Review: LOT Polish Business Class Lounge Warsaw

Ben Schlappig
July 14, 2014
7

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We left the hotel at 5:30AM for our 7:40AM departure out of Warsaw Airport. While that’s earlier than I’d usually leave, we were heading to China on a 72 hour transit without visa, so I wanted to be sure we were leaving a bit extra time just to be on the safe side.

We arrived at the airport at around 5:45AM. The exterior looked much blander than the last time I was here. Last January the entire terminal exterior was plastered in a LOT 787 advertisement, which was rather unfortunate given that all of them were grounded at the time.

Warsaw Airport exterior

Even though the airport isn’t huge, the check-in hall feels “grand,” and we quickly found LOT business class check-in at row “D.”

Warsaw Airport check-in hall

There was one person ahead of us in the queue, and within about five minutes we were helped.

LOT Polish check-in Warsaw Airport

It’s interesting to note that LOT uses contract workers at check-in. That seems a bit odd to me for an airline at their primary hub.

He was friendly, and upon issuing our boarding passes asked where our visas were. I explained we were doing a 72 hour transit without visa and therefore didn’t need anything, which he seemed to have never heard of before. After (unsuccessfully) trying to make a phone call he said he needed to go to the “visa desk,” and would be right back.

After about five minutes he returned, and informed us that we couldn’t fly because we needed visas.

I asked if I could speak directly to the “visa desk,” which he agreed to. As it turns out this “desk” was simply an agent located one check-in row over. I had to explain to him that we were doing a 72 hour transit without visa, which he had heard of, but he was confused how we were in transit when our destination was Ethiopia.

Rather than trying to explain to him that it doesn’t really matter what country you continue to (as long as it’s a third country), I simply said that the flight schedule to Ethiopia was really limited, and that this is what our travel agent booked for us. That answer worked for him.

At that point we were given our boarding passes and headed towards the security checkpoint. At the very back right of the terminal is a premium security line, which not many people seem to know about, since it’s almost hidden (or maybe just not many people are eligible for it… I’m not sure which, really).

Warsaw Airport check-in hall

There was no one else in line at security, and within minutes we were through.

Warsaw Airport terminal

The LOT Polish lounge is one level up from the main terminal, maybe a three minute walk from the security checkpoint.

Warsaw Airport terminal

Since we had baggage we took the elevator up to the second floor, rather than stairs.

Elevator to LOT Business Lounge Warsaw Airport

Entrance to LOT Business Lounge Warsaw Airport

At the entrance we were promptly admitted, and informed that there would be no boarding announcements.

The lounge decor here is interesting. It’s neither modern nor worn, but rather just… unique. Not quite as unique as the EVA Air Infinity Lounge Taipei, but still unique. 😉

There’s plenty of seating, from chairs with coffee tables to comfortable sofas.

LOT Business Lounge Warsaw Airport seating

There’s a small business center with some PCs.

LOT Business Lounge Warsaw Airport business center

There’s also a first class lounge section, though I’m not quite sure what that’s like, or if it was even open — it was in a different area of the lounge the last time I visited.

LOT Business Lounge Warsaw Airport HON Circle Lounge

In terms of the food spread, it’s quite decent. There are two buffets — one at each end of the lounge — which are almost identical.