yurtripper

It was bound to end up a zoo like Bolero eventually.

I enjoyed it in the two visits I had in its first week of operation. On both visits there was nobody else except me and someone fast asleep on a couch (maybe it was the same guy on both occasions? )

AlicorporateUK

Cześć T,

I'm assuming you mean February? Unless you wish to give us nearly a year's notice, which is fair enough

G

AlicorporateUK

I briefly flicked through the above referenced article and the outlook seems all but stellar. I (and surely not only myself) am under the impression that even a slight change [towards the plus] when it comes to fuel costs could mean serious trouble for the likes of LOT & SAS, which are also amongst the very few major carriers excluded from a joint-venture alliance (such as BA/AA/IB or AF/KL/DL/AZ but I'm sure everyone got the idea). We shall watch this space.

G

TPJ

Czesc G.

The question actually was about the last time I managed to get a bulkhead seat It was actually December 2018

N1003U

Yes, I suppose the Mazurek lounge was bound to be discovered sooner or later. I have been there maybe 4 times since its opening (last time a week ago), and each time it was a little bit more crowded. I agree Mazurek has become nearly as bad as Bolero, but maybe not quite, and I at least imagine that the catering and drink offerings are a bit better in Mazurek vs. Bolero. I think it does not help either non-Schengen lounge that so many long-haul flights seem to depart almost at the same time in the afternoon.

It's for me a bit of a shame the Mazurek lounge has so quickly become over crowded, as I enjoy the view of the ramp better than the view of business class check-in at Polonez.

My general pattern is arrival from FRA mid-day and then depart around 1600 (if there are no delays) on LO 003. IME, the (popular) ORD flights get protected well in terms of going off (reasonably) on-time. However, I like to have some buffer time on the feeder because, well, things happen.

This means I normally have a couple of hours in WAW. While the Polonez lounge is a totally acceptable place to wait, there is always the question: when do I head for passport control to get to the gate at the right time? I rarely have a problem with delays at passport control, but it only takes one bad experience to learn one's lesson about cutting it too close. So I usually leave Polonez about 30 minutes before boarding, and under normal circumstances, I have 20-30 minutes to hang out in the Non-Schengen area (assuming there are no flight delays). In that time I can a.) mingle with the masses crowding most corners of the boarding areas, where several flights board simultaneously (and often with nowhere to sit), b.) go to Duty Free and buy yet another bottle of Polish vodka, or c.) attempt to relax for a few minutes in Mazurek (and before that, Bolero). No really great choices, at least none I have discovered.

What are the experiences of others leaving Schengen in WAW near the early evening departure rush?

AlicorporateUK

AlicorporateUK

Lack

Hopefully, the new routes and frequencies will gain enough momentum to provide enough padding for a downturn.

AlicorporateUK

hugolover

Regarding the front row seating issue, I received a message from LOT on FB to say that these are now only for M&M Golds. They're not the best at communication, so at first I was told no information...and then told its M&M Gold only, but no confirmation it changed.

It's clearly the case it's only for M&M Gold,, but I am not convinced this was intentional on their part and the conclusions the customer facing staff have come to could just be a deduction on their part from bookings they have poked into. Or are we being unfair to them? With all their problems their focus was blocking Row 1 and 2 on domestic flights for SENs?

I'm inclined to think there was a software update to the ALTEA system and this is the consequence of it.

As a reminder in the past it was Y fare and all Golds. Y fare definitely makes a lot of sense for those continuing from WAW in Business Class to not have a crap seat for choosing LOT with a one class domestic cabin...

Does anyone have a good contact who could assist with this? Send me a PM. Or someone who speaks Polish could post on one of the Polish Forums (if there is no chatter already). I am surprised, with all of those A3*G in PL more pax haven't noticed it.

Hopefully later today I'll get some news from a Station Manager if they know anything.

AlicorporateUK

I would take that with the usual pinch of salt, it reminds me when they used to come up with similar statements regarding access to the 'elite' section at the Polonez in Warsaw. I genuinely don't think that the social media team would have even a slight clue about extra 'layers' on Altéa and the likes.

G

hugolover

iLied

Maniak

How is a LOT lounge in Krakow? Do they serve any real food? How does is compare to Polonez in Warsaw?

hugolover