LOT Polish Airlines Returns to Vietnam: Direct Warsaw-Hanoi Flights from March 2027
It is the news long-haul travellers across Central and Eastern Europe have waited more than a decade to hear: LOT Polish Airlines is bringing back direct flights to Vietnam. Poland’s flag carrier is set to relaunch non-stop service between Warsaw Chopin (WAW) and Hanoi Noi Bai (HAN) from 31 March 2027, operating three times a week year-round with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Here is everything announced so far.
Warsaw-Hanoi at a glance
- Airline: LOT Polish Airlines
- Route: Warsaw Chopin (WAW) → Hanoi Noi Bai (HAN)
- Expected launch: 31 March 2027, with the start of the Summer 2027 schedule
- Frequency: 3x weekly, year-round
- Aircraft: Boeing 787 Dreamliner
- Last operated: LOT previously flew Warsaw-Hanoi between 2010 and 2012
Route details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| From | Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW), Poland |
| To | Hanoi Noi Bai International (HAN), Vietnam |
| Launch date | 31 March 2027 (expected) |
| Frequency | 3 flights per week |
| Season | Year-round |
| Aircraft | Boeing 787 Dreamliner |
Why Hanoi, and why now?
LOT operated Warsaw-Hanoi once before, but the route economics of the early 2010s did not support it and the service was dropped. More than a decade on, three things have changed:
- Surging demand for Southeast Asia. Appetite for Asian long-haul from CEE hubs has jumped. LOT’s recently launched Warsaw-Bangkok route saw such strong advance bookings that the airline pulled its launch forward by three weeks, to 7 October.
- A large Vietnamese diaspora. Poland hosts one of Europe’s biggest Vietnamese communities, giving the route a steady base of VFR (visiting friends and relatives) traffic on top of growing tourism and trade links between the two countries.
- New Dreamliners arriving. Two additional Boeing 787s are due to join LOT’s long-haul fleet around late 2026 / early 2027, freeing up the capacity to open new Asian corridors without cutting into existing transatlantic flying.
The move also fits LOT’s published 2024-2028 growth strategy, which targets roughly 30% expansion and around 20 new destinations, with Vietnam, Thailand, China, South Korea and Japan all named as Asian priorities. Vietnam’s government has openly pushed for the link too – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged LOT to restore the Warsaw-Hanoi route during an official visit to Poland.
What it means for travellers
Until now, getting from Poland or neighbouring CEE countries to Vietnam has meant connecting through a Middle Eastern hub such as Doha or Dubai, or a Western European gateway like Frankfurt, Paris or London. A direct, year-round Warsaw service cuts hours off the journey and removes a connection – and because Warsaw is LOT’s hub, it should also open up one-stop itineraries to Hanoi from across the region, including the Baltics.
Right now, the cheapest routings to Vietnam still run through other European hubs. See current fares such as Vilnius to Hanoi, Riga to Ho Chi Minh City, Budapest to Hanoi or Athens to Hanoi. Poland already has a seasonal Vietnam link too – direct charters to the island of Phu Quoc from Warsaw and Katowice.
LOT’s wider Asian push
Hanoi is not an isolated move. LOT has been rebuilding its long-haul Asian network, adding Warsaw-Bangkok and already serving Seoul from its Warsaw hub. For Baltic and CEE travellers, that turns Warsaw into an increasingly credible alternative to transferring through Western Europe or the Gulf.
Frequently asked questions
When will LOT start flying to Vietnam?
The Warsaw-Hanoi route is expected to launch on 31 March 2027, coinciding with the start of the Summer 2027 schedule.
Which Vietnamese city will LOT fly to?
Hanoi, landing at Noi Bai International Airport (HAN). The flights depart from Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW).
How often will the flights operate?
Three times per week, year-round.
What aircraft will LOT use on the Vietnam route?
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, supported by two additional 787s joining LOT’s fleet around late 2026 / early 2027.
Has LOT flown to Vietnam before?
Yes – LOT operated Warsaw-Hanoi between 2010 and 2012 before suspending the route on commercial grounds.
Are tickets on sale yet?
Not at the time of writing. LOT has not yet published the full timetable or fares, so exact departure times and prices are still to be confirmed.
How do I get to Vietnam from Poland right now?
Via a connection through a Middle Eastern hub (Doha, Dubai) or a Western European gateway (Frankfurt, Paris, London), or on seasonal direct charter flights from Warsaw and Katowice to Phu Quoc.