LOT Polish Airlines
A LOT Polish Airlines Boeing 787-9 | |||||||
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| Founded | 29 December 1928 | ||||||
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| Commenced operations | 1 January 1929 | ||||||
| Hubs | Warsaw–Chopin | ||||||
| Secondary hubs | |||||||
| Focus cities | |||||||
| Frequent-flyer program | Miles & More | ||||||
| Alliance | Star Alliance | ||||||
| Subsidiaries |
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| Fleet size | 86 | ||||||
| Destinations | 97 | ||||||
| Parent company | Polish Aviation Group | ||||||
| Headquarters | Warsaw, Poland | ||||||
| Key people | Michał Fijoł (CEO) | ||||||
| Revenue | PLN 9.93 billion (2024) | ||||||
| Operating income | PLN 805.7 million (2024) | ||||||
| Net income | PLN 688.5 million (2024) | ||||||
| Profit | PLN 805.7 million (2024) | ||||||
| Total assets | US$1.39 billion (2017) | ||||||
| Total equity | PLN 1.142 billion (2024) | ||||||
| Employees | 10,700 (2024) | ||||||
| Website | www | ||||||
LOT Polish Airlines, legally Polskie Linie Lotnicze LOT S.A. (Polish pronunciation: [lɔt], flight), is the flag carrier of Poland. A founding member of IATA, it is one of the world's oldest airlines. With a fleet of 87 aircraft as of June 2025, LOT is Europe's 16th largest operator, serving 97 destinations across Europe, Asia and North America. The airline was founded on 29 December 1928 by the Polish government during the Second Polish Republic as a self-governing limited liability corporation, taking over existing domestic airlines Aerolot (founded in 1922) and Aero (founded in 1925). LOT officially commenced operations on 1 January 1929.
In the 1930s, LOT expanded its domestic and international routes, leading to a network spanning over 10,250km by 1939. It also expanded its fleet, acquiring Douglas DC-2 and Lockheed Electra aircraft, amongst others. The airline moved its operations to the new Warsaw Okęcie Airport in 1934. However, the outbreak of World War II in 1939, led to the suspension of services and the evacuation of most of LOT's aircraft. Post-war, LOT was reestablished in 1945 as a state enterprise, primarily operating Soviet aircraft due to Poland's reemergence as communist state in 1948. Resuming both domestic and international flights, LOT operated a fleet consisting of Ilyushin Il-18, Ilyushin Il-62, Tupolev Tu-134 and Antonov An-24 aircraft. LOT served routes across Europe, the Middle East, and eventually launched transatlantic flights in the early 1970s.
In the post-1989 era, following the fall of communism in Poland, LOT transitioned to Western aircraft, including the Boeing 767 for long-haul routes. The airline joined the Star Alliance in 2003. In 2012, LOT became the first European operator of Boeing 787 Dreamliner. In recent years, the airline faced a failed privatization attempt and a temporary suspension of operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of LOT's destinations originate from its hub at Warsaw Chopin Airport. Between 2019-2025, LOT maintained a year-round, long-haul route connecting Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport to Seoul Incheon International Airport. The airline discontinued this service in March 2025.