LOT Polish Airlines was established 82 years ago - on January 1st, 1929. As one of the oldest airlines LOT has come a long way since its first aircraft, Junkers, designed with limited seating and a yearly carriage of several hundred passengers. In 1930 LOT Polish Airlines joined the International Air Transportation Association (IATA). In 1989 LOT became the first carrier in Eastern Europe to fly western-made Boeing 767. In 2003 LOT joined Star Alliance. A year later LOT was the first in the world to introduce ultramodern Embraer 170 aircraft. In 2010 LOT carried 4.50 million passengers, successfully competing with other airlines in respect of modern equipment, convenience of connections and the quality of service. Its emblem, a stylized crane, is recognized almost everywhere as the symbol of the Polish flag carrier.

LOT Polish Airlines S.A. is a joint stock company as a result of transforming on December 29th, 1992 the state owned company of the same name. Until the end of the year 1999 one hundred per cent of shares in the Company's capital were owned by the State Treasury. Through the Company's privatization in November 1999, the Swiss holding SAirGroup acquired part of LOT Polish Airlines shares. On October 30, 2001 the Council of Ministers took a decision on increasing LOT Polish Airlines' initial capital. A new issue of LOT Polish Airlines' shares was accepted in its entirety by the State Treasury, who in this manner became the owner of 67.97 per cent of the carrier's shares, while 25.1 per cent is owned by Regionalny Fundusz Gospodarczy S.A. - 25,1%, and the remaining 6.93 per cent is held by LOT's employees.

LOT has been a Star Alliance Member since October 2003.

Network and Fleet

At present, aircraft with LOT's livery fly to Europe, North America, Africa and Asia.

Modern fleet and developed network of connections comprising a majority of important cities in Western and Central and Eastern Europe and also USA and Canada are strong assets of LOT. LOT's current destinations network reaches 51 cities in Europe and beyond, plus 8 within Poland.

LOT currently operates a fleet of 5 Boeing 767-300s, 7 Boeing 737-400s, 2 Boeing 737-500s, 10 Embraer 170s (LOT was the launch carrier for this type), 14 Embraer 175s, 1 Embraer 195 (next two more expected in 2011) and 12 ATRs, offering two-class service (Economy and Business) on all international flights In 2012, LOT will start flying the latest generation of passenger aircraft - the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. LOT will be the first network carrier in Europe to fly Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The 787 will revolutionize the customer experience for LOT's passengers. They will enjoy an innovative new interior environment with higher humidity, wider seats and aisles, and larger windows, greatly improving the overall flying experience.

Awards

The high quality of services and professionalism of LOT's onboard personnel have been honoured a number of times.

In 1998 LOT for the first time became a laureate of the "Business Traveller" award for the Best Eastern European Airline. It received the same award in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

One of the biggest air travel website in Poland - Pasazer.com awarded LOT with the title of "Best Network Airline" in the years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. LOT's offer for business travellers has also been awarded.

LOT was also awarded in such areas like:

• OAG Airline Industry Award 2009 - recommended airline in Central and Easter Europe
• Platinum award of the IATA in June 2010 for implementation of a new passenger service system
• "Best Airline in Eastern Europe" 2008, 2009 and 2010 in the ranking of the magazine "Global Traveler"
• Warsaw Airport's Awards 2010 in categories: "New flight connection to Hanoi from Warsaw in 2010" and "The highest passengers' growth in 2010 at Warsaw Airport among traditional airlines"
• "Best Tradional Airline" in 2010 according to web site: www.lotniczapolska.pl
• "Awionetka" awards in the categories "Innovative Solution of the Year" and "Event of the Year" in 2010