LOT Polish Airlines Reports Record July Passenger Numbers in 2025

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.

VisaVerge.com
📋
Key takeaways
LOT carried a record 1,185,946 passengers in July 2025, the highest monthly total in 96 years.
The airline operated 11,072 flights and logged 25,623 block hours, flying 15.5 million kilometers.
LOT’s fleet of 87 aircraft serves 97 destinations; 40 Airbus A220s selected for regional growth.

(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.

LOT Polish Airlines Reports Record July Passenger Numbers in 2025
LOT Polish Airlines Reports Record July Passenger Numbers in 2025

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.

VisaVerge.com
Learn Today
block hours → Total time an aircraft is in service from brake release at departure to brake application at arrival; measures utilization.
hub model → Network strategy centered on routing flights through key airports to optimize connections and feed long‑haul services.
A220 → A narrow‑body Airbus jet designed for short‑ and medium‑haul routes, offering improved fuel efficiency and capacity.
Boeing 787 Dreamliner → Long‑haul widebody aircraft used by LOT for intercontinental routes, noted for range and passenger comfort.
same‑day connections → Flight itineraries allowing passengers to transfer between flights within the same calendar day, improving flexibility.
block hours vs flight sectors → Block hours measure time airborne per flight including taxiing; sectors count individual flight segments.
fleet utilization → Metric describing how intensively an airline uses its aircraft, often linked to block hours and cycles.
route consolidation → Strategic reduction or redirection of services to concentrate traffic through primary hubs for efficiency.

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.

— VisaVerge.com
Share This Article
Visa Verge
Senior Editor
Follow:
VisaVerge.com is a premier online destination dedicated to providing the latest and most comprehensive news on immigration, visas, and global travel. Our platform is designed for individuals navigating the complexities of international travel and immigration processes. With a team of experienced journalists and industry experts, we deliver in-depth reporting, breaking news, and informative guides. Whether it's updates on visa policies, insights into travel trends, or tips for successful immigration, VisaVerge.com is committed to offering reliable, timely, and accurate information to our global audience. Our mission is to empower readers with knowledge, making international travel and relocation smoother and more accessible.
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments