More news on this day
LOT Polish Airlines has unveiled its largest fleet expansion and network growth plan in decades, ordering 55 new aircraft and confirming fresh long-haul routes to San Francisco and Bangkok as it positions Warsaw as a stronger global hub from 2026.
Record Order Anchors LOT’s Growth Strategy
LOT’s latest announcement marks a defining moment for Poland’s flag carrier, combining a sizeable aircraft order with a clear long-haul growth push. The airline has committed to 55 new jets, with options for 44 more, branding the deal as the biggest fleet modernisation program in its history. The order spans narrowbody and regional aircraft that will gradually replace older Embraer and Boeing jets while boosting overall capacity on European and medium-haul routes.
Industry filings and company statements indicate that the backbone of the short- and medium-haul expansion will be Airbus A220 family aircraft and additional Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets, reflecting LOT’s dual focus on efficiency and flexibility. The A220s are expected to progressively replace aging Embraer regional jets from the latter part of the decade, while the 737 MAX 8s expand capacity on higher‑demand routes. Together, the incoming aircraft will allow LOT to add frequencies, open new city pairs and improve reliability across its network.
For passengers, the modernisation promises quieter cabins, upgraded interiors and improved fuel efficiency translated into more competitive fares and potentially expanded service in secondary Polish and Central European markets. For LOT, the order is also a strategic hedge, ensuring a pipeline of deliveries into the late 2020s and early 2030s at a time when global production slots at major manufacturers are increasingly scarce.
The investment follows a record operational year in 2025, when LOT carried more than 11.7 million passengers, up roughly 9 percent year on year. Strong demand on both European and long‑haul routes has given the airline confidence to push forward with an ambitious transformation plan that seeks to consolidate its role as a gateway between Central and Eastern Europe, North America and Asia.
New Warsaw–San Francisco Route Targets Tech and Tourism
At the center of LOT’s long-haul expansion is a new Warsaw–San Francisco nonstop service, scheduled to launch on May 6, 2026. The route will operate four times weekly during the Northern Hemisphere summer season, connecting Poland’s capital with the heart of the Bay Area technology and innovation corridor. LOT will deploy Boeing 787 Dreamliners on the route, featuring three cabins: business, premium economy and economy.
Current schedules show two distinct departure waves tailored to both European and North American connections. On selected days, flights leave Warsaw late morning, arriving in San Francisco early afternoon, while on others, an evening departure from Warsaw brings travelers into the Bay Area around nightfall. Return services depart San Francisco in the afternoon or late evening, landing back in Warsaw the following day, allowing onward same‑day connections across LOT’s Central and Eastern European network.
For West Coast travelers, the new flight opens a nonstop link not only to Poland but also to cities across the region via Warsaw, including destinations in the Baltics, the Balkans and Western Ukraine. As a Star Alliance member, LOT also offers connectivity with major U.S. carriers at San Francisco, creating one‑stop itineraries between secondary North American cities and Central Europe.
The route reflects a broader industry trend of European carriers venturing deeper into North America’s West Coast beyond traditional hubs. For LOT, San Francisco becomes one of its key U.S. gateways, complementing existing services to Chicago, New York, Newark, Miami and Los Angeles, and reinforcing Warsaw’s position as a competitive alternative to Western European hubs for transatlantic traffic.
Bangkok Returns to LOT’s Map as a Year-Round Long-Haul Route
Alongside the San Francisco launch, LOT is adding Bangkok as a new year-round long‑haul destination from Warsaw, with the inaugural flight set for October 26, 2026. Tickets have already gone on sale for the route, which will operate five times weekly, tapping into sustained Polish and European demand for leisure and business travel to Thailand.
The schedule is designed for convenience on both ends. Eastbound flights are planned to depart Warsaw in the early afternoon, arriving in Bangkok the following morning local time, allowing smooth hotel check‑ins and onward domestic connections within Thailand and Southeast Asia. Westbound services leave Bangkok in the morning, landing in Warsaw early afternoon and feeding into LOT’s extensive European and regional network.
Bangkok has long ranked among the most sought‑after long‑haul destinations for Polish travelers, with strong interest from tour operators, independent holidaymakers and the growing segment of digital nomads and remote workers. LOT’s decision to operate the service year‑round, rather than as a winter‑only leisure route, signals confidence in consistent demand and in Bangkok’s rising role as a regional business and aviation hub.
The new connection also underscores LOT’s broader pivot toward Asia, balancing its transatlantic growth. With Bangkok joining other Asian destinations in the network, Warsaw’s Chopin Airport gains more eastbound connectivity, enhancing LOT’s appeal to travelers from Western and Northern Europe seeking one‑stop access to Southeast Asia without transiting the largest Western European hubs.
What Travelers Can Expect Onboard LOT’s Expanded Long-Haul Fleet
LOT’s long-haul expansion to San Francisco and Bangkok will draw primarily on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, including the 787‑8 and 787‑9 variants. The aircraft are configured in a three‑class layout, with fully flat seats in business class, a dedicated premium economy cabin and a standard economy section. While the business cabin features a 2‑2‑2 arrangement rather than the latest suite-style seating, it is regarded as comfortable for couples and pairs, and LOT has been progressively refreshing soft products such as bedding, amenity kits and in‑flight dining.
Premium economy has become a key selling point on LOT’s long-haul services, offering wider seats, more legroom and enhanced catering at a price point typically far below business class. For the new routes in particular, where flight times hover around 11 to 12 hours, the airline expects strong interest from leisure travelers willing to pay a modest supplement for extra comfort, especially on overnight sectors.
In economy, LOT is banking on the Dreamliner’s relatively quiet cabin, larger windows and improved air quality to differentiate the experience. The airline has also been investing in updated in‑flight entertainment and connectivity options, although coverage and speeds can vary by aircraft and route. For travelers connecting via Warsaw, coordinated schedules are intended to minimize layovers while maintaining enough buffer to protect against delays.
From a practical standpoint, the new long-haul services will align with LOT’s evolving ground product at Warsaw Chopin Airport, where the carrier is working to streamline connections and enhance premium services such as lounges and priority security. With more long-haul capacity flowing through its home hub, the airline is under pressure to maintain operational reliability and service standards, particularly during peak summer and holiday periods.
Implications for Warsaw as a Rising Central European Hub
The combination of a 55‑aircraft order and two headline long-haul additions has wider implications for Warsaw’s role on the European aviation map. LOT’s strategy aims to position the Polish capital as a competitive hub for traffic between North America, Europe and Asia, leveraging its geography and growing local demand. New links to San Francisco and Bangkok, overlayed on an expanded European feeder network, help strengthen that proposition.
As more long-haul flights funnel through Warsaw, passengers from neighboring countries may find it increasingly attractive as an alternative to established Western European hubs for certain journeys. Competitive fares, shorter minimum connection times and access to emerging markets in Central and Eastern Europe all play into LOT’s pitch to both leisure and corporate travelers.
For Poland’s tourism industry, the expanded network is expected to bring additional inbound visitors from the United States and Asia, particularly to Warsaw, Kraków and popular regional destinations. Conversely, Polish travelers will gain more seamless access to California and Thailand, reinforcing outbound tourism flows and business links. Airports and tourism boards on both sides are likely to ramp up joint marketing as launch dates approach.
With aircraft deliveries staggered over several years and new routes entering the schedule from 2026 onward, the expansion is best viewed as a multi‑year project rather than a single‑season push. If demand holds and LOT can successfully integrate its new aircraft, San Francisco and Bangkok may prove early milestones in a broader redefinition of the carrier as a mid‑sized but globally connected player headquartered in Central Europe.