Company profile
LOT Cargo is the cargo brand of LOT Polish Airlines, the Polish flag carrier. The parent airline was founded in 1929 and is one of the oldest airlines in the world still operating under its original name, headquartered in Warsaw with its main hub at Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW). LOT Cargo runs alongside the passenger network, with IATA code LO, ICAO code LOT, radio callsign LOT, a cargo website at lot.com/cargo and a main site at lot.com. LOT Polish Airlines is a Star Alliance member, and the cargo network extends through alliance routes and the Warsaw hub to Central and Eastern Europe, North America and East Asia.
On fleet and capacity structure, LOT Cargo owns no freighters at present and its capacity is mainly passenger belly hold. The parent fleet is built on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the Boeing 737 MAX series and the Embraer E-Jet family, around ninety aircraft in total; long-haul widebodies fly intercontinental routes with belly holds that take ULDs and loose cargo. In the winter peak LOT has wet-leased Boeing 767-300F freighters from Canada's Cargojet to fly Warsaw to New York JFK, adding bulk and heavy capacity across the Atlantic. According to public sources, LOT suspended its plan to buy freighters of its own in 2026, so the capacity structure will remain passenger belly hold plus seasonal wet-leased freighters.
In China, LOT Polish Airlines used to fly a scheduled passenger service from Warsaw to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) with the Boeing 787, offering belly capacity about three times a week. From the winter 2024/25 season the route was suspended because of airspace restrictions related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and has stayed suspended since; direct passenger and belly capacity between China and Poland is now operated by Chinese carriers, and LOT has not restored scheduled direct belly service toward China. The LOT website still lists a seasonal Warsaw to Beijing schedule for April and May 2027 as a longer-term plan to resume. Cargo from China currently connects to Warsaw and its onward network through other European hubs or Central European gateways.
For Chinese shippers the core value of LOT Cargo is Warsaw's position as a distribution point for Central and Eastern Europe. Warsaw sits in the middle of Europe and is a natural gateway linking Western Europe, Northern Europe and the CEE region; cargo from China that reaches Warsaw in transit can be distributed quickly to Poland, Czechia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and the three Baltic states, and connects at Warsaw to transatlantic North American stations. With China-Europe rail and e-commerce trade with Europe both growing, the Warsaw hub gives time-sensitive Chinese exports to CEE an air option.
In two-way flows, outbound cargo is mainly Chinese consumer electronics, e-commerce parcels, textiles and apparel, auto parts and high-value industrial goods; return cargo is mainly food, furniture, machinery parts, amber products and high-value consumer goods from Poland and CEE. With direct flights currently suspended, both export and return movements toward China have to connect through a hub, and capacity and routing are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.
International air services connecting from China
LOT Cargo's network centres on Warsaw Chopin Airport and reaches out in three directions. Toward Central and Eastern Europe, cargo is distributed from Warsaw to destinations in Poland and to Prague, Budapest, Bucharest, Sofia, Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn and other CEE and Baltic cities, which makes Warsaw an important air gateway into the CEE market. Across the Atlantic, Warsaw connects to New York JFK, Newark (EWR), Toronto (YYZ) and other North American gateways, with seasonally wet-leased Boeing 767-300F freighters adding capacity in the peak. Toward East Asia, Warsaw connects to Tokyo, Seoul and other stations to form the Eurasia corridor.
By commodity, consumer electronics, e-commerce parcels and fast fashion suit the daily passenger belly schedule, transiting a European hub to Warsaw and then distributing into CEE; time-critical pharmaceuticals, fresh produce and high-value goods can use LOT's temperature-controlled and premium products; bulk industrial goods and heavy cargo can use seasonal wet-leased freighter capacity in the peak. With the Warsaw to Beijing nonstop currently suspended, cargo from China first reaches a European hub on a carrier from Western Europe, Northern Europe or the Middle East, then connects to LOT belly capacity for Warsaw and CEE points, so the whole movement is multi-sector.
On gateway choice, shippers in east China can use Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou and other gateways with transit at a European hub; shippers in south China and Hong Kong can use the wide European route choice from Hong Kong and Pearl River Delta airports; shippers in north China can enter the European network on Chinese carriers from Beijing, Xi'an and other gateways. Warsaw's position in CEE makes it a good fit for time-sensitive CEE orders, with destinations concentrated in the Visegrad countries and the Baltic states. Payload and capacity are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.
| Connection direction | Main destinations | What it means for Chinese shippers |
|---|---|---|
| CEE distribution | Warsaw WAW, extending to Prague, Budapest, Bucharest, Vilnius, Riga and others | Chinese cargo is distributed from Warsaw to CEE and Baltic markets on one waybill, from a central position with wide reach |
| Transatlantic extension | New York JFK, Newark EWR, Toronto YYZ | Connections at Warsaw to North American gateways, with seasonal wet-leased freighter capacity for bulk lots in the peak |
| East Asia round trip | Tokyo, Seoul and other stations | forming the Eurasia corridor and supporting two-way e-commerce and high-value flows |
| Backhaul cargo | food, furniture, machinery parts, amber products and high-value consumer goods from CEE | matched capacity in both directions serving China's import trade with CEE |
The table summarises the main directions from public sources. Times are local. Actual schedules vary with the season and are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.
The routing from China to Warsaw through a European hub
The diagram shows, from a Eurasian perspective, how cargo from China reaches Warsaw WAW through a European transit hub and is then distributed from Warsaw into CEE and North America. The gold arcs are the mainlines from Chinese gateways to the European hub and the white arcs are the directions radiating from Warsaw; with direct flights currently suspended, the China to Poland leg is made up of a Chinese carrier sector and a transit connection, and actual stations and frequency are subject to carrier confirmation on the day.
Freight advantages for Chinese shippers
Gateway position for CEE
Warsaw sits at the geographical centre of Europe and is a natural air gateway into Poland, Czechia, Hungary, Romania and the three Baltic states; cargo distributed from there covers the CEE hinterland quickly.
CEIV Pharma certification
LOT Cargo regained IATA CEIV Pharma certification for pharmaceutical cold chain in August 2026, which qualifies it to handle temperature-controlled cargo and suits Chinese pharmaceutical companies moving temperature-sensitive goods in transit.
Seasonal freighters in the peak
In the winter peak a wet-leased Boeing 767-300F flies Warsaw to New York, adding bulk and heavy capacity across the Atlantic and relieving tight belly space on passenger flights.
Star Alliance connections
LOT is a Star Alliance member, so cargo can connect within Europe on alliance routes; after transit at a European hub, cargo from China reaches more CEE stations through the alliance network.
Experience with perishables and live animals
LOT Cargo has experience with fresh produce, live animals and high-value cargo, so Chinese exports of fresh agricultural products, breeding livestock and high-value industrial goods can move under the appropriate procedures.
Two-way e-commerce flows
Chinese e-commerce parcels and consumer electronics outbound, CEE food and high-value consumer goods on the return, with matched flows supporting cross-border e-commerce trade with CEE and suiting low-volume frequent replenishment.
Taken together, these advantages give a Chinese shipper a complete route into the CEE market through Warsaw: the central location determines distribution efficiency, CEIV Pharma certification and perishable and live animal experience cover several cargo types, seasonal freighters relieve peak pressure, and the Star Alliance network reaches secondary stations. A shipper can choose the best path to Warsaw through a European hub after assessment by Goodhope Freight, based on the destination market and the cargo.
Aircraft types and capacity mix
LOT Cargo owns no freighters at present; capacity is mainly passenger belly hold with seasonal wet-leased freighters. The parent passenger fleet is built on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the Boeing 737 MAX series and the Embraer E-Jet family, around ninety aircraft. Long-haul intercontinental routes are flown by the 787, whose belly is large enough for ULDs and loose cargo; short and medium haul routes are flown by the 737 MAX and E-Jet, whose bellies suit small and medium lots for distribution within Europe. In the winter peak LOT wet-leases a Boeing 767-300F from Canada's Cargojet to fly Warsaw to New York JFK, adding bulk and heavy capacity across the Atlantic.
According to public sources, LOT suspended its plan to buy freighters of its own in 2026, and capacity will remain passenger belly hold plus seasonal wet-leased freighters. Belly loading is done in ULDs or as loose cargo, with piece weight and volume limited by the hold door and floor loading; overweight and irregular pieces must be declared in advance. Accurate pieces, weight and dimensions at the booking stage make the loading plan more certain. The ULD type is matched to the aircraft on the route and the equipment at the destination terminal, and the loading plan is confirmed by Goodhope Freight and the carrier according to the capacity of the day.
Boeing 787 Dreamliner
LOT's main long-haul type, with balanced fuel efficiency and belly payload, flying Warsaw to North America, East Asia and other long routes, where the belly gives high-value and time-critical cargo steady capacity.
Boeing 737 MAX series
Flown on European and short and medium haul routes, with a belly that suits daily distribution of small and medium general cargo and express parcels, supporting high-frequency connections from Warsaw to CEE points.
Embraer E-Jet family
A regional passenger fleet adding belly capacity on high-frequency short European routes, suited to small lots from the Warsaw hub to secondary cities.
Boeing 767-300F (wet-leased)
In the winter peak Cargojet flies the aircraft wet-leased on Warsaw to New York JFK, adding transatlantic bulk and heavy capacity. LOT does not own the type, and in 2026 it suspended its plan to buy freighters of its own.
Aircraft capacity figures are compiled from manufacturers' and airlines' public data. Actual payload is subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.
Airports served in China and schedule connections
Because of airspace restrictions related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, LOT Polish Airlines suspended its scheduled passenger belly service from Warsaw to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) from the winter 2024/25 season; the route had been flown about three times a week with the Boeing 787. Direct capacity between China and Poland is now operated by Chinese carriers and LOT has not restored scheduled direct belly service toward China, so cargo from China has to connect to Warsaw through another European hub. The table below shows reference routings from the main Chinese gateways, in local time; actual schedules vary by season and the carrier's confirmation on the day of booking applies.
| China origin ports | Connection path | Capacity type | Indicative schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing Capital PEK | Warsaw WAW (previously nonstop) | Passenger aircraft belly capacity | About three flights a week previously, suspended from the winter 2024/25 season; a seasonal resumption is planned for April and May 2027, subject to carrier confirmation |
| Shanghai Pudong PVG | transit via a Western European hub to Warsaw | Belly connections at the transit point | no public schedule for a direct service, so shipping through a European hub is advisable |
| Hong Kong HKG / Guangzhou CAN | transit via a European hub to Warsaw | Belly connections at the transit point | no public schedule for a direct service, so shipping through a hub gateway is advisable |
| second-tier cities in China | consolidate to a nonstop gateway, then transit | domestic consolidation | no public schedule is available; Goodhope Freight arranges it on the capacity of the day |
The airline has no publicly listed cargo office of its own in China; cargo capacity sales and booking run through its European hub sales network and local forwarders, with capacity and connections subject to our confirmation on the day of booking.
Cargo booking and connection path in China
Submit shipping instructions
The shipper gives Goodhope Freight the origin gateway, the destination city in CEE, the commodity, pieces, weight and dimensions and the transit time required, and we determine the best routing to Warsaw through a Western European hub.
Confirm space and rate
We book transit belly capacity through LOT's European hub sales network or its local forwarders, confirming the rate, ULD type and loading conditions, and arrange capacity on the China to hub sector.
Departure and transit connections
After handover at the Chinese gateway, cargo reaches the European transit hub on a carrier flight, connects to a LOT belly flight into Warsaw and is distributed to CEE destinations.
Backhaul booking
CEE food, furniture and high-value consumer goods can be booked back through Warsaw and the European transit channel to Chinese gateways, with temperature-controlled and perishable cargo handled under the appropriate procedures.
During booking, over-weight or oversize pieces, temperature-controlled cargo and sensitive goods must be declared in advance so that we can confirm the loading conditions and the ULD type needed. Flight times are local, actual schedules vary by season and the carrier's confirmation on the day of booking applies. Before booking we give the shipper a list of rates, capacity and transit connections, and after confirmation we complete the booking and shipping arrangement. Urgent cargo can be requested on priority capacity, subject to carrier approval.
Specialist freight services from China
Pharmaceutical cold chain, CEIV Pharma.LOT Cargo regained IATA CEIV Pharma certification in August 2026 and is qualified to handle temperature-controlled cargo throughout, which suits Chinese biopharmaceutical companies moving vaccines, reagents and active ingredients in transit through Warsaw, with the cold chain monitored by temperature range.
Fresh produce and perishables.LOT Cargo offers a Fresh product for perishable food trade between China and CEE. Chinese fresh produce can transit a European hub to Warsaw, and CEE food imports are declared to the inspection and quarantine requirements.
Live animal transport.LOT Cargo has experience with live animals, so Chinese exports of breeding livestock, pets and ornamental animals can transit Warsaw to CEE markets under the AV procedure, with loadability subject to carrier confirmation.
Security for high-value cargo.LOT Cargo runs a Safe product giving dedicated security and priority handling at the Warsaw hub for high-value cargo, which suits Chinese exports of jewellery, watches and electronics under the appropriate procedure.
Dangerous goods declaration.Exports involving dangerous goods, lithium batteries and magnetic cargo must be declared in advance under belly hold limits, with Goodhope Freight and the carrier jointly confirming loadability and packing, and the European sector handled to local terminal rules.
General cargo and e-commerce replenishment.On the daily passenger belly schedule, Chinese consumer electronics, e-commerce parcels and fast fashion can transit a European hub to Warsaw and be distributed into CEE, matching the low-volume, high-frequency rhythm of cross-border e-commerce replenishment.
Seasonal freighters in the peak.In the winter peak a wet-leased Boeing 767-300F flies the transatlantic route, adding capacity for bulk and heavy cargo, and Chinese exports of industrial goods in large lots can be planned on that capacity through a European transit point.
Transit consolidation and multi-point delivery.Cargo from the Yangtze River Delta, the Pearl River Delta and the Chengdu-Chongqing region can be consolidated domestically into a nonstop gateway, connected through a European hub to Warsaw and distributed to several CEE countries, which lowers the cost of delivering to multiple points.
China contact
LOT Cargo has no publicly listed cargo office of its own in China. With the Warsaw to Beijing nonstop suspended, its cargo capacity sales and booking toward China run mainly through its European hub sales network and local forwarders. The cargo website is lot.com/cargo, where shipment status and flight information can be checked; the seasonal resumption of Warsaw to Beijing follows the latest notice on the LOT website. Chinese shippers should contact its local agent in China, or ask Goodhope Freight to reach LOT's European sales channel for capacity and schedules.
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited (Goodhope Freight), website https://goodhope86.com, handles air freight from the main Chinese gateways to Poland and other CEE countries, providing gateway booking, transit at a European hub, distribution from Warsaw and return consolidation as one operation, and can help Chinese shippers reach LOT Cargo's European sales channel for current capacity and schedules.