Paris, June 17 - At the Paris Air Show 2025, held at Le Bourget Airport, LOT Polish Airlines, Poland’s national carrier, announced a landmark agreement with Airbus for the acquisition of up to 84 A220 aircraft, marking a significant shift in its fleet modernization strategy. The deal, signed on June 16, 2025, includes a firm order for 40 aircraft—20 A220-100s and 20 A220-300s—with an option to purchase an additional 44 A220s in the future. This order represents the first time LOT has selected Airbus aircraft, a departure from its long-standing reliance on Embraer for its regional fleet and Boeing for its mainline operations. The new A220s are set to begin joining LOT’s fleet in 2027, with deliveries expected to continue through 2031, and potentially into the mid-2030s if all options are exercised. The agreement is valued at up to $3.5 billion, according to industry analysts, and is one of the largest investments in LOT’s history.
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The decision to choose the Airbus A220 family over Embraer’s E2 jets, which were also under consideration, came after a competitive year-long evaluation process. LOT’s current regional fleet consists of 45 Embraer aircraft, including five E170s, 13 E175s, eight E190s, and 19 E195s, with an average operational age of 15 years. These aircraft serve a network of regional routes across Central and Eastern Europe, as well as longer routes to destinations like Athens and Istanbul. The A220s, designed for the 100- to 160-seat market, offer increased capacity, with the A220-100 accommodating 100 to 135 passengers and the A220-300 capable of carrying 120 to 160 passengers. Powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1500G geared turbofan engines, the A220 provides a range of up to 3,600 nautical miles (6,700 km), enabling LOT to expand its network by introducing new routes and serving destinations previously inaccessible to its current regional fleet. The aircraft also boasts a 50% reduction in noise footprint and up to 25% lower fuel consumption compared to previous-generation jets, aligning with LOT’s goals of improving efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
LOT’s leadership emphasized that the A220 selection was driven by economic and strategic considerations. The aircraft’s modern cabin design, featuring larger windows, wider seats, and increased luggage space, is expected to enhance passenger comfort and strengthen LOT’s competitive position in the European market. The A220s will progressively replace the airline’s aging Embraer fleet, supporting LOT’s ambition to grow its network and passenger numbers while preparing for its role as the primary operator at Poland’s planned Central Communication Port (CPK), a major new airport and transport hub expected to open by 2032. The CPK is projected to handle up to 34 million passengers annually, and LOT aims to leverage the A220’s capabilities to establish itself as a leading carrier in Central and Eastern Europe.
The agreement also marks a strategic pivot for LOT, which has historically operated an all-Boeing and Embraer fleet, including Boeing 737s and 787s for its mainline operations. The shift to Airbus introduces new operational challenges, such as the need for pilot retraining and the establishment of A220-specific maintenance infrastructure, as the airline’s current facilities are tailored to Embraer aircraft. However, the move is expected to yield significant benefits, including fuel savings, increased seat capacity, and improved passenger experience. By the end of May 2025, Airbus had secured over 900 firm orders for the A220 from more than 30 customers worldwide, with over 415 aircraft already delivered and operating on more than 1,600 routes across 470 destinations. LOT’s order reinforces the A220’s growing popularity in the regional jet market and signals a deepening partnership between Airbus and the Polish carrier, with potential implications for future collaborations in both civil and defense sectors.