A Review of LOT Premium Economy vs LOT Business Class
I have flown in both LOT Premium Economy and LOT Business Class on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. My premium economy flights were in December 2022 and July 2023. On my July 2023 trip, I flew premium economy from Chicago O’Hare to Warsaw and business class on the return flight from Warsaw to Chicago.
At 6 feet 5 inches tall, I pay particular attention to legroom and whether I can get comfortable enough to sleep. Both cabins gave me plenty of room to sit, but the business class bed made a noticeable difference in how long I could sleep without waking up.
I’ll compare the seats, meals, and service I experienced, along with what I paid to upgrade and whether I would do it again. Those prices are historical examples from my flights; the upgrade offers I have seen since have become more expensive.
This review describes the cabins I flew in during 2022 and 2023. I’ve included current information about upgrades and Wi-Fi where relevant, but the photos and personal experiences are from those trips.
LOT Premium Economy vs Business Class: My Verdict
For me, LOT premium economy was comfortable for sitting, eating, and doing work. Business class was most valuable for the ability to sleep in a lie-flat bed.
I found the premium economy seats roomy, but the limited recline made it difficult to sleep for more than about an hour at a time. In business class, I slept for over four hours without waking up. That was on my Warsaw-to-Chicago flight, although I would especially value the bed on an overnight flight to Europe.
The meals and extra space were also better in business class. However, the bed would be my main reason to spend more on the upgrade.
| Feature | Premium Economy | Business Class |
|---|---|---|
| Seat | Wide reclining seat | Seat converts into a lie-flat bed |
| Cabin layout on my flights | 2–3–2 | 2–2–2 |
| Space at 6′5″ | Plenty of legroom while seated | Roomy while seated; the bed was about two inches too short for me to stretch out fully |
| My sleep | Hard to sleep for more than about an hour at a time | Slept for over four hours without waking up |
| Meals | Enjoyable meal, snacks, and a second meal on my flights | More elaborate meal service and presentation on my flight |
| My upgrade bid | About $300 per person, per flight | $505 per person, per flight |
These upgrade amounts were in addition to my original airfare in 2022–2023. Current offers and aircraft interiors can differ.
Watch My LOT Cabin Comparison
My YouTube video shows the seats, meals, and amenities in both cabins, along with my thoughts on whether the upgrade was worthwhile.
Table of Contents
- LOT Premium Economy vs Business Class: My Verdict
- Watch My LOT Cabin Comparison
- LOT Premium Economy Review: Seats and Comfort
- LOT Business Class Seats – Added Comfort
- What I Paid to Upgrade on LOT
- How LOT Upgrades Work Now
- Comparing the Meals and Service
- Check-In, Boarding, and Lounge Access
- Entertainment, Wi-Fi, and Amenities
- Is LOT Premium Economy and Business Class Worth It?
- Related Content
Disclaimer: Buzzin’ Around the World strives to provide accurate and up-to-date information based on our research at the time of publication. We respect all applicable laws and fair use principles. If you believe any information is incorrect or violates regulations, please contact us at buzzinaroundtheworld@gmail.com.
Affiliate Links and Reviews: We use affiliate links to generate income and may receive a commission at no additional cost to you when you use our links. We strive for honest and transparent reviews, even for products which we receive compensation.
Content Creation: Our content is based on our own travel experiences. All photos are our own unless otherwise stated. We sometimes utilize AI tools to assist with tasks like generating titles, summarizing content, and improving organization.
For more information: Please click HERE to visit our privacy policy page. We can be reached at buzzinaroundtheworld@gmail.com.
LOT Premium Economy Review: Seats and Comfort
The LOT premium economy seats reminded me of the typical first-class seats on a domestic US flight. They were wide and comfortable, and I had plenty of legroom even at my height.
The cabin I flew in had a 2–3–2 layout, with two seats on either side and three in the middle. That meant there was only one middle seat in each row.
My main limitation was sleeping. Although the seat reclined, I found it difficult to sleep for more than about an hour at a time. I was comfortable sitting upright, but I could not get the same kind of rest I later experienced in business class.
If I planned to spend the flight reading, watching movies, or doing work, I would be happy with this seat. For an overnight flight when getting several hours of sleep was my priority, I would consider paying more for business class.
What LOT Business Class Added
The biggest difference was the lie-flat bed. Using the electronic seat controls, I could change the seat from an upright position into a flat sleeping surface.
There was plenty of space for my legs while seated. When lying flat, though, I needed about two more inches to stretch out fully. At 6′5″, I had to keep my knees slightly bent. Even with that limitation, I slept for over four hours without waking up.
The business class cabin I flew in had a 2–2–2 layout. There were no middle seats, but a window passenger still had a seatmate between them and the aisle. That is worth considering when choosing a seat.
I also noticed the larger, sturdier tray table and the storage space around the seat. The cabin felt roomier than premium economy, and it was a comfortable place to spend the flight from Warsaw to Chicago.
A Note About the Cabin: My photos show the business class layout I experienced in July 2023. LOT has announced a refurbishment of its 787-8 cabins that includes a different business class layout. Check the aircraft and seat map for your booking rather than assuming every flight will match these photos.
What I Paid to Upgrade on LOT
I used LOT Polish Airlines’ bidding system to upgrade my flights. At the time, my premium economy upgrades cost around $300, while my successful business class bid was $505. Each amount was for one person on one flight, in addition to the original airfare.
On the two occasions when I flew premium economy, I had placed business class bids just below $500 that were not accepted. My $505 bid was accepted for the Warsaw-to-Chicago flight, and the business class cabin was fairly empty.
That does not mean the extra few dollars made the difference. These were different flights, and I would not treat $505 as a reliable winning bid. The upgrade prices I have seen since those trips have also become more expensive.
I have bid on quite a few upgrades over the years, including on other airlines. In my experience, I have had more success upgrading from Europe to North America than in the opposite direction. That is a pattern I have noticed in my own travels, rather than something I would count on when booking a flight.
How LOT Upgrades Work Now
LOT currently offers both bidding upgrades and instant upgrades, subject to eligibility and availability. A bid may or may not be accepted, while an instant upgrade lets you purchase the offered upgrade directly.
An important detail is that LOT says the original fare conditions, including the baggage allowance, remain unchanged when using its upgrade service. Upgrading your seat is therefore different from buying a premium economy or business class ticket outright.
Check LOT’s current upgrade options and conditions for your booking. My successful bids are useful examples of what happened on my trips, but your offer may be very different.
Comparing the Meals and Service
LOT Premium Economy Meals
I enjoyed the food in both cabins. The premium economy meals were some of the better airline meals I have eaten, and the flight attendants provided wonderful service on my flights.
In premium economy, I received a main meal, snacks, and breakfast before landing on the flight to Warsaw. The photographs below show meals from my premium economy trips.
The business class meal service was more elaborate. I received a menu with choices, and the meal began with an amuse-bouche: a cream cheese rose petal that was unlike anything I had eaten before.
My main course was beef cheeks in a demi-glace sauce. The food was served on china, with side dishes and desserts adding to the meal. I also received a second hot meal before arriving in Chicago.
There is an important distinction when comparing these photographs: my premium economy flight to Warsaw and business class flight to Chicago were in opposite directions. The timing and type of meal can depend on the flight as well as the cabin. These photos show what I was served, rather than a menu to expect on every LOT flight.
I appreciated the better presentation and more elaborate service in business class, but I was also happy with the premium economy food. For me, the meal alone would not justify the additional cost of business class.
Check-In, Boarding, and Lounge Access
LOT Polish Premium Check-In
On my trips, both premium economy and business class offered access to priority check-in. During my LOT check-ins at Chicago O’Hare, I never needed to wait more than about ten minutes to get my boarding pass.
LOT Polish Boarding
Boarding was the part of the experience I liked least. Although there were priority boarding groups, the process often felt disorganized. I found it difficult to get through the crowd and into the priority lane.
LOT Polish Lounge Access
Lounge access is another difference to check when comparing the cabins. LOT currently lists lounge access as a benefit of its long-haul business class upgrade. For premium economy upgrades, it lists the option to purchase lounge access in Warsaw at a special price. Check the benefits included with your LOT upgrade for your itinerary.
The front cabins also meant getting off the aircraft ahead of most economy passengers. That was convenient, although it would not be a major factor in my decision to upgrade.
Entertainment, Wi-Fi, and Amenities
LOT Polish Entertainment
Both cabins had seat-back entertainment with movies and television shows. The main difference I noticed was the larger screen in business class.
LOT Polish Amenities and Bedding
In premium economy, I received an amenity kit, pillow, and blanket. Business class included a similar amenity kit along with bedding for the lie-flat seat.
LOT Polish WiFi
There was no Wi-Fi on my flights, so any work I did needed to be available offline. That information has changed since my trips: LOT now offers Wi-Fi on selected Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Availability depends on the aircraft, so check LOT’s current onboard Wi-Fi information before relying on an internet connection.
Is LOT Premium Economy and Business Class Worth It?
I would be happy to fly in either cabin again, depending on the upgrade price and whether I wanted to sleep.
LOT premium economy gave me the space I wanted for sitting comfortably, eating, and doing work. I liked the food and service, and the seat was roomy enough for my 6′5″ frame. Its main limitation for me was sleeping in a reclining seat.
Business class made the biggest difference when I wanted uninterrupted sleep. The bed was slightly too short for me to stretch out completely, but I still slept for over four hours on my flight from Warsaw to Chicago.
The $505 upgrade was worthwhile for that experience. With higher upgrade offers, I would weigh the additional cost against how much I wanted to sleep. I would especially value the bed on an overnight flight to Europe, even though my successful LOT business class upgrade was in the opposite direction.
If you have time between flights in Warsaw, I have also written about how I spent a long layover exploring Warsaw. For another upgrade experience, read my SAS A330 business class review.
