LOT TLV-WAW-KTW + Polonez & Dan lounges

EL-AL · Mon May 28, 2018 12:40 pm

LOT TLV-WAW-KTW + Polonez & Dan lounges

Hello,

Poland and Israel aviation relations are on new high right now. LOT Polish Airlines is flying to Israel from no less than 6 Polish airports (WAW, GDN, LUZ, POZ, RZE & WRO). Add to that Ryanair flights (WRO, POZ, GDN, KRK & seasonal to WMI) & Wizzair (WAW, KTW & LUZ), not to mention the Israeli airlines - hence no wonder that many Polish tourists are seen in Israeli streets and flocks of Israelis raiding shops and sights in Poland (In contrast to "traditional" tourism to Poland that focused on groups visiting the sits of WW2 horrors on Polish soil).

I found a true bargain going to Poland using LOT's website with an itinerary giving my log new sub-type (E170) and new airport (KTW). It was booked, and soon it was time to fly. Checking in online showed that the TLV-WAW flight was totally full – only aisle and middle seats left, unfortunately no windows. Arriving to the airport, I stood in line for check in just to see if maybe there was an empty window seat left – unfortunately in vain. The check in hall was pretty busy that morning:

Airside:

Next stop was Dan lounge in TLV, a lounge used by all non-LY airlines in TLV. Its standards are more north American than European/Mideast (no showers, no real hot meals) but for coffee, paper and a snack it’s an ok place to spend time untill boarding:

View from the lounge – Pegasus & Tarom 737s:

Soon it was time to board:

My B737-800 was full to the very last seat. Cabin view:

Legroom was a bit tight:

My seatmates were a couple heading on to Los Angeles. Service-wise, LOT is providing free water (or coffee/tea) and this snack, that for some reason is found on all LOT flights and lounges:

I spent my time reading the morning paper, and soon it was time to land. I have to give it to LOT that they have the cheapest BOB menu I have seen, prices are much lower in Comparison to airport or other airlines prices. Seat pocket content:

We made a bumpy approach to runway 11 and parked at remote stand:

Interesting pictures from Chopin airport's history:

I had about 3 hours in WAW before my next flight. Chopin airport is one of my favorites – I love how the terminal is spread right in front of the runways giving excellent views, food and drinks are cheap, there are some great airport hotels around and transportation to the city is easy and dirt cheap. Terminal airside view:

First time I saw A321-100:

LOT is one of the first airlines to operate the B737-8MAX, I hope to fly it sometime soon:

After some walking around I headed to LOT's Polonez business lounge, which I think is the best in WAW. It has a larger area for most passengers, and small inner lounge for HON circle which offers some more privacy. The lounge design itself is very wise, divided to about 3 parts (and not one large hall) which offers peace and quiet to passengers. Lounge entrance:

Main Lounge:

My favorite seat!

The HON circle lounge offers hot meals (Pork, rice and green beans when I was there), as well as all the things offered in the main lounge – snacks, drinks and alcohol:

View of the premium check in zone:

The inner lounge also offers this dark quiet room for napping (I turned on some lights for the picture as there was no one else inside):

I spent a great few hours in the lounge having lunch, reading and using the wifi, than it was time for the next flight of the day, the short hop to KTW. I was heading to gate 1 where an E170, new sub-type for my log, was waiting. Next to us was the 600th ERJ built:

Unlike the flight from Tel Aviv, this flight was only 30% full:

I love Embraer flights. With 2-2 configuration and generous legroom (for regional jet for sure) it’s one of the most comfortable airplanes in the industry in my opinion:

And off we go:

View of the airport:

Service was similar to the last flight:

With a window seat this time, I had nice view of southwest Poland:

Heading to KTW:

We landed after just 32 minutes in the air, and were bused to the terminal:

After landing, I asked if I can take a quick picture of the cabin:

KTW Arrival hall:

767747 · Mon May 28, 2018 3:34 pm

Nice report. Is the candy bar "Prince Polo" the only snack that LOT offers for free? It seems like every flight report I've seen of LOT has that as the snack offered. Even on morning flights as well too?

Thank you for sharing!

Alphazone · Mon May 28, 2018 5:01 pm

767747 wrote:
Nice report. Is the candy bar "Prince Polo" the only snack that LOT offers for free? It seems like every flight report I've seen of LOT has that as the snack offered. Even on morning flights as well too?

Thank you for sharing!

There is the option of Prince Polo or Frugo sour jellies. On morning flights they sometimes begin the service during taxi even before takeoff.

OP, Welcome

DaveFly · Mon May 28, 2018 9:19 pm

תודה רבה

Excellent trip report, as always!

345tas · Mon Jun 04, 2018 1:53 pm

Thanks for this report. I've always wanted to see inside this TLV lounge.

The legroom on the TLV-WAW flight looks bad. Are you tall?

eastafspot · Wed Jun 06, 2018 2:03 pm

Sometimes aisle seat is a good change!

Thanks for sharing this nice TR

lychemsa · Thu Jun 07, 2018 6:13 pm

So much to see in Poland. Would love to go. My mother went in 1937 and always told me about Krakow, Zakopane and Warsaw.

mke717spotter · Tue Jun 12, 2018 5:50 pm

Thanks for the nice trip report and pictures. Good to see that LO still offers a free beverage/snack service, even if it is somewhat limited.

EL-AL wrote:
Interesting pictures from Chopin airport's history:

Is that a DL jet on the left? I had no idea they used to fly to WAW.

WROORD · Tue Jun 19, 2018 1:54 am

Is that a DL jet on the left? I had no idea they used to fly to WAW.[/quote]

Yes, After DL acquired some of PanAm's assets they flew FRA-WAW and later FRA-WAW-PRG-FRA eventually switching to JFK-WAW service.

WROORD · Tue Jun 19, 2018 1:59 am

A very nice trip report with plenty of great pictures. That "Price Polo" wafer snack has been Lot's staple for the last 30 years or so. I read somewhere that LOT is expanding their catering services on longer flights but I guess 3 hours from TLV is not one of them.
I do agree that WAW terminal is very roomy and airy with many places to sit and eat. Like you I like the full view of apron with plenty of natural light and high ceiling.

LOT TLV-WAW-KTW + Polonez & Dan lounges

LOT TLV-WAW-KTW + Polonez & Dan lounges

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Re: LOT TLV-WAW-KTW + Polonez & Dan lounges

Re: LOT TLV-WAW-KTW + Polonez & Dan lounges

Re: LOT TLV-WAW-KTW + Polonez & Dan lounges

Re: LOT TLV-WAW-KTW + Polonez & Dan lounges

Re: LOT TLV-WAW-KTW + Polonez & Dan lounges

Re: LOT TLV-WAW-KTW + Polonez & Dan lounges

Re: LOT TLV-WAW-KTW + Polonez & Dan lounges

Re: LOT TLV-WAW-KTW + Polonez & Dan lounges

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