Lufthansa is Germany's flag carrier, with hubs at Frankfurt and Munich. LOT Polish Airlines is Poland's, based at Warsaw Chopin. Both are Star Alliance members and both run Miles & More, so travellers often compare them for Germany–Poland trips and for connections between Europe and North America or Asia.
Quick verdict
Both are full-service airlines, so the choice comes down to network, cabins and reliability. Lufthansa has the larger network, a bigger long-haul fleet and a First Class option on selected aircraft. LOT suits travellers heading to or through Poland and Central Europe, or those who want a Warsaw connection to North America or Asia, and its Boeing 787s offer Business, Premium Economy and Economy. LOT's punctuality figures were weak in 2023, so allow longer connections.
Choose Lufthansa if…
- You want a First Class option on selected long-haul aircraft, or the newer Allegris cabin where it is fitted.
- You are connecting through Frankfurt or Munich to a wide network of destinations.
- You want Premium Economy with a larger airline and fleet.
Choose LOT Polish Airlines if…
- You are flying to Warsaw, Kraków, Gdańsk or elsewhere in Poland, or connecting to Central and Eastern Europe.
- You want a Warsaw connection to North America or Asia on a Boeing 787.
- You prefer a smaller airline with a Business cabin and meals included on long-haul flights.
At a glance
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Key differences
Network and hubs
Lufthansa flies from Frankfurt and Munich. Lufthansa Group offers more than 14,000 weekly connections to 330 destinations across around 100 countries for summer 2026, though that figure covers the whole group (Aviation Outlook). LOT is much smaller, serving about 102 destinations from Warsaw Chopin, with Kraków as a secondary hub. LOT is the stronger choice for Poland and nearby markets; Lufthansa is the stronger choice for breadth.
Fleet and long-haul
Lufthansa's mainline fleet is 274 aircraft. The long-haul fleet includes A350-900s, along with A340-600s, A380s and 747-8s. LOT has 93 aircraft (July 2026) and operates long-haul only on Boeing 787s, eight 787-8s and seven 787-9s, to North America and Asia. Two more 787-9s are due in the first half of 2027, and Airbus A220s from 2027 will replace older Embraers.
Cabins and seats
Lufthansa offers Economy, Premium Economy, Business and First on selected aircraft. Its newer Allegris cabin is being introduced across the long-haul fleet, so the seat you get depends on the aircraft. LOT's 787-8 has 18 business, 21 premium economy and 213 economy seats; the 787-9 has 24, 21 and 249. Premium Economy is only on the 787. Reviewers in 2023 called LOT's business seat dated but its food good.
Baggage and fares
Both airlines allow one 8 kg cabin bag (55x40x23 cm) in Economy. Checked bags depend on the fare. Lufthansa's Economy Light includes none, while Economy Flex includes two 23 kg bags (2025 third-party summary). LOT's Economy Saver includes no checked bag on many routes. Check the fare conditions for your route before paying.
Reliability
AirAdvisor reported about 76% on-time arrivals for LOT in 2023, the weakest of the European airlines it compared (AirAdvisor). That year is dated, but it is worth allowing generous connection times on separate tickets. LOT has had no fatal accident since the 1980s-era An-24 crash.
Lounges and loyalty
Both airlines run Miles & More and belong to Star Alliance, so miles and Gold status work across both. Lufthansa has lounges at Frankfurt and Munich, including First Class lounges and a First Class Terminal in Frankfurt. LOT has the Polonez (Schengen) and Mazurek (non-Schengen) lounges at Warsaw Chopin, and a Business Lounge in Chicago.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lufthansa better than LOT?
Lufthansa has the bigger network and First Class on selected aircraft. LOT is a good option for Poland and Central Europe, but its 2023 punctuality figures were weaker.
Does LOT or Lufthansa include checked baggage?
It depends on the fare for both. Lufthansa Economy Light includes no checked bag, and LOT Economy Saver includes none on many routes. Check the fare conditions for your route.
Are Lufthansa and LOT in the same alliance?
Yes, both belong to Star Alliance and both use the Miles & More frequent-flyer programme. Status and miles can be used on either.
About Lufthansa Read more
Overview
Lufthansa is Germany's largest airline and the flagship carrier of Lufthansa Group. According to Wikipedia, it traces its history to Deutsche Luft Hansa, founded on 6 January 1926, and was re-established in 1953. It is headquartered in Cologne, operates hubs at Frankfurt and Munich, and is a founding member of Star Alliance. Its frequent-flyer programme is Miles & More. The airline is still operating passenger services in 2026, its centenary year.
Network and hubs
Frankfurt and Munich are the main hubs. For summer 2026, Aviation Outlook reports that Lufthansa Group offers more than 14,000 weekly connections to 330 destinations in around 100 countries. That figure covers the whole group, not only the Lufthansa brand, and the same source describes a shift away from loss-making short-haul feeder flying towards long-haul growth. Lufthansa has also taken a stake in ITA Airways, with an option to acquire the remainder later.
Fleet
Wikipedia lists a mainline fleet of 274 aircraft and 229 destinations (retrieved September 2026; some infobox data may lag). Lufthansa Group as a whole had 737 aircraft at the end of 2025, with 219 more on order, according to Aviation Outlook. The long-haul fleet includes Airbus A350-900s, and Wikipedia also covers A340-600s, A380s and Boeing 747-8s, some of which are being refitted.
On board
- Cabins: Economy, Premium Economy, Business and, on selected aircraft, First Class.
- Premium Economy: introduced in 2014, with a seat pitch of about 38 inches, according to Wikipedia.
- Allegris: the airline's newer long-haul cabin product, which is being introduced across the long-haul fleet. Availability varies by aircraft.
- Meal, entertainment and Wi-Fi details vary by route and cabin. Check the airline's website before booking.
Good to know
- Baggage: a third-party guide (2025) says Economy and Premium Economy include one 8 kg cabin bag (55x40x23 cm). Economy Light includes no checked bag, while Economy Flex includes two 23 kg bags. Business and First include two cabin bags. Rules change, so confirm on lufthansa.com.
- Lounges: Lufthansa operates lounges at Frankfurt and Munich, including First Class lounges and a First Class Terminal in Frankfurt.
- Loyalty: Miles & More has Frequent Traveller (Star Alliance Silver), Senator and HON Circle (both Star Alliance Gold) levels, with lounge access at the higher tiers.
About LOT Polish Airlines Read more
Overview
LOT Polish Airlines (Polskie Linie Lotnicze LOT S.A.) is Poland's flag carrier. According to Wikipedia, it was founded on 29 December 1928 and began operations on 1 January 1929. It is headquartered in Warsaw. The Polish state owns 69.3% and the Polish Aviation Group owns 30.7%. LOT is a member of Star Alliance, and its frequent-flyer programme is Miles & More. Revenue for 2025 was PLN 10.22 billion.
Network and hubs
The main hub is Warsaw Chopin. Kraków is a secondary hub, and Gdańsk and Wrocław are focus cities. The airline serves about 102 destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. AirTreks notes that 2025 additions included Lisbon, Marrakesh, Reykjavik and Malta. Long-haul routes use Boeing 787s to North America and Asia.
Fleet
As of July 2026, Wikipedia lists 93 aircraft in service and 53 on order. Types and numbers in service:
- Boeing 737 MAX 8: 31
- Boeing 737-800: 6
- Boeing 787-8: 8
- Boeing 787-9: 7
- Embraer E170: 4
- Embraer E175: 11
- Embraer E190: 8
- Embraer E195: 15
- Embraer E195-E2: 3
Airbus A220 deliveries are due from 2027 to replace the older Embraers. Two more 787-9s are due to arrive from Virgin in the first half of 2027. Fleet counts vary between sources, and Planefinder showed 90 aircraft in 2026.
On board
Short-haul aircraft have Economy seating only on most flights. The Boeing 787s have Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins. The 787-8 has 18 business, 21 premium economy and 213 economy seats. The 787-9 has 24, 21 and 249. Reviewers describe the 787 business seat as dated but the food as good. The One Mile at a Time review found no Wi-Fi and a modest entertainment library. These findings date from 2023, so check the current position before booking.
Good to know
- Baggage: the economy cabin bag limit is 8 kg and 55 x 40 x 23 cm, per Stasher. Allowances for checked bags depend on fare and route, so check the fare conditions.
- Punctuality: AirAdvisor reported about 76% on-time arrivals in 2023, among the weakest figures for European airlines.
- Lounges: Warsaw Chopin has the Polonez lounge (Schengen) and the Mazurek lounge (non-Schengen). Access is for business class and Star Alliance Gold passengers.
- Loyalty: Miles & More status levels above basic include lounge access.
- Safety: the last fatal crash in Polish commercial aviation was a LOT An-24 accident in 1980s-era service, as of 2025 per Wikipedia.
Sources (6)
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