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Flying long-haul is always a big decision, and choosing the right airline and seat can make or break the trip. We often wonder if the extra cost of business class is worth it, especially on transatlantic flights. Here, I’ll walk you through what it’s like to fly with LOT Polish Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner business class, sharing the cabin setup, the dining service, entertainment, and the major changes coming in 2026.
Cabin & Seating Layout
Current 2-2-2 Setup Explained
When we board LOT’s Boeing 787-8 today, we find a business class cabin with 18 seats arranged in a 2-2-2 layout. This means that window passengers don’t have direct aisle access. For couples, this works well, but for solo travelers, it may feel outdated compared to airlines offering private suites.
The seats stretch out to 78 inches (198 cm) in pitch, are 22 inches wide, and recline into a fully flat 180° bed. Sleeping comfort is decent because LOT uses a large ottoman rather than small footwells, giving legs more freedom to stretch. That’s a win for overnight flights like Chicago to Warsaw.
- Configuration: 2-2-2
- Capacity: 18 seats in business class
- Strengths: Wide beds, flat sleeping surface
- Weaknesses: Limited privacy, no direct aisle access
Upcoming 1-2-1 Retrofit (2026)
LOT has already confirmed that by late 2026, the Dreamliner fleet will receive a brand-new interior. Business class will move to a 1-2-1 layout, meaning every passenger will get direct aisle access. This will bring the airline in line with modern premium standards.
Each new seat, designed by RECARO (CL6720 model), will include:
- Sliding doors for privacy
- Wireless charging built into the console
- USB-C ports and power outlets
- Wi-Fi via Viasat, with global coverage
- 17.3-inch 4K entertainment screens
The design will highlight deep LOT blues and copper accents, inspired by the Polish landscape. For passengers, this change will finally give LOT a competitive edge against major European and Middle Eastern carriers.
Dining Experience: Polish-Inspired Service
We notice that dining on LOT’s Dreamliner is not just about food it’s about the presentation. Champagne and wine are poured directly from the bottle into proper glassware. A dessert trolley makes the rounds, offering cheese, fruit plates, and sweet treats, which feels refreshingly personal compared to tray-based service.
Meals are Polish-inspired, often with hearty soups, fresh bread, and local specialties. While the food quality is strong, the service style can sometimes feel “rough around the edges,” but crews are generally warm and enthusiastic.
- Highlight: Dessert trolley with cheese and fruit
- Unique Touch: Lavatories decorated with roses and Phenomé skincare products
- Improvement Area: Service polish compared to competitors
Entertainment & Connectivity
Today, entertainment is one of LOT’s weaker points. The Boeing 787-8 business class offers:
- 130 movies
- 230 TV shows
While that number sounds impressive, the quality and variety can feel limited. More importantly, the aircraft currently does not offer Wi-Fi, which is frustrating on long flights.
After the 2026 retrofit, this will change dramatically:
- 4K screens (17.3 inches in business, 13.3 in economy and premium economy)
- Safran Passenger Innovations system
- Wi-Fi powered by Viasat
These upgrades will make LOT’s entertainment competitive with leading carriers.
Booking Costs & Value
We know business class tickets can be expensive, but with points, LOT offers good value. For example:
- Chicago → Warsaw → Athens: 70,000 Aeroplan points + $76.70 in taxes/fees
This redemption is excellent for an overnight flight where you get a lie-flat bed and premium service.
Real Flight Timeline Example (Chicago to Warsaw)
- Scheduled Departure: 9:45 PM
- Boarding Began: 9:40 PM (slightly late)
- Doors Closed: 10:05 PM
- Pushback: 10:10 PM
- Takeoff: 10:15 PM
- Flight Time: 8 hours, 20 minutes
- Arrival in Warsaw: 1:55 PM (+1 day, just 5 minutes behind schedule)
The punctuality is decent, though not always perfect.
Passenger Experience Highlights
We’ve gathered what travelers generally notice the most:
- Pros
- Fully flat seats with good legroom
- Attentive crews with warm personalities
- Polish-themed meals and dessert trolley
- Good redemption value with points
- Cons
- Outdated 2-2-2 setup (until 2026)
- No Wi-Fi on current fleet
- Entertainment feels limited
What Makes the Retrofit Special
We believe the biggest difference after 2026 will be privacy. Each seat will have a door, and every traveler will get direct aisle access. Add to that Wi-Fi, wireless charging, and 4K screens, and suddenly LOT moves from “behind the curve” to being in the game with Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Lufthansa.
Final Thoughts
We see LOT Polish Airlines’ Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner business class today as a “good but not great” product. It has strengths comfortable sleeping, Polish dining traditions, and friendly service but also big gaps like privacy and connectivity.
By 2026, those gaps will be fixed with a world-class retrofit, making LOT a competitive option for transatlantic flyers. If you’re traveling now, you’ll still get value with points and a pleasant onboard experience. If you can wait, though, the future upgrade promises to deliver a far more polished journey.
FAQs
Is LOT business class worth it in 2025?
Yes, if you find a good deal on miles or points, it’s still a solid option. The seat is comfortable for sleeping, the food has unique Polish touches, and the crews are friendly. However, if privacy and Wi-Fi are your top priorities, you might want to wait for the 2026 upgrade.
What will change after the 2026 retrofit?
The cabin will shift to 1-2-1 seating with private doors, new RECARO CL6720 seats, Wi-Fi, 4K screens, wireless charging, and USB-C ports. It will feel like an entirely new product, aligning with the standards of the best business class airlines.
References
- LOT Polish Airlines. (2023, October 20). LOT announces new Business Class cabin for Boeing 787 fleet. [Press Release].
- Boeing Commercial Airplanes. (n.d.). 787-8 Dreamliner Specifications. Boeing.com.
- Aeroplan / Air Canada. (2024). Flight redemption calculator and booking options. AirCanada.com.
- Simple Flying. (2023). LOT Polish Airlines to retrofit 787 Dreamliners with new Business Class.
- One Mile at a Time. (2023). LOT Polish Airlines’ Boeing 787-8 Business Class Review.
- SeatGuru. (n.d.). LOT Polish Airlines Boeing 787-8 seating layout. SeatGuru.com.
- Tangerine. (2023). Design partnership for LOT Polish Airlines 787 cabin retrofit. Tangerine.net.
- Safran Passenger Innovations. (2023). Next-gen inflight entertainment systems. Safran-Group.com.
- Viasat. (2023). Global inflight Wi-Fi solutions. Viasat.com.
- RECARO Aircraft Seating. (2023). New CL6720 and PL3530 seat models announced. Recaro-as.com.
Disclaimer: Information is based on publicly available data, airline press releases, and traveler experiences. Seat layouts, services, and prices may change. Always confirm details with LOT Polish Airlines before booking.
About the Author
Ben Dawson is a travel and aviation expert with years of experience reviewing premium cabins worldwide. He focuses on making complex airline details simple for readers, helping travelers choose the best business class experiences.
