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I often find myself comparing different airlines when planning long-haul trips, especially transatlantic ones. Among them, LOT Polish Airlines is a name that sparks curiosity, especially for travelers considering their first business class redemption.
Many ask: what exactly is it like to fly in LOT Polish Airlines’ business class seats on the Dreamliner? In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the seating, service, food, and even upcoming upgrades scheduled for 2026. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of what works well and where LOT lags behind its competitors.
Dreamliner Comfort and Seating
When we step onto the Dreamliner, the first impression is usually about space and light. The Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 that LOT uses for long-haul flights are fitted with larger windows about 30% bigger than older aircraft. These windows have adjustable tints, which really help when battling jet lag. Add in cleaner air, more humidity, and a cabin altitude that feels closer to 6,000 feet rather than the usual 8,000, and you begin to sense a difference in comfort right away.
Seat Layout and Privacy
We should talk about the cabin setup, because this is where LOT’s current product divides opinion. The business class cabin has a 2-2-2 configuration. On the 787-8, there are just 18 seats spread across three rows, while the 787-9 stretches things slightly. At first glance, this feels cozy, but the layout has drawbacks.
- No true privacy: If you’re in a window seat, you’ll have to climb over your neighbor to reach the aisle.
- Middle section advantage: Only the middle pair of seats guarantees aisle access.
- Dated design: Many travelers describe the seats as inconsistent, lacking the polish of modern business cabins.
For couples, this works well. But for solo travelers, especially those who value privacy, this isn’t the most competitive setup compared to airlines offering direct aisle access for all.
Seat Comfort and Sleeping
I think it’s fair to say the seats are designed more for lounging than for sleeping. They’re lie-flat with a pitch of about 78 inches and width around 22–23 inches, but the angle and padding can make overnight rest less than ideal. Many passengers note that while the seats feel fine for relaxation, they are “not great for sleeping.”
So if you’re flying from Chicago to Warsaw (around 8 hours) or Los Angeles to Warsaw (10–11 hours), you might find yourself shifting often to get comfortable. Still, the soft pillows, blankets, and generally quiet cabin—thanks to the Rolls-Royce engines reducing noise by 60%—do help create a calmer environment.
Food, Drinks, and Service
They say a meal can make or break a flight experience, and here LOT earns higher marks. The food is often praised for being quite good and competitive. On transatlantic flights, expect a traditional starter, a hearty main course, and then a trolley service featuring cheeses and desserts. This rolling cart feels special and is often a highlight.
The drinks menu is decent, featuring both Polish wines and international options. What stands out more than the drinks, however, is the crew. Reviews describe them as friendly, professional, and well-intentioned. On some flights, the catering and service have even been described as “top-notch.”
Still, there’s room for improvement. Sometimes the delivery feels rigid, and the flow of service lacks polish compared to premium competitors. It’s consistent, but not yet luxurious.
Entertainment and Amenities
We can’t ignore the in-flight entertainment system (IFE), because here’s where the product feels dated. LOT’s Dreamliner offers a selection of about 24 newish movies and some classics, but that’s not a wide library by today’s standards. If you’re a frequent traveler, you may find slim pickings.
As for the amenity kit, many passengers feel it’s underwhelming—sometimes just a plain cardboard box with basic items. Compared to Austrian or Lufthansa, this is a weak point. Luckily, larger windows and better air quality help soften the blow, but LOT definitely needs to catch up here.
Lounge Access and Routes
Before boarding, we often get to judge the experience by the lounge. At Chicago O’Hare (ORD, Terminal 5), the LOT Business Class lounge is open and functioning well as of early 2025. It’s a pleasant spot, though not the most luxurious among Star Alliance carriers.
LOT offers direct routes from U.S. cities like New York, Washington, Chicago, and Los Angeles to Warsaw, which is a central hub for connections into Europe. For example:
- LAX–WAW (LO22, 787-8): 11h 25m flight.
- LAX–WAW (LO24, 787-9): 10h 20m flight.
- Chicago–WAW (787-9): 8h 20m flight.
From Warsaw, onward flights to cities like Rome, Milan, or Riga are easy to connect.
Future Upgrades Coming in 2026
We’ve talked a lot about the current product, but what excites me most is the future rollout starting in 2026. LOT plans to retrofit its fleet with Recaro CL6720 business class suites in a 1-2-1 layout. That means direct aisle access for every passenger finally addressing the biggest complaint.
Here’s what we can expect:
- Privacy doors for every seat.
- Dividers and cocoon-like design inspired by Polish landscapes.
- Bluetooth connectivity for personal headphones.
- Modern entertainment system with more options.
- Updated dining that showcases Polish cuisine in a modern way.
By 2030, this rollout will cover most of LOT’s long-haul fleet, putting them among the top European carriers with business class suites that rival Qatar, Virgin, or Delta One.
Comparative Transatlantic Options
When we compare options for a first-time transatlantic redemption, the choice usually comes down to Lufthansa, Austrian, or LOT Polish Airlines. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Lufthansa (A380-800, Munich): Bigger aircraft, but also higher competition for award space.
- Austrian (787-9, Vienna): Consistent seats, good food reputation.
- LOT Polish (787, Warsaw): Weaker hard product today, but stronger value redemptions.
For example, one traveler redeemed 75k Aeroplan miles + $75 USD for an ORD–WAW–RIG trip. Adding a stopover in Warsaw was just 5k more points, making it a cost-effective choice. Pair this with two nights at the Hotel Bristol Warsaw for about 55k Marriott points, and you see how LOT becomes an attractive redemption option despite its seat shortcomings.
Data and Numbers Collection
- Seat width: 22–23 inches
- Seat pitch: 78 inches
- Total seats (787-8): 18 lie-flat seats in 3 rows
- Engine noise: 60% reduction with Rolls-Royce engines
- Fuel efficiency: 20% better than older models
- Cabin air: feels like 6,000 feet
- Profit milestone: First net profit since 2008 when Dreamliner joined fleet
- Award booking: 75k Aeroplan miles + $75 USD taxes
- Chase Sapphire Preferred perk: 75k points sign-up bonus and transfer bonuses to airline partners
Final Verdict
We can sum it up like this: LOT Polish Airlines’ current business class is a mixed bag. The Dreamliner itself provides a comfortable ride with clean air, big windows, and quiet engines. The soft product—food and service generally impresses, but the hard product (seats and IFE) lags behind competitors. Privacy is almost nonexistent in the 2-2-2 layout, and the entertainment system feels outdated.
However, with 2026 upgrades on the horizon, LOT is set to make a leap into modern premium travel. If you value cost-effective redemptions and don’t mind a less private seat today, LOT can still be a solid choice. But if you crave the latest suites with full privacy, you may want to hold off until the new business class rolls out.
For now, LOT Polish Airlines Business Class remains a smart redemption for value seekers, but in the near future, it could become one of the best transatlantic options in Europe.
FAQs
Q1: How are LOT Polish Airlines business class seat reviews compared to economy class?
Business class offers lie-flat seats, better meals, and lounge access, while economy is tighter with basic service. Comfort and privacy are the main differences.
Q4: What is the LOT Polish Airlines Boeing 787-8 business class experience like?
The 787-8 has a 2-2-2 cabin layout with 18 lie-flat seats. Reviews highlight large windows and good service but note limited privacy and dated entertainment.
References
- LOT Polish Airlines Official Website – lot.com
- Star Alliance Network Information – staralliance.com
- Aeroplan Award Chart and Booking Policies – aircanada.com/aeroplan
- Lufthansa Business Class Reviews & Fleet Information – lufthansa.com
- Austrian Airlines Long-Haul Fleet Information – austrian.com
- Dreamliner Boeing 787 Features – boeing.com/commercial/787
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card Benefits – chase.com
- Marriott Bonvoy Hotel Redemption (Hotel Bristol Warsaw) – marriott.com
- LOT Polish Airlines Annual Financial Report (Net Profit) – Aviation press release archives, 2012–2024.
- Passenger Reviews & Flight Reports – Sources include One Mile at a Time, The Points Guy, and FlyerTalk community forums.
Disclaimer: This review is based on publicly available data, passenger feedback, and personal analysis. Experiences may vary by route, aircraft, and crew. Always confirm details directly with LOT Polish Airlines.