Connecting in Warsaw [WAW]
#136
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Europe
Programs: M&M mainly
Posts: 318
I'm happy to report I made a scheduled 30 minute connection (VNO-WAW-OTP).
- Arrived from VNO on a Eurolot.com DH4 one minute late. We parked at a remote stand. There was a dedicated bus for Business and Premium Economy, though I wasn't either. The rest of us got into another bus and were dumped in the Schengen Area
- I hustled to Passport Control which had a line of two dozen people for each agent but the agent just glanced at the BP, then stamped my passport.
- I was flying out of gate 13 which is about the longest possible walk, all the way at the end of the Non-Schengen gates. They were paging me by name when I ran up to the jetway.
- "Boarding Completed" was announced after I got on, we left on time.
Amazingly, my bag which had been tagged with "Short Connection" made it too!
- Arrived from VNO on a Eurolot.com DH4 one minute late. We parked at a remote stand. There was a dedicated bus for Business and Premium Economy, though I wasn't either. The rest of us got into another bus and were dumped in the Schengen Area
- I hustled to Passport Control which had a line of two dozen people for each agent but the agent just glanced at the BP, then stamped my passport.
- I was flying out of gate 13 which is about the longest possible walk, all the way at the end of the Non-Schengen gates. They were paging me by name when I ran up to the jetway.
- "Boarding Completed" was announced after I got on, we left on time.
Amazingly, my bag which had been tagged with "Short Connection" made it too!
#139
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SJJ/AMS
Posts: 4,649
G
#140
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
40 minutes? Now that's a LONG connection at WAW! A few months ago I managed to make a 29 minute connection (VNO-WAW-OTP) which included a bus gate and trip through customs. My bag even made it.
#141
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: TK*G (E+), IHG Plat Ambassador
Posts: 7,884
No - baggage will be through checked - you clear customs in KRK. In WAW you only clear immigration and go through secutity check. 40 minute connection might be a challenge if you do not have an EU passport.
#142
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 55
We have a 75 minute connection at WAW (if on time) from YYZ through WAW via LO42 onto BUD via LO535 and are wondering about the process and directions for transit. We have one checked bag and the ticketing is all LOT and all flights are LOT planes.
This thread indicates that 75 minutes should be more than enough time but as we are going from a non-Schengen country (Canada) through a Schengen country (Poland) to another Schengen country (Hungary) do we:
1. upon arrival at WAW go on the bus to passport control then
2. go to security check upstairs then
3. go to the gate for LO535?
This thread indicates that 75 minutes should be more than enough time but as we are going from a non-Schengen country (Canada) through a Schengen country (Poland) to another Schengen country (Hungary) do we:
1. upon arrival at WAW go on the bus to passport control then
2. go to security check upstairs then
3. go to the gate for LO535?
#143
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: TK*G (E+), IHG Plat Ambassador
Posts: 7,884
Unlikely - all LO widebody aircraft use jetways
No - security is on the same level where Immigration is - so Immigration first, then Security, if you are lounge access eligible passenger, LO lounge is just behind Security - fairly convenient for transit passengers
Yes - downstairs after security
PS> Everything is very simple in WAW - just follow the signs. There is a separate Security, if you are in transit to non-Schengen countries - don't use it - your Security is after Immigration.
No - security is on the same level where Immigration is - so Immigration first, then Security, if you are lounge access eligible passenger, LO lounge is just behind Security - fairly convenient for transit passengers
Yes - downstairs after security
PS> Everything is very simple in WAW - just follow the signs. There is a separate Security, if you are in transit to non-Schengen countries - don't use it - your Security is after Immigration.
#144
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GVA
Programs: BA Gold, LH FTL, KL/AF Ivory
Posts: 1,878
I've just done a GVA-WAW-PEK return in J. My first time in WAW for connections, so I thought I'd report. The outbound GVA-WAW ended up parked in an apron position, but J passengers had their own minibus, so we were in the terminal very quickly. A very quick passport check (no-one in front of me) and I was pretty much in the Bolero lounge within 10 minutes of landing.
The 787 Dreamliner service is excellent. The J cabin is small, so good service.
On the return back from PEK to WAW, passport was ultra-rapid, but the airport was let down by a rather slow security line. The staff seemed efficient enough but the 2 lines moved very slowly. The LOT business lounge in the Schengen area is "sad", the Bolero lounge in the non-Schengen area, much nicer.
The 787 Dreamliner service is excellent. The J cabin is small, so good service.
On the return back from PEK to WAW, passport was ultra-rapid, but the airport was let down by a rather slow security line. The staff seemed efficient enough but the 2 lines moved very slowly. The LOT business lounge in the Schengen area is "sad", the Bolero lounge in the non-Schengen area, much nicer.
#145
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,859
What do you mean by sad? The Polonez lounge (especially the lounge-in-lounge) is much better catered the Bolero. But they do lack openness and natural light though.
#146
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London,UK
Posts: 497
Hi,
Considering booking a short connection. LHR->WAW->KBP all on one PNR. LO282 on to LO753 with 45 min between. I remember WAW from years ago as being small, my real concern is that the LHR departure will be delayed as LHR departures often are. There is a PS departure 105 minutes later which is the last to KBP for the day. Would LOT re-accommodate on a non *A carrier in this case?
Considering booking a short connection. LHR->WAW->KBP all on one PNR. LO282 on to LO753 with 45 min between. I remember WAW from years ago as being small, my real concern is that the LHR departure will be delayed as LHR departures often are. There is a PS departure 105 minutes later which is the last to KBP for the day. Would LOT re-accommodate on a non *A carrier in this case?
#147
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 133
Hi,
Considering booking a short connection. LHR->WAW->KBP all on one PNR. LO282 on to LO753 with 45 min between. I remember WAW from years ago as being small, my real concern is that the LHR departure will be delayed as LHR departures often are. There is a PS departure 105 minutes later which is the last to KBP for the day. Would LOT re-accommodate on a non *A carrier in this case?
Considering booking a short connection. LHR->WAW->KBP all on one PNR. LO282 on to LO753 with 45 min between. I remember WAW from years ago as being small, my real concern is that the LHR departure will be delayed as LHR departures often are. There is a PS departure 105 minutes later which is the last to KBP for the day. Would LOT re-accommodate on a non *A carrier in this case?
#148
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold / OW Emerald
Posts: 142
I am worried my connection time is too short...
I have checked in luggage which I will have to collect and recheck in for the second flight...
First ticket ( British Airways)
London Heathrow > Warsaw - Arrive - Arrive 11.50 AM
Second ticket (LOT)
Warsaw > Wroclaw - Depart - 13.35 PM
Have I been too optimistic in being able to collect baggage and recheck in ?
I have checked in luggage which I will have to collect and recheck in for the second flight...
First ticket ( British Airways)
London Heathrow > Warsaw - Arrive - Arrive 11.50 AM
Second ticket (LOT)
Warsaw > Wroclaw - Depart - 13.35 PM
Have I been too optimistic in being able to collect baggage and recheck in ?
#149
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SJJ/AMS
Posts: 4,649
I am worried my connection time is too short...
I have checked in luggage which I will have to collect and recheck in for the second flight...
First ticket ( British Airways)
London Heathrow > Warsaw - Arrive - Arrive 11.50 AM
Second ticket (LOT)
Warsaw > Wroclaw - Depart - 13.35 PM
Have I been too optimistic in being able to collect baggage and recheck in ?
I have checked in luggage which I will have to collect and recheck in for the second flight...
First ticket ( British Airways)
London Heathrow > Warsaw - Arrive - Arrive 11.50 AM
Second ticket (LOT)
Warsaw > Wroclaw - Depart - 13.35 PM
Have I been too optimistic in being able to collect baggage and recheck in ?
I hope this helps.
G
Last edited by AlicorporateUK; Nov 4, 2016 at 7:25 am
#150
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: TK*G (E+), IHG Plat Ambassador
Posts: 7,884
While I fully agree with AlicorporateUK, plan B might also include checking Ryanair fares, when BA is late and you do not make your connection. FR now flies from WAW to WRO 3 times per day. I am not sure what their walk-in fares are or what the schedule is.