Flying LOT Polish with a Baby or Toddler: Is It Good?
LOT Polish Airlines was actually the first airline we’ve ever flown with a baby. My son was born in Poland and at exactly 14 days old we took LOT Polish Airlines and flew with a newborn back to Italy, where we lived at the time.
Since then we’ve flown LOT Polish with a baby multiple times between Italy and Poland. I often traveled solo with the baby, as there was no reason to drag my husband for some appointments.
While LOT isn’t the most well-known airline unless you live in Poland or flying to Eastern Europe, it’s a pretty decent one when it comes to flying with small children.
Flying LOT Polish Airlines with Infant
The LOT Polish Airlines baby policy accepts newborns as young as 7 days without restriction, however, if your newborn is less than a week old, you can still fly as long as you fill out a MEDIF document.
As with most airlines, infants under 2 years old can either fly while sitting on your lap or in a car seat with their own ticket. For some long-haul flights, you will also have the option to request a bassinet however this is not a guaranteed option.
Note that if you’re a solo traveler you are allowed to bring two infants with you, however only one can sit on your lap. The second child needs a separate seat to be secured in a car seat with a seatbelt.
Infant Food on LOT Polish
When flying with LOT Polish Airlines, catering to your infant’s nutritional needs is something you’ll need to plan for as baby food or formula are NOT provided on board and you’ll want to pack your own.
But there’s good news, in addition to your carry-on allowance, you can bring a diaper bag with all the essentials on board. If you’re carrying liquid food for your child that exceeds the usual 100 ml limit, it will be allowed through security, just remember to allow a little extra time for more thorough checks. Alternatively, the flight attendants are happy to provide hot water to help you heat milk or meals for your little one.
I will mention that several times when I had to go through security with my baby at Warsaw Airport, despite the dedicated family security zone it wasn’t always an easy experience. Even when my baby was just a month old I was asked to repack certain stuff while they were still checking on the stroller, which forced me to hand the baby to the officer.
Not everyone might be cool with handing their newborn to a stranger, so keep that in mind because you also need to remove the baby carrier when going through security.
LOT Polish Airlines Lap Infant
As I mentioned before, you can fly with an infant in arms on LOT Polish as long as they are under 2 years old at the time of the flight. You’ll be provided with a special seat belt that attaches to your own so your baby will stay close and secure throughout the journey.
It’s free to have your baby sit on your lap for domestic flights and costs just 10% of the adult fee for all other routes but regardless of where you are flying, you will need to book a place for your lap infant in advance. The easiest way to do this is simply to add an infant to your booking online when making your own reservation.
LOT Polish with a Baby: Facilities
While they don’t have a long list of free baby items, you’ll be happy to know that every lavatory on board LOT Polish flights is equipped with a changing table to make those necessary diaper changes a bit more comfortable. LOT also provides bibs and hot water on board to make feeding easier for parents flying with a baby.
If you are flying out of Warsaw Airport, another great facility they offer is their dedicated Family Check-In desk located in the LOT zone at Sector D. It makes the check-in process for families much easier, especially if you have lots of bulky luggage. There are also family passageways in each of the security check-in areas that make going through security with little kids so much easier!
LOT Polish Car Seat Policy
If you choose to book your infant their own seat, you will need to bring a car seat approved for airplane use. Make sure to check if your car seat has a visible label that states it is approved by an official governing body.
Most importantly, even if approved, check if the size will fit securely on an airplane seat.
I also recommend that you pick a window seat for your car seat so that no one is blocked from freely exiting the row, plus the window can provide some entertainment for your youngster on the long journey.
It’s important to note, however, that children over 2 years old are unable to use a car during take-off, landing, and any time the seat belt sign is on. Kids over 2 must use the standard seatbelt provided in their seat during critical flight phases.
LOT Polish Stroller Policy
Traveling with a stroller is another aspect to consider when flying with kids but luckily LOT Polish has made that super simple for us parents. As part of your free baggage allowance, you can bring one foldable stroller or a car seat per child.
If you have a folding stroller, you have a choice to either check it in at the ticket counter or directly at the gate. If you choose to check your stroller at the gate it will be returned to you upon disembarkation which makes it super easy to transit through the airport with the kids.
Alternatively, free strollers are available for moving around Warsaw Chopin Airport for those of you with a more bulky stroller that needs to be checked ahead of time. They are extremely limited though!
Baggage Allowance for Babies and Kids on LOT Polish
LOT Polish Airlines offers a generous allowance for families traveling with children as all passengers (including lap infants) are entitled to 1 carry-on baggage up to 8 kg (dimensions 55 cm x 40 cm x 23 cm) and a personal item (max. 2kg, dimensions 40 cm x 35 cm x 12 cm).
If you’re checking in at Warsaw Airport you’re also going to be taken to a separate area where they take care of your luggage. I’ve never had an issue with bags on LOT.
Plus, in addition to this regular carry-on allowance, you can bring one more bag per infant under 2 years old with necessities like special food and diapers.
If you are flying on an Economy Saver ticket (no checked baggage), your infant is not entitled to checked bags, however, with all other ticket types both lap infants and children get up to 23 kg of checked baggage.
Children over 2 years old are entitled to the same free baggage limit as adults in every cabin class.
Bassinet on LOT Polish
If you’re heading off on a long-haul flight with an infant, a bassinet may be a comforting solution for your baby. They are only available on Boeing 787 Dreamliners planes and are given out on a first come first serve basis but these bassinets come complete with cozy bedding, providing a snug space for your baby to rest.
The dimensions of the bassinets on board LOT Polish flights are 84 cm x 40 cm, so your baby can’t be taller than 75 centimeters or weigh more than 12 kilograms on the day of the flight if you wish to use one.
How to Reserve a Bassinet/Carrycot on LOT Polish
Securing a free bassinet for your infant on a LOT Polish flight is a straightforward process but it does require some planning. You need to contact the LOT Contact Center at least 7 days before your departure to request it.
It’s best to request a bassinet as soon as possible as they usually have to make seating changes to accommodate you. If you miss the 7-day window, it’s still worth giving them a call up to 24 hours before departure with crossed fingers as bassinets cannot be arranged at the airport.
Gate-Checking Baby Items
While your free baggage allowance can include either a stroller or car seat per child, only the stroller can be gate-checked.
The airline staff will collect your stroller just before boarding, as for the car seat, you can either check it ahead of time at the ticket desk or take it with you on board providing it fits the size restrictions.
Flying with a Toddler on LOT Polish (Over 2 Years Old)
For kids aged 2 to 12 years, there’s a special child’s ticket price which is generally 75% off an adult’s ticket on international flights and 60% on domestic flight prices. This is the same price you would pay for infants who require their own seat.
Onboard, your kids will receive books, games, and crayons, perfect for keeping those little hands and minds busy. Plus the LOT’s in-flight entertainment includes TV shows and games that are accessible on personal devices, so it’s a great idea to bring an iPad for longer flights with toddlers.
If you want to plan ahead and cover all bases, you can even download extra coloring sheets from the LOT Polish website that feature the airline’s mascots.
Plus for those of you flying out of Warsaw Airport, kids will love the chance to meet LOTEK the friendly LOT mascot in one of the amazing playgrounds that include model planes and climbing frames to play in (much more than your standard airport play area).
My son still keeps asking where can he play at this playground again, despite our last visit being ages ago so definitely plan on spending some time there.
Kid’s Meal Options on LOT Polish
On long-haul flights where meals are included, you have the option to pre-select a kid-friendly option online up to 24 hours in advance. The children’s menu features favorites like yogurts, fruits, spaghetti, and chicken nuggets, designed to appeal to the tastes of even the pickiest of eaters.
On shorter flights, LOT provides a snack and drink for all passengers, plus a meal for your child to ensure they are well-fed throughout the journey.
Are Airplane Beds for Baby or Toddler Allowed?
Yes, you can bring airplane beds such as the Flyaway Kids Bed on LOT Polish flights however it must be stowed for take-off and landing.
