LOT Polish Airlines Launches San Francisco-Warsaw Nonstop Service

LOT Polish Airlines launched nonstop service between San Francisco International Airport and Warsaw Chopin Airport on May 6, the carrier's fourth U.S. gateway and its first on the West Coast.

The route runs four times weekly with the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, configured for 294 passengers across business, premium economy, and economy cabins. Westbound flying time is about 11 hours 30 minutes, with eastbound flights running closer to 10 hours 45 minutes due to favorable winds.

LOT now operates U.S. service from New York JFK, Newark, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The carrier is pitching Warsaw as a fast and efficient connecting hub for U.S. travelers heading to Krakow, Wroclaw, Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn, and other Central and Eastern European cities that lack direct U.S. service.

The launch reflects sustained growth in West Coast demand for Central European destinations, particularly among the Polish-American community in Northern California and a growing roots-tourism segment from second- and third-generation Polish-Americans. LOT estimates that connecting traffic will represent roughly 35 percent of bookings on the route.

Launch fares were available from $890 round-trip in economy and around $3,800 in business class. LOT participates in Star Alliance, so San Francisco passengers can credit miles to United MileagePlus, Air Canada Aeroplan, or Lufthansa Miles & More accounts and book through the alliance's award system.