In business class on LOT's 737/8 to Warsaw
On one of my crazy itineraries I ended up in Madrid with a business class ticket to fly to Tokyo [...].
LOT Polish Airlines
Star Alliance
WAW
Japan
In one of my crazy itineraries I ended up in Madrid with a business class ticket to fly to Tokyo with LOT, the Polish airline, to the Rising Sun.
In this article:
- Specifications
- Aircraft:
- 737/800
- Class:
- Business
- Treat:
- MAD - WAV
- Price:
- 180€
- Book
This is a ticket paid cash to fly to Japan that cost me 1500€, all inclusive. I don't always use points to travel, or perhaps it would be better to say that wanting to maintain the status Gold Star Alliance on my Singapore Airlines Krisflyer card, I need to accumulate 50k qualifying miles every year and this is the flight that took me across the finish line three months early.
The best bonuses
Reservation
As mentioned, I paid for the round-trip ticket 1500 euros, this was my first time on board the national airline of Poland, a carrier that often has very affordable fares even from Italy and that contrary to what you might think flies to many interesting long-haul destinations.
Eventually this note got me pocketed 15k SQ miles, qualifying and non-qualifying, and guaranteed me renewal of status until September 2025.
At the airport
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I arrived in Madrid on an Iberia flight from Nice., flight operated by Air Nostrum the regional carrier of the Iberian airline, again I chose to fly IB and not one of the many low-cost airlines because I needed to accumulate TPs for the renewal of my Gold card in BA's executive club.
I took the bus and went from T4, the home of Iberia, to T2 where non-oneWorld carriers fly. Fortunately, I had managed to check in from my cell phone and so, well in advance I went through security and into the lounge.
MAD is about 50 minutes from the center of Madrid, all in all, I could have also popped in downtown, but I preferred to work in the lounge, where they let me in without any time problems.
About 60 minutes before boarding opened, I headed for gate E72, and since it was right below the other lounge in this terminal, I took the opportunity to pop into the bathroom.
In addition to the bathroom, I also enjoyed the view of the 737/8 that was parked right below my seat.
At the gate
I expected some kind of control and instead no announcement with my name by the attendants who arranged the passengers in 4 rows: one for business and then three for passengers in based on the flla on board. Having checked in online, I expected a physical document check, but instead nothing.
Boarding which went off on time and without any hiccups thanks to the direct connection to the terminal via the finger we boarded.
On board
Classic 737 and classic "European" business class, every now and then Americans are amazed at how travel is on the old continent compared to the U.S. where even some low-cost airlines have better seats for first-row passengers.
Of course then it might also happen to end up on ITA's A321neo Who also flies at this airport. In this case one would have a chance to appreciate the difference, but not today. LOT, like everyone else, leaves the seat vacant in the middle and so much goodbye.
I had opted for the first row, of course I can't hold my backpack, but I have more leg room and on a flight of more than 3 hours, inches make a difference. Nothing to say about the plane is Boeing's mule, for better or worse.
The chair
Little to say, the usual chair of economy, but in this case you have the fixed armrests that hide the coffee table.
Coffee table that is really tiny, not very stable and not at all comfortable as a base for working (or eating).
The seat equipment closes with the air vents and nothing else.
Service
Finished boarding the attendant stopped by to offer a welcome drink: water or orange juice.
As soon as we arrived at cruise altitude, onboard service was triggered. First drink and bag of peanuts.
Then cart with eating. Here the size of the risque table puts a strain on the balance In the eating stage.
Food & Beverage
Beverage cart with a decent selection; me not being particularly thirsty went on a glass of Coke Zero.
Two choices: meat or fish. Otimate also the fact that there is also a menu sheet in the tray Who explains to the passenger what he is about to eat.
I tried the cod, dry and tasteless, of appetizer for all there was roast beef (without infamy and without praise), sufficient mango pie. On desserts hardly DO&CO, which is the caterer for LOT, errs.
For all economy passengers, on the other hand, there is a paid menu.
During the flight, the attendant came by the cabin to offer drinks, snacks, and ask if one had other needs.
IFE
There is no screen ca va sans dire, nor internet connection, but there is wi-fi to access the on-board portal.
Here you can watch movies, TV series and keep yourself busy during the flight. All free and for all passengers. Like the view out the window.
In conclusion
Valid product, in some ways even superior to what other carriers offer who on similar routes do not offer a hot dish, only a cold dish.
Obviously the ultimate purpose of this trip was to test and review business class on long haul certainly not this 737, on the return trip I instead took video of the flight in the opposite direction to Aboard a brand-new 737.
Pro
- Service
- Portal with free content
Against
- Coffee table too small
- Gastronomic offerings