Review: LOT Polish Airlines Business Lounge Warsaw Airport
This review details the LOT Polish Airlines ‘Polonez’ Business Lounge in the Schengen departures area of Warsaw Airport, Poland.
Warsaw Airport lounges
I have always liked flying LOT Polish Airlines as the carrier offers great connectivity within Europe and an good in-flight product (especially on their Embraer fleet).
Moreover, Warsaw Chopin Airport (IATA Code: WAW) is an easy airport to connect through and if you fly business class or have Star Alliance gold status you can visit some decent lounges.
If you fly from Warsaw with local carrier LOT Polish Airlines or another Star Alliance airline, you will use the Polonez Business Lounge if your destination is within Europe’s Schengen Area, or the Mazurek Lounge if you fly to a non-Schengen country.
In this review we’ll take an in-depth look at the Polonez Business Lounge and all its amenities.
LOT Polish Airlines lounge entry requirements
The Polonez Business Lounge is located in the Schengen departures area one floor up above the concourse.
The lounge is clearly signposted throughout the terminal so finding it shouldn’t be too hard.
To access the Polonez Business Lounge you need to fly in business class on a same-day flight operated by LOT Polish Airlines or another Star Alliance carrier.
You can also gain entry to the lounge if you hold frequent flyer status equivalent to Star Alliance Gold.
Miles & More members with Frequent Traveller status can access the lounge as well, although only on selected flights.
People flying in premium economy as well as certain passengers on charter flights operated by LOT Polish Airlines have the option to purchase lounge access at the reception desk.
The Polonez Business Lounge cannot be accessed with Priority Pass or other lounge membership cards.
Inside the LOT Polish Airlines Polonez Lounge
The LOT Polish Airlines Polonez Lounge basically has the shape of an elongated rectangle.
Although the lounge has no tarmac views, it does have quite some natural light shining in from the terminal windows.
The lounge has diverse seating options ranging from comfortable seats to dining tables and high-top chairs.
Getting a spot can however be hard at peak times such as the early morning departures bank, although during the rest of the day this shouldn’t be a problem.
The lounge doesn’t particularly stand out when it comes to its décor, although the designers did a good job by creating several sections by placing side walls or plants along its length.
I do however really like the retro LOT Polish Airlines posters they use as decoration on the walls as it gives the Polonez lounge a distinct local touch.
You’ll find power sockets next to most of the armchairs in the lounge, as well as around some of the high-top tables.
The Wi-Fi connection inside the lounge has good speeds and is reliable.
Food and drinks
The LOT Polish Airlines Polonez Business Lounge offers a decent assortment of snacks and drinks.
Throughout the day you can get some sandwiches, cold cuts, fruit, finger foods and some sweets and desserts.
For a quick snack, the Polonez Business Lounge will suffice as the quality of the offerings is quite good.
However, if you’re seeking a warm meal or a wide variety of options, you may be left a bit disappointed as the choice at flagship lounges of other major European airlines such as Air France, Lufthansa, Swiss or Turkish Airlines is better.
The Polonez Lounge has self-serve fridges with bottled water, soft drinks and Polish beer.
The coffee machines in the lounge make a satisfying cup of coffee.
You will also find white and red wine, sparkling wine and mid-shelf brands of strong alcohol inside the lounge.
A ‘secret’ lounge inside the lounge
Inside the LOT Polish Airlines Polonez Lounge you will see a door with ‘Elite Club Lounge’ written above it.
If you have access to the Elite Club Lounge it is highly recommended to visit, as this “lounge within a lounge” offers superior food and beverage options compared to the main section of the lounge.
Besides, you will find that the atmosphere here is more peaceful as it’s usually less crowded than the main part of the lounge.
This is because not all eligible passengers who can enter the Polonez Lounge have access to the Elite Club Lounge within it, and many of those who are actually eligible are not aware that they can freely enter!
You can enter the Elite Club Lounge if you hold Star Alliance Gold status or fly LOT Polish Airlines in business class on a scheduled intercontinental flight (passengers on LOT charter flights cannot enter).
Inside the Elite Club Lounge
Although the Elite Club Lounge is much smaller than the main part of the Polonez Lounge, it is always more quiet in my experience, so finding a comfortable seat shouldn’t be too hard.
The seats in this premium lounge are certainly more plush as well, although there are some disadvantages too if you sit here.
As the Elite Club Lounge is basically one confined room, there is no natural light.
Besides, I think there is room for improvement in terms of the lounge’s design to create a better vibe.
However, if you are looking to relax or need to get some work done, the Elite Club Lounge is a vastly better space than the main part of the Polonez Lounge.
LOT Elite Club Lounge food
There is also a difference between the Elite Club Lounge and the standard parts of the Polonez Business Lounge when it comes to the quality of the food and drinks.
Inside two large fridges you will find a good selection of cold cuts, sandwiches, finger foods, small dishes, cakes and other sweets.
There are typically also some hot food items available at the buffet counter of the Elite Club Lounge, although the quality of it can vary.
When I visited at breakfast time, some eggs and sausages were available.
Drinks in the Elite Club Lounge
In the Elite Club Lounge, the drinks selection is notably more impressive, offering a choice of various premium alcohol brands.
Unlike the main part of the LOT Polish Airlines Polonez Business Lounge, there is champagne available in the Elite Club (Piper-Heidsieck to be precise).
For those interested in sampling Polish spirits, there is Soplica barrel-aged vodka and Zubrowka Black, a vodka that undergoes a unique charcoal filtration process.
Naturally, you will also find a good selection of beer, soft drinks, juices and bottled water in the Elite Club Lounge, as well as the same coffee machines as in the main area of the Polonez Lounge.
Other lounge facilities
The LOT Polish Airlines Polonez Lounge at Warsaw Airport features both toilets and showers.
You’ll find these in both the main part of the Polonez Lounge as well as inside the Elite Club Lounge.
However, the toilet facilities are a bit limited and during peak hours you may have to queue.
Conclusion
While the LOT Polish Airlines Polonez Business Lounge at Warsaw Airport may not be the largest or most impressive lounge you’ll come across, it is a perfectly pleasant place to visit.
The lounge has a decent selection of snacks, finger foods and alcohol and outside of the morning departures bank shouldn’t be too crowded.
The experience at the Polonez Lounge gets even better if you qualify for access to the Elite Club Lounge, a designated area within the Polonez Lounge exclusively available to business class passengers on LOT Polish Airlines’ intercontinental flights and individuals with Star Alliance Gold status.
This part of the lounge has more comfortable seating and a better assortment of food and drinks, including champagne.
