LOT Polish Airlines has been named Best Airline in Central Europe at the 2026 SKYTRAX World Airline Awards. The distinction is based on the opinions of passengers from all over the world who participated in the industry’s largest traveller satisfaction survey. Three LOT Polish Airlines Business Class Lounges have also been awarded a four-star Skytrax status: Polonez and Mazurek in Warsaw, and LOT Business Lounge Chicago.
At the Skytrax World Airline Awards ceremony in London, LOT Polish Airlines was named the Best Airline in Central Europe. The title recognises the quality of the airline’s service and its consistent approach towards the expansion of its product offering and improving passenger experience. This year’s award marks another success for LOT Polish Airlines in this category, following the airline’s win last year. For more than 25 years, the Skytrax World Airline Awards have provided insight into how airlines are perceived by their passengers on the global market.
This year’s awards demonstrate that we consistently care for the passenger experience at every stage of the journey. Being named Best Airline in Central Europe, based on the opinions of travellers from around the world, is a source of great satisfaction for us. The four-star ratings awarded to the Polonez and Mazurek lounges and the LOT Business Lounge Chicago recognise the changes we have introduced recently. During the audit, particular attention was paid to their visual consistency, functionality and excellent food and beverage offering. We are especially pleased that our lounge in Chicago has been recognised, as it enables us to promote Polish design, home-grown brands, flavours and culture across the Atlantic. These awards are a credit to the entire LOT team, whom I would like to thank for their work every day.
Michał Fijoł, CEO of LOT Polish Airlines
Travellers representing over 100 nationalities participated in this year’s edition of the survey that was conducted between September 2025 and August 2026. The final results were based on 24.8 million verified entries related to more than 300 airlines. The survey was available in eight languages: English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.
We congratulate LOT Polish Airlines on being named the Best Airline in Central Europe which is a great affirmation from customers for the quality of product and front-line service being provided every day. This recognition demonstrates the appreciation that customers have for LOT Polish Airlines which is clearly meeting the highest standards.
Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax
In addition to this year’s title of the Best Airline in Central Europe, LOT Polish Airlines holds a 4-star Skytrax World Airline Rating, awarded in 2025 for the quality of its product and passenger service. Unlike the World Airline Awards, where the results are determined by passengers, the World Airline Rating is based on an assessment of product-related standards and service quality, conducted by experts in each field. This system is one of the most recognised methods used for evaluating airline quality globally and entails a comprehensive analysis of the entire passenger experience.
Three business lounges – LOT Business Lounge Polonez and LOT Business Lounge Mazurek at Warsaw Chopin Airport, as well as LOT Business Lounge Chicago at O’Hare Airport – have also been awarded the 4-star status. This is a significant distinction for the premium class offering developed by LOT Polish Airlines and complements the 4-star status the carrier itself enjoys in the Skytrax World Airline Rating. It demonstrates that the high standard of passenger experience cultivated by LOT extends beyond the in-flight service and includes the time spent at the airport before departure as well.
Press Office materials
Skytrax auditors highly rated the standard of LOT’s lounges, highlighting their cohesive design, quality of materials, food and beverage offerings, as well as recognising the clearly defined brand identity. Modern interiors of the lounges combine pure functionality with features emphasising LOT’s Polish roots – both in Warsaw and Chicago.
The LOT Business Lounge in Chicago was noted as a key extension of the brand in North America, effectively showcasing its Polish identity. Another asset of the lounge is the panoramic view of the apron and LOT aircraft. In Warsaw, auditors praised the location of the renovated Polonez and Mazurek lounges, their proximity to the gates, and strong brand visibility; the Mazurek lounge was also commended for its panoramic views of the apron.
One of the standout features was the spa zone in the Polonez lounge, recognised as one of the most unique facilities of this type available in Europe. Factors contributing to this assessment included the high standard of the salon, the wide range of treatments available, the staff’s expertise, and the collaboration with a Polish cosmetics brand.
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