If you’re flying from Warsaw to New York with LOT Polish Airlines in the coming months, you might find yourself on an unexpected flight. This represents almost entirely positive change.
Belgian Airlines operates flights from Warsaw to New York
LOT Polish Airlines operates one flight daily between Warsaw (WAW) and New York (JFK). This flight is normally operated by a Boeing 787, LOT’s only long-range aircraft. However, that’s set to change in the coming months, according to a schedule update that just loaded.
From October 29, 2023 to March 30, 2024, Belgian Airlines will operate the following daily flights on behalf of LOT:
LO26 Warsaw to New York Departing at 4:50 PM Arriving at 9:35 PM
LO27 New York to Warsaw 11:35pm departure 1:05pm arrival (+1 day)
Currently this is only on board until the end of the winter schedule in March 2024 but as we understand this is a one year deal this arrangement will also be extended to the summer 2024 schedule. I predict that.
This is a wet lease agreement. This means that the aircraft and crew will be sent by Belgian Airlines, but you can expect standard his LOT of food, drink and amenities.
This is not the first time we have seen Belgian Airlines operate flights on behalf of LOT. Perhaps this is because Belgian Airlines has some excess capacity (or at least feels more profitable leasing its own planes than operating its own schedule), while LOT has a shortage of aircraft. It probably reflects what is going on.
For those unfamiliar, Belgian Airlines is a quirky Belgian airline that operates scheduled and cargo flights to leisure destinations, as well as wet leasing aircraft to other airlines. . Originally, Belgian Air planned to be a passenger airline that sold its own tickets, but the company has had mixed success with this strategy, which is probably why it leases aircraft.
Belgian Airlines currently operates on a British Airways wet-lease basis between London and Chicago, which will end on 28 October 2023. So I imagine the same aircraft is now heading to LOT.
What does this Belgian Airlines exchange mean for passengers?
Should passengers who have booked this number of Belgian Airlines flights look forward to this change, or does it mean a downgrade?
For context, LOT will operate either a 787-8 or 787-9 on this route with the following capacities:
- LOT 787-8 has 252 seats, including 18 Business Class seats, 21 Premium Economy Class seats and 213 Economy Class seats.
- LOT 787-9 has 294 seats, including 24 Business Class seats, 21 Premium Economy Class seats and 249 Economy Class seats.
![](https://cdn.onemileatatime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/LOT-Polish-Airlines-Business-Class-787-2.jpeg)
Belgian Airlines’ Airbus A330-900neo has 286 seats, including:
- 30 business class seats
- Premium Economy 21 seats
- Economy seats 235 seats
![](https://cdn.onemileatatime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Air-Belgium-Business-Class-A330neo.jpg)
![](https://cdn.onemileatatime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Air-Belgium-Premium-Economy-A330neo.jpg)
![](https://cdn.onemileatatime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Air-Belgium-Economy-A330neo.jpg)
When decomposed, it looks like this:
- This represents a slight increase in capacity since LOT uses 787-8s on this route most days.
- This is perfect for business class passengers. Not only is the cabin bigger (which is good for perks), but Belgian Airlines have a much better business class hard product than the LOT (which I just shared my thoughts on )
- Premium economy is almost the same on both airlines, and I think the capacity will remain the same.
- In terms of economy, the A330-900neo uses a 2-4-2 layout, offering a better product than the 787’s 3-3-3 layout.
- Belgian Airlines’ A330-900neo has Wi-Fi, but LOT’s 787 does not, so that’s another good point.
![](https://cdn.onemileatatime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/LOT-Polish-Airlines-Business-Class-787-10.jpeg)
Conclusion
Belgian Airlines will take over LOT Polish Airlines’ Warsaw-New York flights using Airbus A330-900neo from late October 2023. I think this is a great benefit for passengers. Business class capacity is increasing, and products are now available that allow direct aisle access from each seat. On the other hand, in economy, I think many people prefer the 2-4-2 layout, which is perfect for couples traveling.
What do you think about Air Belgium operating LOT flights to New York?