LOT Embraer 175 economy class

Originally published on businesstraveller.com 29/07/2010   RSS

First impressions I was flying between London and Beirut with LOT, with a connection in Warsaw (for a review of the London-Warsaw leg on a Boeing 737-500 aircraft click here). The service into Warsaw arrived at 2120, with flight LO145 to Beirut due to depart at 2230. I followed the signs for transit customers, and having passed through a quiet security check, I was at gate A26 by 2140.

LOT launched this three-times weekly service between Warsaw and Beirut in June 2010, with flights on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday

Boarding The gate was very quiet when I arrived, and the board confirmed a 2230 departure. However at 2220 there was an announcement saying that the flight would be delayed until 2330 – I couldn't quite make out the reason, but it was something to do with waiting for a group of passengers, which would explain why there were very few of us at the gate. We started to board at 2310, and took off just after 2330.

The seat This Embraer 175 aircraft is configured 2-2 throughout, with two rows of business class at the front. The seat felt relatively new, and was 18 inches in width, with a pitch of 31 inches and a recline of eight degrees, and there are adjustable headrests. For a seatplans of this aircraft, click here.

Where to sit? I had checked in for both legs of this connecting flight online, and had chosen seat 4B, in the front row of the economy class cabin, in order to be among the first off the plane. There's not a great deal to choose from on a small plane like this, so it's down to a preference of window or aisle seat, and whether or not you want to be close to the toilets. The economy section runs from rows 3-21.

The flight Soon after take off we were offered a cleansing wipe, followed by drinks, and then a meal consisting of cold meats (no pork, as advised by a card with a pig crossed through), as well as pickled mushrooms, lettuce, bread, butter and soft cheese, and a chocolate wafer biscuit. A crew member also came round offering rolls. 

Arrival The flight was smooth and uneventful, and we caught up a bit of time, landing at 0340, around 45 minutes late. We disembarked within minutes of touching down, and there were half a dozen immigration queues open, so I was landside by 0400. For those staying in the city's high-end hotels including the Four Seasons, Rotana or Intercontinental properties, there are desks just as you come through to arrivals, where you can pick up your airport transfers. The downtown area of Beirut is around 15 minutes drive from the airport.

Verdict Aside from the delay this was a smooth flight with attentive crew. The aircraft is smaller than the B737 on the London-Warsaw leg, but still adequate for the length of flight, and it was good to have a more substantial meal than the roll and chocolate bar offered on the London-Warsaw flight.

Contact lot.com

Mark Caswell