Carry-On Baggage
Allowance:
- Economy Class (Saver, Standard, Flex): One carry-on bag + one personal item (e.g., handbag, laptop bag, small backpack).
- Premium Economy (International): One carry-on bag + one personal item; on intercontinental flights, two carry-on bags (combined weight ≤12 kg, each ≤8 kg).
- Business Class: Two carry-on bags + one personal item.
Size and Weight:
- Carry-on: Maximum dimensions 55 cm x 40 cm x 23 cm (21.6 in x 15.7 in x 9 in), including handles and wheels.
- Economy: Max 8 kg (17.6 lbs).
- Premium Economy (intercontinental): Max 12 kg total (each bag ≤8 kg).
- Business: Max 9 kg per bag (18 kg total).
- Personal item: Max 40 cm x 35 cm x 12 cm (15.7 in x 13.8 in x 4.7 in), max 2 kg (4.4 lbs); must fit under the seat.
Additional Notes:
- Liquids: Max 100 ml per container in a 1-liter zip-top bag.
- On Dash 8 Q400 aircraft, carry-on bags may be tagged for hold storage (“Delivery at Aircraft” procedure) and returned after landing.
- Infants: Additional bag with food and a foldable stroller/pushchair allowed free.
- Strict size/weight checks at gates; non-compliant bags incur excess fees (e.g., ~60 PLN/15 EUR).
- Mobility aids (e.g., crutches, wheelchairs) for passengers with reduced mobility are free (up to two devices; notify 48 hours prior).
Checked Baggage
Size and Weight:
- Maximum dimensions: 158 cm (62 in) total (length + width + height).
- Maximum weight per piece: 23 kg (Economy/Premium), 32 kg (Business). Bags over 32 kg (max 45 kg for sports equipment) must be shipped as cargo.
Special Notes:
- Charter flights (e.g., Warsaw-Turin/Verona): 15 kg + 10 kg ski equipment; check with tour operator.
- Economy Saver: First checked bag can be pre-purchased at a discount (e.g., 54–60 PLN/13–20 USD online >12 hours before departure; higher at airport).
- Codeshare flights: Operating carrier’s policy may apply; confirm with LOT.
Special Baggage
Items: Sports equipment (e.g., skis, golf clubs, bicycles), musical instruments, pets, wheelchairs.
Rules:
Sports Equipment:
- Free if within allowance (weight/piece limits); size may exceed 158 cm.
- Excess fees apply if over allowance (55–380 USD based on route/equipment).
- Max 32 kg; over 32 kg (max 45 kg) requires cargo. Notify 24 hours prior via LOT Contact Center.
- Limited hold space; some items (e.g., large surfboards) may be refused.
Musical Instruments:
- Small instruments (≤55 x 40 x 23 cm) count as carry-on.
- Larger instruments: Check as baggage (within allowance) or book “My Leisure Equipment” (max 45 kg, ~25–85 EUR). Seat purchase required for cabin transport (max 80 kg, 135 x 50 x 30 cm). Notify 24 hours prior.
Pets:
- Cabin: Small cats/dogs/birds (max 8 kg including carrier, 55 x 40 x 20 cm for Boeing 787/737, 45 x 30 x 20 cm for others). Fee: ~350 PLN (~90 USD) + 75 PLN transaction fee (from Poland).
- Cargo hold: Larger pets (max 50–75 kg with carrier). Fee: ~600 PLN (~155 USD).
- Certified service animals: Free with 48-hour notice.
- Limited slots; book 48 hours in advance with health/vaccination documents.
Restricted/Prohibited Items
Cabin Restrictions:
- Liquids: Max 100 ml in a 1-liter zip-top bag.
- Prohibited: Sharp objects, firearms, e-cigarettes (carry-on only, no use), lithium batteries over 160 Wh.
- Food: Allowed (e.g., sandwiches), but check destination import rules (e.g., Australia bans fresh food).
Checked Baggage:
- Prohibited: Explosives, flammable substances, loose lithium batteries.
- Valuables (e.g., laptops, cameras): Carry-on recommended; LOT’s liability limited to 1288 SDR (~1700 USD) unless declared (fee applies, max 2x 1288 SDR).
Lithium Batteries: Removable batteries in carry-on only; non-removable in checked baggage limited to 0.3 g lithium metal or 2.7 Wh lithium-ion.
Additional Information
- Strict Enforcement: LOT enforces size/weight limits, especially for carry-on at gates (templates at counters). Economy Saver passengers often face fees for checked bags. Reddit users note occasional leniency on weight but strict dimension checks.
- Online Check-In: Opens 36 hours, closes 2 hours before departure. Airport check-in: 2–3 hours prior (U.S./Canada/China: 3 hours).
- Star Alliance Benefits: Extra allowances for Miles & More/Star Alliance Gold members; seamless transfers on Star Alliance flights.
- Warsaw Service: “Bag Delivery” service available for Warsaw Chopin Airport arrivals (delivery to Warsaw/suburbs).
Recommendations
- Check your fare type (e.g., Economy Saver vs. Standard) and route on lot.com for exact allowances.
- Pre-purchase checked baggage online (>12 hours before departure) to save up to 20%.
- Measure bags (carry-on: 55 x 40 x 23 cm; checked: 158 cm); use a luggage scale to avoid fees.
- Notify LOT 24–48 hours in advance for special baggage/pets/mobility aids.
- Arrive 2–3 hours early for check-in, especially with non-standard baggage.
- Consider shipping oversized items via services like Eurosender if exceeding LOT’s limits (e.g., >45 kg).
