LOT Polish Airlines has added a fun new signature service item to its premium experience. While it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea (or hot chocolate, as the case may be), I figure some people will appreciate knowing about this. 😉
In this post:
Mokate hot chocolate now offered in LOT business class
LOT Polish Airlines is now serving Mokate hot chocolate in its long haul business class (which includes routes operated by the carrier’s Boeing 787). This classic hot chocolate is served with marshmallows, and for the time being, with a seasonal pumpkin spice syrup.
As you can see, the airline is putting quite a bit of effort into the presentation, as the hot chocolate is being served in a glass mug of sorts, and doesn’t look like something you’d expect to find on a plane. The airline is also serving this hot chocolate in premium economy, though without the same presentation or marshmallows.
While LOT’s business class hard product leaves a bit to be desired (though the airline will start updating cabins in late 2026), the soft product is quite competitive. It’s nice to see yet another fun element added to the experience.
I appreciate when airlines invest in the little details
I’m not writing about this because it’s a slow news day, but rather because I think airlines deserve acknowledgement when they invest in cute little service initiatives that are memorable.
For example, this isn’t quite to the same level, but when I think of the Austrian Airlines business class experience, the first thing that comes to mind is the carrier’s special coffee menu. This is a tiny fraction of what the airline invests in its soft product, but I find it to be the most memorable, and I think a lot of airlines underestimate how much guests appreciate these kinds of investments.
Now, admittedly hot chocolate is a bit more niche and specific than an entire coffee menu, though I think a lot of people will enjoy this, and will appreciate the presentation. In particular, often airlines don’t invest enough in non-alcoholic drinks, which is why I think it’s worth calling out.
Whenever an airline has a signature non-alcoholic drink, I always make a point of ordering it, whether it’s the Cathay Delight in Cathay Pacific business class…
…or Queen of Blue Royal Tea in Japan Airlines first class.
Bottom line
LOT Polish Airlines is now serving special hot chocolate in long haul business class, with marshmallows and syrup. It’s nice to see the airline investing in its soft product, and I look forward to testing this out on my next LOT flight (though maybe only once the new cabins are introduced).
What do you make of LOT’s new hot chocolate service?
I really wish more airlines served hot chocolate onboard, even if it's just from a packet, as I don't drink coffee and don't always want tea. I typically carry a couple of packets of Ghirardelli hot chocolate when I'm taking longer flights, as I can always get hot water (or maybe even milk).
And we wonder why Americans are fat.
I flew LOT from WAW to EWR a few days ago and the soft and hard products are just horrible. Lounge crowded, dark and smelly (flights to JFK, EWR, ORD and YYZ leave minutes apart). The hard product is woefully dated. Food was inedible - everyone around sent back the rubbery goose which was among the worst meals I’ve ever had on a plane. Even the flimsy paper menu was full of typos and mistakes...
I flew LOT from WAW to EWR a few days ago and the soft and hard products are just horrible. Lounge crowded, dark and smelly (flights to JFK, EWR, ORD and YYZ leave minutes apart). The hard product is woefully dated. Food was inedible - everyone around sent back the rubbery goose which was among the worst meals I’ve ever had on a plane. Even the flimsy paper menu was full of typos and mistakes as if they can’t get an intern who will proofread it…
Hot chocolate is not going to move the mark much…
It’s good to see an airline investing in a quality warm beverage for customers. I am
Both a coffee/tea and alcohol drinker, but I do often look menus and think very little thought has gone into those who aren’t. My mother doesn’t drink tea or coffee but loves a hot chocolate and I am sure there are plenty out there like her.
i absolutely love this idea. like LOVE it. kudos to LOT Polish for this, especially since unique nonalcoholic beverage items are hard to come by. in the air you have much lower alcohol tolerance and at some point it's nice to have a warm mug of hot chocolate
Also works a lot better for kids as well. Not going to give a 12-year-old girl Dom Perignon in EK First ;)
Just what I always need to know about! Made my day NOT !!
Post election this is a great way to get Americans to care about Poland
Not a big hot chocolate drinker but I gotta say, popped into a nicer cocktail bar in Raleigh of all places after a dinner last winter and the bartender asked us if we'd ever had gin and hot chocolate. Sounds disgusting but actually tasted incredible. Something about the combination just works perfectly. Wonder if they'd make it happen for you on LOT.
Completely agree about there being lots of opportunities for big impact from comparatively small costs.
They should have chosen the Wedel brand, which is both traditional (I know it's now owned by Lotte, but it has been producing drinking chocolate since 1851) and offers unsweetened chocolate in its product line. Plus, it would be better from a PR standpoint (at least for Polish people).
Agreed.
I don't rate Wedel solid chocolate highly (except Jedyna) but hot chocolate in many places in Poland, both Warsaw and (non-tourist) provinces, is often outstandingly good.
Sadly, it is most likely overly sweet. I don't pay for breakfast in hotels. But, when it is included in France, I have quite enjoyed the places where it is served like coffee, unsweetened, you add what sweetness you want.
I was wondering if more carriers serve their signature cocktails and mocktails in Economy and Premium Economy. If SQ can serve their Singapore Slings in the back as well as Finnair serving their signature Blueberry Juice, how much more can it cost to serve CXs Cathay Delight in the back?! It's another way to enhance the experience even if it's a minor detail.
Glad to see it. The more unique offerings, the better.
That being said, I’m of the same opinion as you that more airlines should offer either cold brew or some kind of canned/boxed unsweetened (or even lightly sweetened) coffee beverage. Seems like a huge untapped market considering how popular these drinks are globally.