Flew out of WAW on Saturday, although I was flying TATL, I decided to use the Schengen area under renovation lounge - which although unfinished offers a quiet area in the Gold/Sen section. Quiet and uncrowded. As I checked in I was advised that I was flying non-Schengen and ... at which point I clearly stated that I preferred this lounge and would depart in adequate time to go through passport control. I did not try the mains, except for the vegetables - and I was glad I did that as I ended up not partaking of the onboard menu. Apologies, but can't report on that.

I left 45 minutes prior to scheduled boarding and as I looked out the passport control area, I saw that three plane crews were entering, which was surprising. Automated passport control went quickly, despite the fact that the movable camera did not move, and only got my forehead, apparently, either the system read that or the fingerprint sufficed. I had 40 minutes to go, so I went to the non-Schengen Mazurek lounge, which was just as I remembered it - overcrowded, almost no empty chairs, food disappearing off the counters.

Boarding took place with a 5 minute delay, and since LOT decided to load two Dreamliner sized aircraft at the same time from two adjacent gates, you can imagine the chaos. Access to the HON/SEN/GOLD/Business entry was placed in such a way that one would need to fight through most of Economy Class to get there. In short I would say that I am surprised that people heading to JFK didn't end up on the CHI flight.

Flight was delayed by an hour. In light of that, I wonder if they could not have scheduled boarding for these flights with a 20 minute window between the two groups keeps racing through my mind.

In short, out of 4 flights, my JFK WAW flight was 3 hours late on departure, my WAW CDG flight (not a connection) was 2 hours late on a 2:20 travel time, and the return was an hour late on departure.

Crew in Business Class was mostly young and totally not prepared to deal with that Class of service. I woun't say unwilling, but in over their heads.

There was one PAX who clearly travelled frequently and he was clear in his disappointment. The stewardess who 'lucked out' with me told me how fortunate I was to have the seat I did, I did not try to explain that I knew the aircraft layout and selected that seat with premeditation.