About LOT Polish Airlines

LOT Polish Airlines (IATA: LO) is the flag carrier of Poland and one of the world's oldest airlines still in continuous operation, having commenced flights on 1 January 1929. Its primary hub is Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW), with secondary operations from Kraków, Gdańsk, and other Polish cities. LOT is a member of the Star Alliance and operates a fleet of approximately 90 aircraft serving 97 destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America.

LOT is in the midst of the largest fleet modernisation programme in its history, having ordered 55 new aircraft (with options for 44 more), including Boeing 737 MAX-8 jets for short-haul routes and two additional Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners for long-haul. In June 2025 at the Paris Air Show, LOT placed its first ever Airbus order — 40 Airbus A220s (20 A220-100s and 20 A220-300s) to replace its regional Embraer and Bombardier fleet, with deliveries starting in 2027. LOT carried a record 11.7 million passengers in 2025 and holds a 4-star Skytrax rating.

Fleet and Key Facts

Fleet size	~90 aircraft
Main hub	Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW)
Secondary hubs	Kraków (KRK) · Gdańsk (GDN) · Katowice (KTW)
Founded	1929, Warsaw, Poland
Alliance	Star Alliance (since 2003)
Destinations	97 across Europe, Asia, Africa, North America
Aircraft types	Boeing 787-8 · 787-9 · Boeing 737 MAX 8 · Boeing 737-800 · Embraer E195-E2 · E190 · E175 · Bombardier Q400 (regional)
IATA code	LO
Official website	www.lot.com

How EC 261/2004 Applies to LOT Flights

LOT Polish Airlines is an EU-registered carrier headquartered in Poland, so EC 261/2004 applies broadly — both to flights departing from the EU and to flights arriving into the EU on LOT from outside. This means passengers flying LOT from New York, Chicago, Tokyo, or Seoul to Warsaw are also covered, unlike those on non-EU carriers on the same routes.

How Much Compensation Can You Claim?

Compensation is fixed by regulation and depends on flight distance — not ticket price or cabin class.

For flights over 3,500 km, compensation may be reduced to €300 if the arrival delay is between 3 and 4 hours. The full €600 applies when the delay exceeds 4 hours. Under UK261, the equivalent amounts are £220, £350, and £520.

When Are You Entitled to Compensation?

Flight delays

You are entitled to compensation if your LOT flight arrived at your final destination 3 or more hours late, the delay was caused by factors within LOT's control, and the flight was covered by EC 261. The clock starts when the aircraft doors open at your destination — not at departure.

Flight cancellations

You are entitled to compensation if LOT cancelled your flight and notified you fewer than 14 days before departure, and no comparable alternative was offered. You always have the right to a full cash refund or rerouting regardless of the notice period or reason for cancellation. Note that a schedule change is not considered extraordinary circumstances — if LOT changes your flight timing with less than 14 days' notice, compensation may apply.

Denied boarding

If LOT denied you boarding against your will — typically due to overbooking — you are entitled to €250–€600 compensation, plus a full refund or rerouting, plus care at the airport.

LOT staff strikes

Strikes by LOT's own employees over internal pay and contract disputes are not considered extraordinary circumstances under European Court of Justice case law — LOT owes compensation when its own staff go on strike. Air traffic control strikes and third-party airport worker strikes remain extraordinary circumstances and are not compensable.

Downgrading

If LOT moved you to a lower cabin class for operational reasons, you are entitled to a partial ticket refund under EC 261:

• Flights up to 1,500 km: 30% of the ticket price
• Flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km: 50% of the ticket price
• Flights over 3,500 km: 75% of the ticket price

Your Right to Care During a Delay

Delay duration	What LOT must provide
2 hours+	Free meals and drinks · 2 free phone calls or emails
3–5 hours	Full meal appropriate to the time of day
5 hours+	All of the above + right to a full ticket refund
Overnight delay	Hotel accommodation + airport transfers (both ways)

These care rights apply even during extraordinary circumstances. Keep all receipts — if LOT failed to provide these, you can claim reimbursement for reasonable expenses.

When Is Compensation Not Available?

LOT does not owe financial compensation when a disruption is caused by genuine extraordinary circumstances beyond its control:

• Severe weather (storms, heavy snow, dense fog)
• Air traffic control strikes or airspace restrictions
• Airport security incidents or closures
• Political unrest or natural disasters
• Medical emergencies on board
• Bird strikes or externally caused technical damage

How to Claim LOT Compensation

How Voos Can Help with Your LOT Claim

LOT processes compensation claims through its website, but response times can be slow and claims involving schedule changes or technical issues may be disputed. Voos takes the process off your hands entirely.

Check My LOT Claim →

If your LOT flight was delayed or cancelled, Voos can review your claim and, if eligible, pursue it with the airline on your behalf. Our service is risk-free – fees are only charged if your claim is successful. Depending on your specific case, compensation of up to €600 per person may be possible.

• Gather your flight number and booking details
• Keep your boarding pass or e-ticket
• Document communications with the airline
• Check your eligibility for compensation today

Frequently Asked Questions