LOT POLISH AIRLINES LAUNCHES DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM GDAŃSK TO ISTANBUL – THE CITY WHERE CONTINENTS MEET

27 June 2025

LOT Polish Airlines is introducing a new, attractive route for passengers from northern Poland as part of its expanding network.
The national carrier will launch direct flights from Gdańsk Airport to Istanbul, Turkey.
The inaugural flight is scheduled for 14 January 2026.
The Gdańsk–Istanbul (GDN–IST) route will be operated four times a week, offering travellers highly convenient departure times.

As part of its ongoing commitment to developing services at regional airports, LOT Polish Airlines is introducing a new route from Gdańsk to Istanbul. Travellers from northern Poland will be able to enjoy comfortable flights four times a week — on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Aircraft will depart from Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport at 16:35, with return flights leaving Istanbul at 22:10 local time. Passengers will spend approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes in the air. The first flight is scheduled for 14 January 2026.

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 Gdańsk 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 Gdańsk Airport, benefitting travellers and the entire region.

Dorota Dmuchowska, Chief Operating Officer and Management Board Member at LOT Polish Airlines

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The inauguration of a direct flight between Gdańsk and Istanbul marks a landmark achievement for Gdańsk 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 Gdańsk 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 Gdańsk’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.

Tomasz Kloskowski, President of Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport

Straight from the tales of the Arabian Nights

To think of Istanbul is to sense oriental flavours, the lively hum of multicultural streets, and a landscape brimming with contrasts. As the only metropolis in the world straddling two continents, Istanbul combines Asian aesthetics with European elegance, creating a breathtaking cityscape that captivates all who visit.

A true immersion in Istanbul begins at the legendary Grand Bazaar, sprawling over more than 30 hectares. Here, a symphony of vibrant colours and enchanting aromas mingles with the ceaseless rhythm of city life. Artisan stalls, souvenir shops, and traditional vendors abound, each sharing the unique stories and rich traditions that have shaped this ancient marketplace.

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Nearby, the Balat district dazzles as a visual banquet. Once home to thriving Jewish and Armenian communities, today its vibrant, rainbow-hued townhouses, winding alleys, and eclectic mix of cosy cafes, neighbourhood shops, and art galleries bring the past and present together. Here, true Istanbulian eclecticism reigns, and the city’s blend of cultures and continents comes to life.

Remarkable architectural wonders

Hagia Sophia – the greatest temple of the Byzantine Empire and an unequivocal marvel of its era’s architecture – has always been a place of profound significance for followers of various faiths. Also known as the Church of Holy Wisdom, this iconic structure captivates visitors with interiors adorned in shimmering mosaics, gold, and marble.

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Yet it is often the Blue Mosque – commissioned by Sultan Ahmed I when he was merely 19 – that is hailed as the world’s most beautiful mosque. Determined to build a monument that would even outshine Hagia Sophia, the young sultan created one of the last and most magnificent achievements of the ‘classical period’ of Turkish Islamic art. The mosque’s 21,000 tiles, adorned with striking blue patterns, inspired its renowned name.

Tickets for flights from Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport to Istanbul are available through all sales channels, including lot.com, the LOT Contact Centre, and LOT Travel offices.

Book your flight to Istanbul!

LOT Polish Airlines is a modern carrier connecting Central and Eastern Europe with the rest of the world. LOT’s offer includes direct long-haul flights to airports in the United States, Canada, India, Japan, and South Korea. The Polish carrier has been consistently increasing the number of its flights to those destinations, thus strengthening its position in Central and Eastern Europe. It operates its long haul flights with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, one of the most advanced wide-body aircraft in the world. Present in the sky since 1929, the Polish carrier is the 11th oldest airline worldwide and one of the most internationally recognisable Polish brands.

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