poland, was founded on 29 December 1928 as a self-governing limited liability corporation by the Polish government during the Second Polish Republic. It commenced operations on 1 January 1929, taking over domestic airlines Aerolot (1922) and Aero (1925). As one of the world's oldest airlines still operating, LOT is a founding member of IATA. Its headquarters are in Warsaw, Poland, with the main hub at Warsaw Chopin Airport and a secondary hub at Kraków Airport.

History

In the 1930s, LOT expanded domestic and international routes, reaching over 10,250 km by 1939, and acquired aircraft like Douglas DC-2 and Lockheed Electra. Operations moved to Warsaw Okęcie Airport (now Chopin) in 1934, but were suspended due to World War II in 1939, with aircraft evacuated. Reestablished in 1945 as a state enterprise under communist rule, LOT primarily operated Soviet aircraft such as Ilyushin Il-18, Tupolev Tu-134, and Antonov An-24, resuming flights across Europe, the Middle East, and transatlantic routes in the 1970s. Post-1989, after Poland's communist era ended, LOT transitioned to Western aircraft like Boeing 737 and 767, joined Star Alliance in 2003, and became the first European operator of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner in 2012. It has focused on hub-and-spoke operations from Warsaw, expanding transit routes.

Current Operations

LOT serves 102 destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America, making it Europe's 22nd largest airline by passengers. It operates 90 aircraft, employs 10,700 staff, and reported US$2.495 billion in revenue and US$173 million net income in 2024. As a Star Alliance member, it uses the Miles & More frequent-flyer program and has codeshare agreements with airlines like EGYPTAIR, El Al, EVA Air, ITA Airways, and JetBlue.

Distinctive Features

LOT's iconic "Flying Crane" logo, designed in 1931 by Tadeusz Gronowski, remains unchanged. Named best Eastern European airline by Skytrax in 2025.