Flight Delayed LOT Polish Airlines: What to Do & How to Claim Compensation

Nobody likes waiting around at the airport, but it happens to the best of us. If you had a flight delayed with LOT Polish Airlines, it’s totally normal to feel frustrated or stuck. The good news? European passenger rights are on your side! LOT is a reputable airline, but even they can run into issues that cause delays. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what to do when you're facing a delay, what compensation or refunds you might be entitled to (thanks to laws like EC261/2004), and how to make the whole claim process easy – especially with a little help from the team at Trouble Flight.

About LOT Polish Airlines

LOT Polish Airlines is the national flag carrier of Poland and one of the oldest airlines still operating in the world (established way back in 1928!). As a key player in European air travel and a member of the Star Alliance, LOT connects Poland and Central/Eastern Europe with over 100 destinations across Europe, Asia, and North America. In other words, if you’re flying around Europe or beyond, there’s a good chance you might hop on a LOT flight at some point.

LOT has a solid reputation for service and a relatively good on-time record, but like any airline, it isn’t immune to delays caused by things like weather, technical glitches, or the ripple effect of busy air traffic. So if you experience a LOT flight delay, know that you’re not alone – and importantly, you have rights and options when it happens.

Know Your Passenger Rights (EC261 and Montreal Convention)

When your flight is delayed, it’s not just “too bad, so sad.” There are strong passenger-rights laws to protect you, especially in Europe. The two big names to know are EU Regulation EC261/2004 and the Montreal Convention. Don’t worry about the legalese – we’ll break down what they mean for you in plain language.

EC261/2004: The EU Rule That Has Your Back

EC261/2004 (often just called EC261) is a European Union regulation that gives air passengers the right to compensation and assistance when flights are delayed, canceled, or overbooked. Since LOT Polish Airlines is an EU-based airline, EC261 applies to all LOT flights that either depart from any EU airport or arrive at an EU airport (since LOT is an EU carrier). Here’s what EC261 means for you in a delay situation:

• Cash Compensation: If your LOT flight arrives at your final destination 3 hours or more late, and the delay was within the airline’s control, you could be owed compensation. The amount is fixed based on the flight distance, not the ticket price. Typically it’s €250, €400, or €600 per passenger. (Shorter flights get €250, longer flights up to €600.) For example, a delayed flight from Warsaw to London might get €250, while a long-haul delayed flight from Warsaw to New York could net €600. This is essentially “sorry money” from the airline for wasting your time.

• Extraordinary Circumstances: Airlines don’t have to pay compensation if the delay wasn’t their fault – things like severe weather, air traffic control restrictions, security issues, or strikes by airport staff are considered “extraordinary circumstances.” So if a freak snowstorm shuts down Warsaw airport, LOT won’t owe you compensation under EC261 (because let’s face it, they can’t control the weather!). But if it’s a maintenance issue or a crew scheduling mix-up – those are usually within the airline’s control, and EC261 compensation would apply.

• Right to Care: EC261 isn’t just about money later – it also requires airlines to take care of you during a delay. This means if you’re stuck waiting, the airline should provide you with meals and refreshments, and even hotel accommodation and transport to the hotel if you’re stranded overnight. The rule of thumb: after a few hours of delay (typically 2+ hours for short flights, 3+ for longer flights), LOT should be handing out meal vouchers or arranging snacks. If the delay drags into an overnight stay, they should set you up with a hotel free of charge. Always ask the airline staff about these provisions – they sometimes won’t volunteer the info unless you ask!

• Delayed Flight Refund: If your delay is extremely long, EU rules give you an option to throw in the towel on the trip. Specifically, if a flight is delayed by 5 hours or more, you have the right to request a full refund of your ticket instead of flying, and a free flight back to your original point of departure if you’re stuck in a connecting city. So, say your LOT flight from London to Warsaw is delayed 6 hours and you decide not to travel – you can ask LOT for a full ticket refund (and a way back home if you were in transit). This is often called a delay refund. Keep in mind, if you take the refund, the airline doesn’t have to transport you onward – you’re essentially canceling your trip. Also, taking a refund means you won’t get the additional compensation under EC261, since that compensation is for when you actually take the delayed flight and arrive late. It’s usually one or the other: refund or take the flight and claim compensation, depending on what works best for you.

• Missed Connections Count: If your journey involves a connecting flight (or two) and a delay on one LOT flight causes you to miss a connection, EC261 still covers you for the overall delay to your final destination. For example, imagine you’re flying from Paris to Beijing with a connection in Warsaw. If your Paris–Warsaw leg is late and you miss the Warsaw–Beijing flight, you might arrive in Beijing 5 hours later than planned. That 5-hour delay at arrival is what counts for compensation. LOT should also put you on the next available flight to Beijing at no extra cost to you. A missed connection with LOT can be stressful, but just know that from a rights perspective, it’s treated like a continuous delay to your final stop. So don’t forget to claim if you arrive 3+ hours late in the end, even if the initial delay was shorter – it’s the total delay to your destination that matters.

The Montreal Convention: International Backup Plan

Apart from EC261, there’s also an international treaty called the Montreal Convention. This applies to most international flights worldwide (it’s not EU-specific) and covers things like delays, luggage problems, and other mishaps. If you’re flying with LOT Polish Airlines, EC261 is going to be your primary shield (because EC261 is generally more generous for delays). But the Montreal Convention is like a backup plan, especially in situations that EC261 might not cover.

Under the Montreal Convention, if you suffer a financial loss due to a flight delay (for instance, you missed an important meeting, lost a hotel booking, or had other expenses because of the delay), you can claim compensation for those provable damages up to a certain limit. The catch is you’ll usually have to show receipts or evidence of what you spent or lost due to the delay. It’s not a flat payout like EC261; it’s more about reimbursing costs incurred.

For example, if a long delay caused you to pay for an extra night in a hotel or miss a prepaid tour, you could file a claim under the Montreal Convention to get that money back. The maximum liability for delays under Montreal is a bit over €5,000 (it’s calculated in a special currency called SDRs), so it’s quite generous but again, you need to document your losses.

The good news for LOT passengers is that since LOT is an EU airline, almost all delay situations that fall under Montreal are also covered by EC261 – and EC261 is usually easier to claim because you don’t have to prove individual damages. However, Montreal Convention rights can be useful if, say, your flight delay is due to extraordinary circumstances (so EC261 compensation doesn’t apply) but you still ended up spending money out of pocket. In that case, you might not get the EC261 lump sum, but you could claim reimbursement for your expenses via Montreal Convention rules. It’s a bit complex, but services like Trouble Flight are aware of both laws and will use whatever is most favorable for you.

In short: EC261 is the go-to law for flight delays with LOT in the EU, giving you fixed compensation and care. Montreal is an extra layer of protection for other losses, especially relevant for international travel or special situations. Either way, you’ve got some safety net when flights go wrong!

Compensation and Refunds for LOT Flight Delays: How It Works

So, what do you actually get when your LOT flight is delayed and it qualifies under these rules? Let’s break down the practical outcomes: compensation and refunds.

Compensation (Show Me the Money): If your situation meets the EC261 criteria (3+ hour late arrival, airline’s fault, etc.), you can claim that €250–€600 per person compensation. It doesn’t matter if you paid €50 for a cheap seat or €500 for business class – the compensation is based on distance and inconvenience, not your ticket price. To clarify the typical compensation amounts per passenger:

• €250 for short flights (under 1,500 km, roughly).

• €400 for medium flights (about 1,500–3,500 km, or intra-EU longer flights).

• €600 for long-haul flights (over 3,500 km, e.g., intercontinental flights).

These amounts are set by law. In some cases (very long routes with just a 3-4 hour delay), the airline might legally be allowed to pay half of the €600 (so €300) – but in most “classic” delay scenarios of 3+ hours, you’ll get one of those full amounts above. This is your right – not a favor from the airline. Don’t let vague excuses or apologies be the end of it; if you’re eligible, you should claim it. It’s basically compensation for your lost time and inconvenience.

Refunds (When You Can’t Stand Waiting Anymore): The delayed flight refund scenario comes into play mainly if your delay is super long or the flight is effectively not happening in a reasonable timeframe. As mentioned, at a 5+ hour delay, you have the right to say “No thanks” to the trip and get your money back for the ticket. Sometimes a flight might be so delayed it’s practically a next-day situation, or you’ve missed the event you were traveling for – a refund is the escape hatch. LOT Polish Airlines should offer this to you when a big delay hits, but you can also proactively ask: “My flight’s been delayed X hours, I no longer want to travel – can I get a refund instead?” They should process it without a penalty, because EU law requires it in long delay cases. And if you’re midway (like connecting through Warsaw and your onward flight is massively delayed), they must also fly you back to where you started, at no cost, if you choose not to continue.

It’s worth noting that compensation and refund are separate. You typically won’t get both. If you opt for a refund and don’t take the flight, you won’t get the additional € compensation because you didn’t actually go delayed to the destination (you bailed instead). On the flip side, if you take the flight and claim compensation for the delay, you obviously don’t also get a ticket refund because you used the ticket. One exception: if your flight is ultimately canceled after a long delay and you choose the refund, in some cases you might also still claim compensation for the inconvenience of the cancellation. But that gets into technicalities – the main idea is decide what’s better for you in the moment: cash in hand (refund) now, or compensation later for putting up with the delay.

Missed Connections and Reroutes: As we touched on earlier, if your LOT itinerary has a connection, the airline will usually try to reroute you if you miss the original connection. LOT, being in Star Alliance, might put you on one of their own later flights or even on a partner airline if necessary to get you home. Always go to the airline’s service desk as soon as you know you’re going to miss your connection (or if it’s already missed) – they’ll work on finding an alternative. This could mean taking a different route or even flying into a nearby airport. For instance, if your LOT flight to Warsaw is delayed and you miss a connection to Prague, they might find you a seat on a direct flight to Prague later, or maybe route you through another city like Vienna with a partner airline. Be open to suggestions – if it gets you there sooner, it’s worth considering an alternate route. Just make sure any alternative is given by the airline or approved by them, so it’s at no extra cost to you.

From a compensation standpoint, if you take an alternate flight and still arrive late (3+ hours later than your original schedule), you can still claim under EC261. LOT might have fulfilled their duty by rebooking you, but that doesn’t erase the delay’s impact on you. So don’t let them tell you otherwise – you can still get that €250-600 for the inconvenience if your final arrival was delayed enough.

Extraordinary Circumstances Reminder: If LOT can prove the delay was due to something truly beyond their control (those extraordinary circumstances), you won’t get the EU comp. But you might still get a refund (if the delay/cancellation is long enough) and you still must get care (meals, hotel, etc.). Plus, as mentioned, you could potentially claim under the Montreal Convention for expenses. So even in a no-compensation scenario, don’t assume you’re out of options – you can at least minimize the damage.

Okay, so you’ve been delayed, you know what you’re entitled to. Next question: what should you actually do at the airport during the delay? Let’s cover that.

Smart Tips for When You’re Stuck in a Delay

A flight delay can leave you bored, annoyed, and unsure of what comes next. Here are some friendly tips to make the best of a bad situation and set yourself up for a successful compensation claim later:

• Stay Informed: Knowledge is power. Keep an eye on the flight boards and your mobile notifications (the LOT mobile app or airport apps can be handy). Talk to the LOT Polish Airlines ground staff and ask for updates. It’s okay to politely press them for info on why the flight is delayed – you want to know the cause (weather? technical fault? crew issues?) because this could be relevant to your rights. Also, ask if they have an estimated departure time. Sometimes airlines might quietly reschedule the flight to later – knowing the plan helps you decide your next steps.

• Get Confirmation in Writing: It’s a smart move to ask the airline for a confirmation of the delay in writing. Many airlines, including LOT, can provide a letter or email stating that your flight was delayed and by how much, plus the basic reason. This can be super useful evidence when you file a compensation claim. If they’re not providing one on the spot, at least jot down details yourself: flight number, scheduled departure/arrival, actual departure/arrival, and cause of delay as told to you. Save your boarding pass and e-ticket – basically, keep all travel docs. They’ll serve as proof that you were on the delayed flight.

• Know Your Rights (and Mention Them): Airlines should inform you of your rights during a long delay (you might hear announcements or get a pamphlet about EC261). If they don’t, don’t be shy about bringing it up yourself. For instance, you can say, “Under EU rules, aren’t we supposed to get meal vouchers?” This lets the staff know that you’re aware of EC261. It often prompts them to be more forthcoming with assistance because they realize you know what you’re entitled to.

• Ask for Meals/Refreshments: If you’ve been waiting a couple of hours, go ask the airline desk about meal vouchers. LOT typically issues vouchers for use at airport restaurants when delays stretch on. It might be a set amount (e.g., €10 or €15) depending on the delay length. It won’t cover a steak dinner, but hey, it’s better than nothing and by law they should provide it. Stay hydrated and fed – on the airline’s dime, not your own, if possible.

• Accommodation for Overnight Delays: If things are looking so delayed that you’ll be stuck overnight, don’t sleep on an airport bench unless you want to – the airline should offer you a hotel. LOT can arrange hotel rooms nearby plus transportation to the hotel and back. Sometimes they’ll announce this, but if it’s chaos, be proactive: go to the customer service desk and ask about accommodation. Remember, this is part of the “right to care” under EC261. If for some reason they can’t arrange a hotel (say all hotels are booked out due to a big event or many flight cancellations), ask them to put in writing that you can book your own and will be reimbursed. Keep all receipts if you end up paying yourself.

• Keep Your Receipts: This is important. If the airline doesn’t provide you things and you end up spending your own money during the delay (meals, hotel, taxi between airport and hotel, even phone calls), save every receipt. You can claim these expenses back later from the airline. There’s no reason you should be out-of-pocket for essentials when the delay is their responsibility. Just don’t go overboard – they’ll reimburse reasonable expenses (a sandwich and drink, yes; a champagne and caviar feast, probably not!). When in doubt, keep the receipt.

• Be Polite but Persistent: It’s frustrating to wait, but keep in mind the gate agents and support staff are not usually the ones who caused the delay – they’re there to help. Being polite and friendly can actually get you better service. That said, don’t hesitate to ask for what you’re entitled to (food, hotel, info, rebooking) and ask for updates regularly. If you’re too quiet, you might literally be forgotten.

• Explore Alternative Options: Here’s where a little proactiveness can save you time. Check if there are other flights or routes that could get you to your destination sooner. Since LOT is in Star Alliance, they have partners all over. Maybe your LOT flight from City A to City B is delayed 5 hours, but there’s another Star Alliance flight (say on Lufthansa or SAS) that could take you? Or maybe a flight from a nearby airport. You can suggest this to the airline: “Is there a chance to be rebooked on [partner airline]/[different route]?” Sometimes they can switch you to another airline or via a different hub if it gets you in earlier than waiting for the delayed flight. For example, if your LOT flight from Warsaw to London is delayed for the evening, perhaps they can put you on an earlier flight to London via Frankfurt with Lufthansa. It doesn’t always work, but it never hurts to ask. The goal for the airline is to get you to your destination as soon as possible when there’s a long delay – even if it means paying another airline to take you. This is especially worth considering if you have somewhere important to be.

• Don’t Voluntarily Cancel (Unless It’s Best for You): If you have urgent obligations and the delay is ruinous to your plans, you might take the refund and make alternate plans on your own (like booking a new flight or taking a train, etc.). Just remember, once you take a refund or cancel, the airline’s duty to care usually stops (they might not provide further meals or hotels once you’re no longer their passenger). And you won’t be entitled to the EU comp if you didn’t complete the journey. So weigh this option carefully. It can be the right call in some cases, but make sure you have a solid plan B to get where you need to. And if you do book another flight yourself, try to get the airline to agree to reimburse it (this is tricky – usually only if they offered and failed to rebook you appropriately). Always ask the LOT rep: “If I book myself on another flight, will you cover it?” Get a clear answer or authorization, otherwise reimbursement later isn’t guaranteed.

By following these tips, you’ll be in a good position both to endure the delay at the moment and to strengthen your case for compensation or reimbursement later. Now, let’s talk about actually claiming that compensation – the part where you (hopefully) get paid for the inconvenience.

How to Claim Compensation from LOT Polish Airlines (the Easy Way)

After the dust has settled and you’ve finally reached your destination (perhaps tired, but at least safe), it’s time to claim what’s yours. You essentially have two ways to claim compensation for a delayed LOT flight:

1. Do it Yourself: You can contact LOT Polish Airlines directly to file a claim. This usually involves filling out a form on their website or sending an email to their customer relations department with your flight details, delay info, and asking for compensation under EC261. If you go this route, be prepared to possibly wait several weeks for a reply. You might need to nudge them with follow-ups. Some airlines try to push back, deny responsibility, or offer excuses to avoid paying (not saying LOT will, but many do). If they refuse or ignore you, you’d then have to escalate – maybe through a national enforcement body or even court. It can be a bit of a headache, especially if you’re not familiar with the legal details.

2. Let Trouble Flight Handle It: The simpler option (and stress-free, to be honest) is to use a specialized service like Trouble Flight to claim on your behalf. If you’re not keen on paperwork or arguing with airlines, this is a godsend. Trouble Flight is a company that helps passengers claim compensation and refunds, and they’re experienced with EC261 cases, including LOT Polish Airlines compensation claims. You basically hand over the task to them, and they do the heavy lifting.

Using Trouble Flight is super straightforward and risk-free for you, because it’s a no-win, no-fee service. Here’s how it typically works:

• Step 1: Check Your Flight for Free – Start by using Trouble Flight’s Compensation Calculator on their website. You enter your flight number, date, and a few details about what happened (e.g., “flight delayed 4 hours due to technical problem”). The calculator will instantly tell you if your flight is likely eligible under EC261 and an estimate of how much compensation you could get (like €250, €400, or €600). This is a quick and free step – no commitment required. It’s a nice way to confirm that you indeed have a case before proceeding.

• Step 2: Submit Your Claim – If the result looks good, you can go ahead and let Trouble Flight handle the claim. You’ll need to provide some more info (your booking reference, maybe copies of your tickets/boarding passes, ID, etc. – whatever they need to prove you were on that flight and it was delayed). Don’t worry, they guide you through it. Once you’ve given them the green light, you can kick back and relax.

• Step 3: They Fight for You – The team at Trouble Flight will contact LOT Polish Airlines on your behalf and pursue the compensation. They know the right contacts and the legal wording to cut through any nonsense. If the airline tries to wiggle out of paying by citing extraordinary circumstances or other reasons, Trouble Flight will verify those claims and push back if they’re not valid. Basically, you have an experienced advocate in your corner, which is great because airlines take claim requests from legal firms more seriously (they know these guys mean business and won’t be easily brushed off).

• Step 4: Get Paid – If/when the claim is successful, the compensation money will be collected from LOT and then sent to you, typically through a bank transfer. Trouble Flight deducts their fee from the amount at this stage. The standard fee is 25% of the compensation plus VAT. (VAT is a tax, but the bottom line is roughly 30% of the payout goes to them for their service, and you get the other ~70%.) For example, if you were awarded €400, their fee would be €100 + VAT (so around €123 total, depending on VAT rate), and you’d get the rest. Importantly, you pay nothing upfront and nothing at all if the claim isn’t successful. That’s the no-win, no-fee promise – if for some reason they can’t get you compensation, you owe them €0. This makes it a low-risk option.

• Legal Action if Needed – Most of the time, airlines will pay up once a claim company like Trouble Flight gets involved and the case is clearly valid. But once in a while, the airline might refuse or not respond, and the case needs to go to court. If that happens, Trouble Flight can take legal action on your behalf (you typically won’t need to do anything, they handle lawyers and filings). Because going to court is extra work and costs, the fee for legal action cases is higher – 50% of the compensation (including VAT). That might sound like a lot, but remember, if the case has to go that far, without a service like this you might not pursue it at all due to complexity. And even at 50%, you’re still getting half of something rather than 100% of nothing. Also, Trouble Flight will only go to court if they believe the case is strong – they’re not going to waste time if they think they’d lose. If they do win in court, you get your portion (50%) and they take the other half to cover legal fees and their commission. If they lose, again you pay nothing. And to be clear, they only charge the legal fee if the case required legal action and was won; otherwise, it stays at 25%+VAT if it was resolved without a lawsuit.

• Step 5: Enjoy Your Compensation – That’s it! You get your money and hopefully treat yourself to something nice that takes the sting out of that long airport delay you endured. Many people use compensation to fund their next trip, which is a neat way to turn the experience around.

Throughout this process, you don’t really have to do much after submitting your info. Trouble Flight will keep you updated on the claim status. It can take a bit of time – sometimes a few weeks or a couple of months – because airlines don’t always hurry. But the key is, you’re not spending your time on it, they are.

One more thing: It’s generally a good idea to claim as soon as you can after your disrupted flight. While EC261 gives you a decent window to claim (in Poland, the limitation period for such claims is a couple of years), the fresher the case, the better. Details are clearer, and it’s easier to get evidence if needed. Plus, why wait to get money you’re owed?

Turning a Delay into a Win

A delayed LOT Polish Airlines flight can throw a wrench in your travel plans, but it doesn’t have to be a total loss. You now know that as an EU air passenger, you have solid rights and protections. Instead of just sighing and moving on, you can take action and get compensated for the hassle you went through. Too many travelers in the EU miss out on compensation simply because they don’t know about it or think it’s too hard to get. But with regulations like EC261 in place – and companies like Trouble Flight ready to help – claiming what you’re owed has never been easier.

So the next time you find yourself facing a frustrating delay with LOT Polish Airlines (or any airline, for that matter), remember this guide. Stay calm, follow the smart tips to take care of yourself during the delay, and keep in mind that you could very well get money back for your trouble. Whether you choose to handle the claim on your own or let Trouble Flight do the heavy lifting, the important thing is not to leave that compensation on the table.

Your time matters, your travel plans matter, and the law recognizes that. In the end, getting up to €600 per person won’t erase the delay, but it sure can soften the blow. It’s basically the universe (or well, the EU lawmakers) saying, “We’ve got your back.”

Delayed flights happen, even with reliable airlines like LOT. But now you’re equipped to handle them like a pro. Safe travels, and may your future flights be delay-free – but if not, you know what to do! Enjoy your next journey, and if you ever run into trouble in the sky, you know Trouble Flight is here to help turn things around.