LOT Polish Airlines Adds Warsaw Chopin (WAW) – Almaty (ALA)
ID 120690600 © GrandWarszawski | Dreamstime.com
LOT Polish Airlines will launch nonstop service between Warsaw Chopin (WAW) and Almaty (ALA), Kazakhstan, on May 31, 2026, expanding the carrier’s Central Asia footprint and adding its second Kazakh destination alongside Astana (NQZ).
Schedule & Frequency
-
Start date: May 31, 2026
-
Summer 2026: 4x weekly — Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays
-
Winter season: 3x weekly (days to be confirmed)
-
Block time: ~6h30 eastbound (WAW→ALA) / ~7h30 westbound (ALA→WAW)
Aircraft & Onboard Experience
-
Type: Boeing 737-8 (MAX 8) powered by CFM LEAP-1B engines
-
Cabin: Two-class layout with Economy and a dedicated Business cabin; modern lighting, larger bins, in-seat power, and Wi-Fi availability depending on tail
The 737-8 gives LOT the right mix of range and economics for medium-haul Central Asia sectors while preserving belly space for priority cargo.
Why Almaty (ALA) — And Why Now
Almaty (ALA) is Kazakhstan’s commercial and cultural hub at the base of the Tianshan Mountains, offering year-round demand from business travelers and growing inbound tourism. The route also strengthens two-way flows between Central Europe and Central Asia, with Warsaw (WAW) providing fast connections across LOT’s network to Western Europe, Scandinavia, and North America.
Sample Timings (Local)
Exact timings will publish closer to launch, but the eastbound is planned around 6½ hours with the return at ~7½ hours, balancing connections over Warsaw (WAW)’s morning and evening banks.
Booking & Sales
Seats are now on sale via lot.com, the LOT Contact Centre, and LOT Travel agents. Introductory fare products and through-fares beyond Warsaw (WAW) are available, including checked-through baggage and protected connections on a single ticket.
Destination Snapshot: Almaty (ALA)
Travelers can pair business trips with time at Kok Tobe for skyline views, day trips to Big Almaty Lake, and visits to cultural institutions such as the A. Kasteyev State Museum of Arts. The city’s culinary scene blends Central Asian and European influences, with dishes like kuurdak and lagman featured widely.
Bottom Line
LOT’s new Warsaw Chopin (WAW) – Almaty (ALA) link from May 31, 2026 adds capacity between Central Europe and Central Asia with the efficient Boeing 737-8 and convenient 4x weekly summer schedule (reducing to 3x weekly in winter). The launch builds on LOT’s existing Astana (NQZ) service and enhances connectivity for business and leisure travelers on both ends of the route.
