(POLAND) LOT Polish Airlines set a new benchmark in July 2025, scoring a record-breaking month with 1,185,946 passengers, the highest monthly total in the carrier’s 96-year history. the airline operated 11,072 flights and flew 15.5 million kilometers, topping its previous monthly high by more than 144,000 travelers. The scale of activity places LOT among Europe’s busiest carriers during the summer peak and reflects strong demand from workers, students, and families moving across borders.
According to the airline, aircraft logged 25,623 block hours in July—nearly 1,000 more than the previous high in July 2019. By LOT’s measure, the distance flown equals about 400 trips around the world or 20 journeys to the moon and back. As the numbers climbed, the story behind them was clear: full planes, tight schedules, and widespread interest in Poland as a gateway between Central and Eastern Europe and long‑haul markets.

Passenger surge and network strategy
LOT Polish Airlines framed the July results as proof that its hub model is delivering. CEO Michał Fijoł said:
“The record-breaking month is a result of the hard work of the entire team and confirms that our growth strategy, based on the hub-centric model, is successful. We will continue to expand our route network and acquire new aircraft to strengthen our fleet, enabling us to carry an even greater number of passengers.”
The message matched what travelers experienced on the ground: more flights, fuller cabins, and steady recovery after the pandemic.
Key facts about LOT’s current setup:
- Fleet (as of June 2025): 87 aircraft — including Boeing 787 Dreamliners for long haul and Embraer jets for regional services.
- Network: 97 destinations across Europe, Asia, and North America.
- Supplier selected for 40 Airbus A220 aircraft to add seats and improve efficiency on short- and medium-haul routes.
Routes added or planned in 2025:
- Added this year: Warsaw → Lisbon, Warsaw → Reykjavik, Warsaw → Malta, Kraków → Paris Orly.
- Planned next: Marrakesh, Rovaniemi.
- Strategic consolidation: LOT ended Budapest intercontinental flights in February 2025 to funnel intercontinental traffic through Warsaw and Kraków hubs.
July’s surge also aligns with the broader rebound:
- 2024 passengers: 10.7 million, surpassing pre-pandemic 2019 levels (9 million).
- Statista found LOT had the highest growth in passenger traffic among European airlines in H1 2025.
- Analysis by VisaVerge.com highlights how LOT’s hub-first planning is drawing travelers back to the flag carrier.
Operational intensity in July:
- 11,072 flights in the month — an average of >350 flights per day.
- 25,623 block hours, indicating more time in the air, not just more sectors.
- For passengers, this means more departure options and improved chances for same‑day connections, especially via Warsaw.
Implications for travelers and mobility
LOT’s expanded schedule brings practical benefits for people crossing borders for work, study, or family reasons:
- More choice and less need to backtrack within Europe.
- Stronger flows between Poland and North America — Toronto, New York (JFK), and Chicago among the busiest long‑haul points.
- Better connectivity for employers, students, and families using the Canada and United States corridors.
Ukraine and safety considerations:
- LOT signaled plans to resume flights to Kyiv and Lviv within six weeks after a ceasefire and once Ukrainian airspace is declared safe.
- Any restart depends on security approvals.
- For Ukrainians in Poland and the region, the announcement offers a potential path to quicker travel when conditions permit.
Visa and travel planning
- For travelers who need a visa, follow official guidance from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on entry rules, documents, and processing: https://www.gov.pl/web/diplomacy/visas.
- Planning ahead is important — especially during summer and holiday peaks when appointment slots and flights fill quickly.
Practical effects at airports and on board
Passengers should be prepared for the operational realities of peak traffic:
- Earlier booking windows for lower fares and preferred times.
- Tighter connection banks at hubs — allow comfortable layover buffers.
- High demand for special services (unaccompanied minors, medical support) — request these early.
- Packed overhead bins — consider checking larger carry-ons.
Network choices and future impacts
- Leisure destinations (e.g., Marrakesh) provide winter sun options; Rovaniemi targets seasonal demand.
- The A220 order points to denser regional flying — business centers, secondary cities, and feeder routes that help fill widebodies on North America and Asia flights.
- When A220s arrive, expect more frequencies on short sectors, aiding same‑day travel for consular visits, work assignments, and student moves.
Reliability and the bigger picture
Running 15.5 million kilometers in a single month demonstrates heavy fleet utilization while maintaining network size. For travelers needing predictable schedules — project workers, researchers, and families with complex itineraries — a broader network and more daily choices provide useful fallback options when disruptions occur.
Recovery narrative
- After the 2020 shock, LOT rebuilt traffic step by step: 10.7 million passengers in 2024, exceeding 2019’s 9 million.
- By July 2025, the airline surpassed its own records and recorded more block hours than July 2019 — indicating sustained flying rather than one‑off spikes.
- For regional mobility, this means stronger links through Poland for leisure, work permits, study, and family life that crosses borders.
Outlook
Travelers and employers will watch how the coming months unfold. The summer rush often shapes winter schedules, and July’s performance gives LOT room to keep frequencies high where demand remains strong. If the A220 deliveries stay on track and new routes ramp up, the airline is positioned to carry even more passengers into 2026.
By any measure, July 2025 was a record month for LOT Polish Airlines:
– 1,185,946 passengers
– 11,072 flights
– 25,623 block hours
– 15.5 million kilometers flown
These numbers are large, but the impact is personal — more seats for people starting jobs, pursuing degrees, or reuniting with loved ones. As LOT leans into its hub model and fleet growth, travelers can expect wider choices and denser schedules that make cross‑border plans easier to set and keep.
This Article in a Nutshell
In July 2025 LOT set a company record with 1,185,946 passengers, operating 11,072 flights and 25,623 block hours. The 87‑aircraft carrier serves 97 destinations, has ordered 40 A220s, and attributes growth to its hub model and expanding routes, improving connectivity while increasing pressure on airport and visa services.