(WARSAW, POLAND) LOT Polish Airlines will launch a new nonstop seasonal service from Warsaw Chopin Airport to San Francisco International Airport on May 6, 2026, adding a fresh transatlantic link between Central Europe and the U.S. West Coast at the start of the 2026 summer season.
The route will operate four times a week — Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays — using the long‑haul Boeing 787 Dreamliner and is scheduled for about 11 hours and 30–35 minutes of flight time. It will be the carrier’s sixth U.S. destination, joining New York (JFK and Newark), Chicago, Miami, and Los Angeles. The service is aimed at both business travelers tied to the Bay Area’s tech economy and tourists seeking a direct path between Poland and Northern California.
Strategic rationale and demand
LOT frames the move as a strategic step, pointing to strong demand across its transatlantic network. In the past 12 months, the airline counted about 800,000 passengers flying between Poland and the United States 🇺🇸 on LOT services. The carrier says this supports adding capacity where it can serve growing point‑to‑point travel and connecting traffic from across Central and Eastern Europe.
The San Francisco route is intended to:
– Tap the Bay Area’s large base of technology firms, start‑ups, and investors
– Offer Polish Americans and Polish nationals in California a direct link to Warsaw for family and leisure trips
– Serve connecting passengers from neighboring Central and Eastern European cities via Warsaw Chopin Airport
Seasonal structure, ticketing, and connectivity
The Warsaw–San Francisco flights will be seasonal for summer 2026, a common approach airlines use to test long‑haul markets and match peak travel periods. Ticket sales began in November 2025, giving passengers and corporate travel managers an early window to plan for conferences, academic exchanges, and summer holidays.
Operationally, the route:
– Uses the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, chosen for fuel efficiency and long‑range capability
– Has an approximate flight time of 11.5 hours, placing it among LOT’s longer transatlantic legs (comparable to Los Angeles)
– Runs four days a week to allow crew and aircraft rotations within LOT’s broader long‑haul timetable while offering predictable options on peak travel days
The seasonal service also gives LOT’s network planners flexibility to grow connections beyond Warsaw into neighboring countries, since Warsaw Chopin Airport serves as a hub for travelers connecting onward to the United States.
Practical travel considerations
For travelers:
– Those eligible for the Visa Waiver Program may benefit from reduced total journey time and fewer missed connections, important for time‑sensitive meetings in Silicon Valley.
– Visitors needing a B1/B2 visa should factor in interview wait times and application steps well ahead of departure. Applicants complete the Form DS-160 online; official guidance is available at: DS-160: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application.
– Families may find a single nonstop reduces long layovers for children and older relatives, easing travel stress.
Travelers should also:
– Check passport validity
– Plan for standard U.S. security screening procedures
– Complete visa steps early if required to avoid trip changes
Historical context and market signals
This is LOT’s second attempt to connect Warsaw directly with San Francisco; an earlier plan was canceled during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Relaunching the idea now suggests the airline sees enough steady demand—both local and connecting—to support the route during the summer.
Market implications:
– Signals confidence in Poland’s outbound leisure travel and inbound tourism from the Bay Area
– Enables travelers to link from San Francisco to Kraków, Gdańsk, or other Polish cities through LOT’s Warsaw hub
– May shift passengers away from traditional East/Central European hubs if schedules and fares are competitive
Business and community impact
From a corporate perspective, the nonstop option:
– Shortens door‑to‑door time for firms with teams split between Poland and California
– Benefits tech workers traveling for conferences, product launches, or fast‑moving projects by avoiding extra East Coast stops
– Provides a clear path for students heading to summer programs during peak months
Local community effects include:
– Increased travel options for Polish diaspora groups in Northern California
– More regular visits for weddings, graduations, and seasonal holidays even if the service remains summer‑only
Schedule pattern and network effects
The four‑weekly schedule (Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays):
– Covers days of historically strong transatlantic demand
– Spreads capacity across the week to match traveler patterns
– Suggests LOT may aim for arrivals/departures that connect cleanly on either end, though exact times were not published
With Warsaw’s hub structure, LOT can:
– Funnel passengers from neighboring markets into the San Francisco flight
– Distribute incoming U.S. travelers onto domestic and regional services after arrival
Airport and competitive implications
For San Francisco International Airport and the Bay Area:
– Another European carrier serving SFO adds resilience to the airport’s long‑haul map
– Travelers accustomed to East Coast connections may see fare and routing adjustments
– Polish diaspora and frequent visitors can expect more reliable direct travel options
Industry observers note the May 2026 launch aligns with traditional summer peaks and gives LOT time to market the service, build corporate contracts, and monitor bookings. If performance is strong, LOT may consider extending the season or adjusting frequency in future years.
Important: The airline has not announced special entry rules — standard U.S. admission procedures apply. Travelers should check passport validity, plan for security screening, and complete any required visa steps early.
With ticket sales already open since November 2025, early buyers may see the widest choice of dates in the first operating season, especially around major tech events and school holidays when demand tends to spike. The 787 cabin features typical of LOT’s long‑haul product are intended to reduce fatigue over an 11‑plus‑hour flight.
This Article in a Nutshell
LOT Polish Airlines will start a seasonal nonstop Warsaw–San Francisco route on May 6, 2026, operating four weekly flights with Boeing 787 Dreamliners and approximately 11.5‑hour flight times. The move leverages strong transatlantic demand—about 800,000 passengers between Poland and the U.S. in the past year—and aims to serve Bay Area tech business travelers, Polish diaspora, and connecting passengers from Central and Eastern Europe. Tickets have been on sale since November 2025, and standard U.S. entry requirements apply.
