LOT Polish Airlines introduces new Boeing 737 MAX 8 interiors
The new interiors entered service today, on January 2, 2026.
LOT Polish Airlines’ new Boeing 737 MAX 8 interiors have now entered service, with the first aircraft with the new seats having been delivered to the Polish carrier on December 22.
On January 2, 2026, LOT Polish Airlines will introduce new 737 MAX 8 interiors into service. The first aircraft, equipped with the new seats, departed Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) at around 11:50 local time (UTC +1), with the aircraft being scheduled to land at Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD) at 15:11 local time (UTC +0), according to Flightradar24.
In a statement on January 2, the airline said that the new interiors, “inspired by Poland’s natural landscapes,” will introduce significant passenger experience enhancements. The RECARO R2 seats have “a six-way adjustable headrest, a 60W USB-C port, a mobile device holder and a range of ergonomic features designed to ensure a high level of comfort, even on longer flights.”
Izabela Leszczyńska, the Director of Product Development and Customer Experience Department at LOT Polish Airlines, reiterated that the inspiration for the new cabins, as well as refurbished lounge spaces, was the landscapes of Poland.
“A colour palette of deep blues and warm amber accents creates a sense of calm, while the thoughtful use of light enhances comfort and relaxation.”
Photo: LOT Polish Airlines
Leszczyńska pointed out that the new interiors are not only an “aesthetic upgrade,” but are part of the airline’s “cohesive strategy aimed at delivering an exceptional passenger experience.”
Boeing delivered the first 737 MAX 8 with the new interiors on December 22, with the aircraft, registered as SP-LYA, flying from King County International Airport (BFI) to Reykjavik Keflavik International Airport (KEF), and finally landing at WAW on December 23.
The jet stayed in the Polish capital until it departed on its first commercial flight, LO 433, on January 2.
LOT Polish Airlines unveiled its new 737 MAX 8 interiors on July 24, saying at the time that it had received its first shipment of RECARO R2s, “which will be installed on both its Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Airbus A220 aircraft.”
Then, the Polish carrier added that the first shipment of seats would be fitted on one of the 13 newly arriving 737 MAX 8s, the first of which was scheduled to join its fleet “at the end of the year.”
“In total, LOT will take delivery of about 14,000 modern, ergonomic seats – all made in Poland, with passenger comfort as a top priority,” the airline stated, noting that its 787s “are also set for a comprehensive interior upgrade.”
LOT Polish Airlines currently has 19 737 MAX 8 aircraft in its fleet, 18 of which had been delivered before 2024, including an almost four-year gap between 2018 and 2022.
Rytis Beresnevicius
The Polish airline made a surprise order for the A220 during the Paris Airshow in June, placing a firm order for 20 A220-100 and 20 A220-300, with an additional 44 options potentially taking the Polish carrier’s A220 fleet to 84 aircraft.
At the time, Michał Fijoł, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of LOT Polish Airlines, said that the A220s will begin joining the airline’s fleet in 2027, opening up new opportunities for development and growth, which are “key pillars of our strategy.”
“These modern, efficient, and passenger-focused aircraft will allow us to compete effectively in the European skies, strengthen our position as the preferred carrier in Central and Eastern Europe, and prepare LOT for its role as a leading airline at the Central Communication Port.”
The order was surprising because the Polish airline already has a small subfleet of Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, as well as five E170, 14 E175, eight E190, and 15 E190s. In addition, LOT Polish Airlines was the launch customer of the E-jet family, having flown the first-ever E170 commercial flight on March 17, 2004.
Embraer was definitely not happy about losing out on the order, and in a statement after the airline’s announcement, said that “we are living in an exceptional moment where geopolitics play an important role,” according to Bloomberg.
Per AirInsight, Embraer also stated that it had believed that the E2 aircraft family was the best fit for LOT Polish Airlines “from an economic and sustainability point of view,” and that the E2 was 13% more efficient than its competition, and unlike the A220 aircraft family, would have perfectly complemented the airline’s 737 MAX 8 fleet.
“The commonality with LOT’s current fleet would save millions of Euros on the transition to a new aircraft type.”
At the end of Q3, LOT Polish Airlines had no E2 aircraft in its backlog, according to Embraer’s backlog update at the end of the period. Its three E195-E2s have been leased from Azorra, an agreement that was unveiled in May 2024. The Polish airline has not indicated any plans to add more E2s to its fleet in the coming years, at least for the time being.
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