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

On 31 May 2026, LOT Polish Airlines inaugurated direct flights between Warsaw and Almaty.

Route Details
- Launch date: 31 May 2026
- Aircraft: Boeing 737 MAX 8
- Flight time: ~6.5 hours to Almaty, ~7.5 hours return

Summer schedule:
- Warsaw → Almaty: Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun (10:40 PM)
- Almaty → Warsaw: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun (9:20 AM local)

Winter schedule:
- Warsaw → Almaty: Tue, Thu, Sat
- Almaty → Warsaw: Wed, Fri, Sun

Strategic Importance
- Expands LOT’s Central Asia network, strengthening Warsaw as a transfer hub for Europe and North America.
- Responds to growing demand for direct EU–Kazakhstan connections.
- Almaty remains Kazakhstan’s financial and business centre, despite the capital moving to Astana.

Destination Highlights
- Location: At the foot of the Tian Shan Mountains — unique blend of urban life and natural landscapes.
- Nature nearby: Charyn Canyon (“little Grand Canyon”), Big Almaty Lake, deserts, steppes, and mountain resorts within 200 km.
- Culture: Rich Silk Road heritage, nomadic traditions, equestrian culture, and Kazakh hospitality.

Surprises:
- Origin of modern apples (wild apple tree)
- Wild tulips of Central Asia
- Medeu high-altitude ice rink
- Kazakhstan’s role in space exploration

Airline Perspective
Robert Ludera, Chief Commercial Officer:
> “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 route is a smart move: it connects Europe directly to a city that’s both a business hub and a gateway to Central Asia’s landscapes and culture.