A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to learn more about LOT Polish Airlines in a sit-down with the airline CEO, Sebastian Mikosz. The flagship carrier celebrated 40 years of service between New York JFK and Warsaw in April 2013. In celebration of the accomplishments — LOT also became the first European carrier to operate the Boeing 787 Dreamliner — the carrier is celebrating its heritage and looking to the future with a new slogan: The Future Is Our Horizon.

LOT’s new Dreamliner aircraft feature updated business and economy classes and introduce the airline’s premium-economy cabin. The sleek, first-rate aircraft coupled with changes at Warsaw Chopin Airport to refurbish runways and double capacity to make LOT the perfect choice for trans-Atlantic travel. Even if business takes you beyond Warsaw, consider the airline and the gateway, offering minimum connection times of 20 minutes.

With much buzz for the airline, I thought I’d share some other facts with you about LOT’s 40 years in New York. Enjoy!

• Due to the political situation in Poland in 1973, its launch of service to New York may be regarded as a breakthrough in relations between Poland and the West
• By September 2013, LOT broke its 2012 record of 104,300 passengers transported on the route
• LOT fills 88 percent of seats on this route, on average
• More than 40 percent of passengers on this route transit in Warsaw
• LOT operates the route seven times per week; frequency increases to 11 times during the summer season
• Ilyushin 62 was the first aircraft operated on the route to New York. Since 1988, the airline used a Boeing 767, retired in 2013.
• LOT’s flights to/from New York and Warsaw are numbered LO 006 and LO 007. According to tradition, flights out of Warsaw should be LO 001 and LO 002 from JFK. LOT changed the numbers due to the world’s most famous agent, James Bond. His eighth movie premiered in 1973 and took place in New York City.

Have you experienced the LOT 787 Dreamliner? How was the experience? Share your stories with us by emailing letters@globaltravelerusa.com.

— Kim Krol, managing editor