New Route of the Day (14 January 2026): LOT Polish Airlines between Gdansk and Istanbul IST
LOT Polish Airlines introduced flights between Gdansk and Istanbul IST on Wednesday 14 January. The 1,645-kilometre route will be maintained 4-weekly, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with the 737-familly fleet. The carrier faces no competition between the two cities.
Flight LO2301 departs Gdansk at 16:35 local time, arriving in Istanbul IST at 21:20 local time. The return service, operating as flight LO2302, takes off at 22:10 local time, touching back down in Poland at 23:00 local time.
What they said
Dorota Dmuchowska, Chief Operating Officer and Management Board Member at LOT Polish Airlines, said: “Opening our new route is a significant milestone in strengthening LOT Polish Airlines’ presence at Poland’s regional airports. Early next year, we will connect two vibrant hubs – the gateway to Pomerania and a metropolis uniting Europe and Asia – thereby creating new opportunities for business owners, investors, and tourists alike. Istanbul has proven highly popular among our passengers flying from Warsaw and Krakow, which is why I am certain that adding a convenient Gdansk connection will be warmly received by residents of northern Poland. I also trust that this route will lay the groundwork for a lasting partnership between LOT and Gdansk Airport, benefitting travellers and the entire region.”
Tomasz Kloskowski, President of Gdansk Airport, added: “The inauguration of a direct flight between Gdansk and Istanbul marks a landmark achievement for Gdansk Airport, built on years of exemplary cooperation with LOT Polish Airlines and excellent relations with Turkish Airlines. Istanbul is not only a captivating tourist destination but also a strategic hub for business, culture, and logistics, bridging Europe and Asia. This connection provides Gdansk with a gateway to the East and seamless access to Europe’s second-largest airport, which is also the world’s seventh-largest transfer hub. The new LOT service, in cooperation with Turkish Airlines, opens the Turkish carrier’s extensive global network to our passengers. This development significantly strengthens Gdansk’s position on the global map of transportation and business. I would like to thank all the dedicated individuals from Poland and Turkey whose efforts brought this project to fruition. Making this dream a reality is a proud moment we have long awaited.”
LOT serves Istanbul IST from three cities
Gdansk becomes the third city in Poland to be linked to Istanbul IST by LOT Polish Airlines. The Star Alliance member also maintains flights from Warsaw WAW and Krakow. Currently, it boasts 20-weekly flights from the Polish capital and a further 5-weekly from Krakow. The airline has 3,900 seats per week in each direction between Poland and Istanbul.
LOT is increasingly deploying aircraft outside Warsaw WAW, launching new point-to-point services, primarily from Gdansk and Krakow. This has allowed LOT to tap into strong local demand, reduce dependence on congested Warsaw infrastructure and compete more effectively with LCCs.
