LOT Polish Airlines has taken a bold strategic leap into a new era of fleet modernization, officially bidding farewell to its longstanding Embraer fleet with a landmark order of up to 84 Airbus A220 aircraft. Announced at the 2025 Paris Air Show, the deal includes 40 firm orders—split evenly between the A220-100 and A220-300 variants—along with options for an additional 44 units. This move not only represents the airline’s first-ever Airbus order, but it also makes LOT the first Polish operator of Airbus aircraft, marking a historic moment in the evolution of Central Europe’s largest airline.
Airbus Secures a Landmark Win at Paris Air Show
The 2025 Paris Air Show served as the global stage where Airbus cemented a major victory, winning the battle for LOT’s regional fleet renewal over Brazilian manufacturer Embraer. The significance of this deal goes beyond sheer numbers—it represents a symbolic and strategic victory for Airbus, as LOT had been one of the last major European carriers without a single Airbus jet in its fleet.
According to LOT CEO Michał Fijoł, the selection process was fiercely competitive. “It was not an easy choice,” Fijoł admitted during the Paris press conference. “We had two very strong offers, and ultimately we felt that Airbus wanted us more.” This heartfelt comment underscores the aggressive courting by Airbus, who clearly recognized the symbolic value of winning over Poland’s flag carrier. The deal adds further momentum to Airbus’s regional expansion push and reflects LOT’s ambitions for growth, modernization, and sustainability.
Inside LOT’s Airbus A220 Order: Deliveries Begin 2027
Deliveries of the A220s are expected to begin in summer 2027, initially with the larger A220-300. The airline will later evaluate the performance of both variants before deciding how to proceed with the remaining options. The A220s are intended to replace LOT’s aging Embraer E1 fleet, which is approaching obsolescence in both technological relevance and environmental standards.
Fijoł elaborated on the rationale behind the choice:
“We truly believe that the Airbus A220 is the right aircraft for the future of LOT. It fits our strategy in three key ways: growth, quality, and sustainability.”
These guiding pillars align directly with LOT’s long-term vision. The A220’s fuel efficiency—burning significantly less than older jets—and its reduced CO2 emissions offer immediate sustainability gains. The modern cabin design, increased luggage capacity, and more spacious passenger experience also set a higher bar for service quality.
A Strategic Blow to Embraer’s European Ambitions
This order is not just a win for Airbus—it’s a strategic blow to Embraer, whose regional jets have been the backbone of LOT’s operations for decades. The current regional fleet comprises exclusively of Embraer aircraft, many of which are reaching the end of their economic life. As of now, LOT operates over 40 Embraer regional jets, including E170s and E190s, with an average age of more than 14 years.
Here’s a snapshot of LOT’s current Embraer fleet:
- E170-100LR: 5 units (avg. 20.4 years)
- E170-200LR: 3 units (avg. 13.1 years)
- E190-100AR: 5 active + 3 inactive (avg. 10.6 years)
- E190-200AR & LR: 16 units combined (avg. 14.5 years)
- E190-400 (E2 variant): 3 units (avg. 1.1 years)
In terms of network usage, LOT deploys these aircraft primarily on domestic and regional European routes, such as Warsaw to Wrocław, Poznań, and Rzeszów. These markets require frequent, reliable, smaller-capacity aircraft. While Embraer’s E2 jets offered a natural evolutionary path, LOT’s decision indicates that technological continuity was less important than a fresh, strategic alignment.
Why the A220 Won: Growth, Comfort, and Green Goals
The Airbus A220 is designed precisely for the 100–150 seat market, delivering 20% lower fuel burn per seat, 50% lower noise footprint, and up to 25% lower CO2 emissions than previous-generation aircraft. This makes it particularly attractive for airlines seeking to meet EU carbon reduction targets while still maintaining route flexibility and profitability.
Passenger experience was also a major deciding factor. The A220 boasts the widest seats in its category, large windows, and more overhead bin space—a clear advantage for short- to medium-haul passengers expecting comfort on par with narrowbody mainline aircraft.
Operationally, the A220 provides LOT with route agility—it can efficiently serve both dense regional routes and thinner point-to-point markets. This flexibility aligns with LOT’s multi-hub strategy and its ambition to expand beyond Warsaw into new European and potentially Middle Eastern markets.
Poland’s First Airbus Operator: A Milestone in Aviation History
Poland has never hosted a registered Airbus aircraft until now. With this A220 deal, LOT becomes the first Polish carrier to fly Airbus, a milestone that French Transport Minister Clément Beaune proudly highlighted at the Paris ceremony. The national pride associated with this deal resonates across both countries—a strategic alignment of industrial cooperation, not just commercial aviation.
LOT’s choice also sends a signal to other regional airlines in Eastern and Central Europe: the age of fleet diversification is here, and Airbus is actively expanding its footprint into regions once dominated by Boeing and Embraer.
Embraer’s Reaction: A Disappointment, Not a Defeat
While LOT’s shift to Airbus is a major disappointment for Embraer, the Brazilian manufacturer remains publicly diplomatic. In an interview with Poland’s money.pl, Embraer Commercial Aviation CEO Arjan Meijer emphasized the compatibility between the E1 and E2 aircraft and reiterated the operational continuity LOT would have benefited from. He described the E2 as the “most optimal aircraft”—not just as a replacement, but also as a logical fleet complement alongside LOT’s Boeing 737s.
Yet, as the outcome shows, emotional loyalty to brand history was outweighed by a future-focused strategic plan. Airbus’s hunger, paired with a compelling performance package and sustainability promise, sealed the deal.
What This Means for LOT’s Future
This aircraft order is more than just a replacement strategy—it’s the clearest sign yet that LOT Polish Airlines is preparing for long-term regional dominance. With the A220s, LOT will be better equipped to:
- Launch new destinations without sacrificing fuel economics
- Elevate the regional flying experience to near-mainline standards
- Shrink its carbon footprint as part of its corporate sustainability agenda
The move positions LOT competitively in an era where passenger expectations, climate regulations, and fuel costs are rapidly changing. And with the first deliveries starting in 2027, the transformation is just around the corner.
Conclusion: Farewell, Embraer—Hello, Airbus
LOT’s 2025 Airbus A220 deal marks a turning point in European aviation. As the last major EU carrier to introduce Airbus into its operations, LOT has taken a decisive leap forward. It reflects not only a fleet modernization choice but also a broader strategic reorientation around performance, comfort, and environmental responsibility.
As Airbus adds yet another customer to its A220 program, and Embraer recalibrates its regional strategy in Europe, the ripple effects of this decision will be felt well beyond Warsaw. One thing is certain: the skies over Poland will look very different come 2027.
