Southwest and LOT Expand US Gateways to Warsaw Across LAX, MIA, and SFO

Connecting dozens of secondary American cities to Central Europe on a single itinerary, Southwest Airlines and Star Alliance member LOT Polish Airlines have activated a transatlantic interline network centered on three coastal gateways: Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco.

The Local Trend: Coastal Gateways Anchor a New Transatlantic Corridor

Navigating overseas travel from non-hub American cities has historically forced travelers to piece together separate airline bookings, self-transfer checked luggage between terminals, and absorb financial liabilities if delays trigger missed overseas connections. To dismantle these barriers, Southwest Airlines and LOT Polish Airlines have formally launched an interline commercial cooperation.

The agreement allows single-ticket reservations linking Southwest’s extensive domestic network with LOT's long-haul transatlantic operations. Built upon three primary connection points—Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Miami International Airport (MIA), and San Francisco International Airport (SFO)—the partnership enables travelers from across the American West, Midwest, and South to connect seamlessly toward Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW).

Gateway Profile: Connecting the US to Warsaw

Joint Gateway Hub	Target US Regional Market	Transatlantic Aircraft Deployed	Primary Connecting Role
Los Angeles (LAX)	Greater Southern California & Southwest	Boeing 787 Dreamliner / 737 Fleet	Primary West Coast transpacific & transatlantic link
Miami (MIA)	Florida, Southeast & Latin transit	Boeing 787 Dreamliner / 737 Fleet	Direct southern US bridge to Central Europe
San Francisco (SFO)	Northern California & Pacific Northwest	Boeing 787 Dreamliner / 737 Fleet	Tech corridor and northern West Coast connector
Warsaw Chopin (WAW)	Polish Capital Hub (Over 100 Interlines)	Boeing 787 / 737 MAX / Embraer	Gatekeeper to Poland, the Baltics, and Central Europe

Warsaw Chopin Airport: Expanding Beyond Western European Hubs

While traditional transatlantic flights funnel passengers into high-congestion airports like London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Frankfurt, the partnership establishes Warsaw Chopin Airport as a central, lower-stress transit alternative:

• Hub Network of Over 100 Airline Interlines: LOT Polish Airlines maintains interline agreements with more than 100 airlines globally. Through Warsaw, travelers can access convenient connections across Poland (including Krakow, Wroclaw, Gdansk, and Poznan) as well as regional flights into Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, and Hungary.
• Streamlined Single-Ticket Protection: Booking through a unified itinerary guarantees that if an inbound Southwest feeder flight is delayed due to weather or air traffic control holds, LOT Polish Airlines automatically rebooks the passenger onto the next available transatlantic flight without penalty.
• Two-Way Cultural and Tourism Exchange: The agreement provides reciprocal benefits for European tourists visiting the United States. Incoming travelers landing at LAX, MIA, or SFO can use Southwest’s domestic frequency to access California national parks, Florida beach communities, or southwestern historical landmarks on a protected ticket.

Passenger Guidance: US DOT Interline and Baggage Regulations

Travelers planning a transatlantic journey combining two distinct airlines should note essential consumer guidance administered by the US Department of Transportation (DOT):

• Baggage Through-Check Verification: While interline agreements generally permit baggage to be checked through to the final overseas destination, travelers departing the US must verify at their origin Southwest check-in counter that luggage tags display the final European airport code (e.g., WAW, KRK, PRG).
• US Customs Re-Check Rules on Return Flights: In accordance with US federal border control regulations, all passengers returning to the United States from Europe must claim their checked baggage at their first US port of entry (LAX, MIA, or SFO) to clear US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), before re-dropping bags at Southwest transit counters for their final domestic leg.
• Baggage Allowance Alignment: Southwest permits two free checked bags on domestic flights, whereas LOT's transatlantic economy rules typically provide one complimentary checked bag up to 23 kg (50 lbs). Review your ticket receipt to verify baggage fees across both carriers.

Destination Specialist Local Insider Tips

Travelers flying between the US and Europe via the Southwest-LOT partnership can streamline their travel experience with these expert tips:

• Allow at Least 3 Hours for Gateway Transfers at LAX and MIA: Southwest operates from Terminal 1 at LAX, while LOT departs from the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT); although airside pedestrian bridges connect terminals, allowing three hours ensures an unhurried security and boarding experience.
• Explore Warsaw’s Rebuilt UNESCO Old Town: If your itinerary includes a multi-hour layover in Warsaw, take the 20-minute SKM train directly from Chopin Airport to the Old Town (Stare Miasto), a meticulously reconstructed UNESCO World Heritage site featuring cobblestone alleys and the historic Royal Castle.
• Sample Warm Zurek and Pierogi in Warsaw Terminal: During layovers at Chopin Airport, visit authentic dining concessions to enjoy traditional Polish zurek (a savory sour rye soup served with sausage and boiled egg) before connecting to regional flights.
• Use Mobile Check-In Across Both Airlines: While booked on a single ticket confirmation code, retain your separate 6-character airline locator codes for both Southwest and LOT to select seats and download boarding passes on respective mobile apps.
• Opt for Electric PKP Express Trains in Poland: If touring multiple Polish heritage sites, consider flying into Warsaw and traveling aboard PKP Intercity Pendolino trains, which reach Krakow in under two hours and 15 minutes with high-speed comfort.

Future Outlook

Southwest Airlines' interline cooperation with LOT Polish Airlines reflects a forward-looking strategy that maximizes passenger convenience without heavy capital investments in long-haul fleets. By channeling travelers through Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco directly to Warsaw, both carriers are expanding consumer choice and lowering the cost and complexity of transatlantic travel.

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