From the Tian Shan Mountains to the steppes of Asia. LOT Polish Airlines launches flights to Almaty

01 June 2026

LOT Polish Airlines has inaugurated a direct connection between Warsaw and Almaty.
It is the second destination in Kazakhstan available in the national carrier’s regular flight network.
Flights will be operated four times per week in the summer and three times per week in the winter seasons, respectively.
With this new connection, LOT strengthens its presence in Central Asia and offers passengers from Kazakhstan convenient transfers in Warsaw.

On 31 May 2026, LOT Polish Airlines inaugurated direct flights between Warsaw and Almaty. For many travellers, this will be their first opportunity to discover Kazakhstan’s largest city – a modern metropolis nestled at the foot of the Tian Shan Mountains. For many years, the region remained outside the mainstream of European tourism, but is now increasingly attracting the attention of business and tourist travellers, as well as digital nomads.

LOT Polish Airlines materials

In the summer season, passengers will be able to enjoy LOT Polish Airlines flights to the former capital of Kazakhstan four times a week – on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, taking off from Warsaw at 10:40 PM. On the return leg, the national carrier will welcome passengers aboard its aircraft every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, departing for Warsaw at 9:20 AM local time. During the winter season, the route will be operated three times a week – on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, with return flights scheduled on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The flight to Almaty will take about 6.5 hours, while the return trip will be approximately one hour longer. Flights will be operated using Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

The launch of operations to Almaty confirms the continued expansion of LOT Polish Airlines’ route network and the growing importance of the Central Asian region in our offering. This part of the world is playing an increasingly important economic and business role, and the new route is a response to the growing demand for direct connections between Europe and Kazakhstan. Almaty is a city that perfectly reflects the modern spirit of the country – it is a dynamic destination that is open to new investment opportunities and international cooperation. Thanks to our transfer hub in Warsaw, we are able to provide our passengers arriving from Kazakhstan with convenient access to LOT Polish Airlines’ extensive flight network, covering Europe and North America.

Robert Ludera, Board Member, Chief Commercial Officer, LOT Polish Airlines

The heart of modern Central Asia

Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world, the largest economy in the region, and one of the European Union’s most important trading partners in this part of the globe. Despite the relocation of the capital to Astana, Almaty remains the country’s financial and business centre where major banks and numerous international companies are headquartered.

Thanks to a wide range of transfer flights offered in Warsaw, the new route will be available not only to passengers from Poland, but also to those departing many other cities in Europe and North America, thus enhancing the role of the LOT Polish Airlines hub in connecting both regions.

Surrounded by mountains, canyons, and steppes

Almaty’s strength lies not only in its economic importance, but also in its exceptional tourism potential. Few global metropolises can boast such a spectacular location. Almaty is nestled in southeastern Kazakhstan, at the foot of the Tian Shan Mountains, whose snow-capped peaks provide a remarkable backdrop for the city’s daily life. Within less than an hour from leaving bustling boulevards and cafes, one may enjoy mountain trails, resorts, and spectacular vista points located over 2,000 metres above sea level.

LOT Polish Airlines materials

At a distance of merely 200 km away from Almaty, one may admire almost all types of Central Asia’s landscapes – from deserts and endless steppes, to deep canyons and turquoise lakes surrounded by mountains. The region’s most famous natural wonders include also such wonders as the Charyn Canyon – often refereed to as the “little Grand Canyon”, and the Big Almaty Lake.

LOT Polish Airlines materials

Along the Great Silk Road

For centuries, trade routes connecting Europe and Asia and being part of the Great Silk Road, traversed through present-day Kazakhstan. Long caravans of merchants, travellers, and messengers moved along these routes, and the vast steppes served as a meeting point for diverse cultures and nations. The legacy of this era gone by remains alive today as well – etched in nomadic traditions, equestrian culture, and the renowned Kazakh hospitality. There is a saying that has existed in Kazakh tradition for centuries: each guest is a true blessing for the house they arrive at.

LOT Polish Airlines materials

Destination full of surprises

Although Kazakhstan is ever more boldly making its mark on the global tourism map, it remains an undiscovered destination for many travellers. This is precisely why it is capable of surprising more than many other popular destinations. The story of a wild apple tree, considered the main ancestor of modern apple varieties, from which the name of Almaty originates; the wild tulips of Central Asia – predecessors of varieties that later spread in Europe; the legendary high-altitude Medeu ice rink, or the country’s fascinating participation in the history of space exploration – these are just some of the tales to be discovered here. Central Asia still holds many secrets, histories, and traditions unknown to the general public, and Almaty serves as an excellent starting point for exploring this incredibly diverse region.

LOT Polish Airlines materials

Tickets for LOT Polish Airlines flights between Warsaw and Almaty are available through all sales channels, including lot.com, the carrier’s official mobile app, LOT Contact Center and LOT Travel agents.

Book your flight to Almaty

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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