About this flight
I flew with LOT Polish Airlines from Düsseldorf in northwestern Germany to Krakow in southern Poland, via Warsaw, the capital of Poland.
Because I traveled during the winter season, it was extremely cold with heavy snow. My destination was Krakow in order to visit the Auschwitz concentration camp located nearby.
Düsseldorf Airport celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2017, and to mark the occasion, a photo exhibition highlighting the airport’s history was on display throughout the terminal.
At Düsseldorf Airport, I used the Lufthansa lounge, and at Warsaw Airport, I visited the LOT Polish Airlines lounge.
The flight from Warsaw to Krakow was unable to operate that day due to heavy snowfall at Krakow Airport, so I stayed overnight at the Marriott located across from the airport terminal as arranged by the airline. I finally arrived in Krakow on the flight the following morning.
Düsseldorf
Top
Airport Railway Station
I arrived at Düsseldorf Airport Station by train.
Air Berlin
This is the railway station at Düsseldorf Airport. On the building in the back, though a bit hazy from the rain, you can see the Air Berlin sign.
Air Berlin was established after World War II as an American airline and operated routes from West Berlin—then isolated by the Berlin Wall—to West Germany and other countries. It ceased operations and went bankrupt in October 2017. About two months after the collapse, the company sign was still here.
To the Departure Lobby
I entered the Düsseldorf Airport terminal and headed toward the departure lobby.
Departure Lobby (1)
This is the departure lobby.
Departure Lobby (2)
The departure lobby. The check-in counters are in the back.
Departure Lobby (3)
This area is labeled “Bar & Bistro.”
On the right is likely a bar counter where you can drink beer and other alcohol.
The showcase on the left seems to have cakes and cookies, but since it says “Bistro,” perhaps they also serve French dishes.
Departure Lobby (4)
This is another café space. The chairs are very unique and stylish.
Photo Exhibition – First Direct Flight from Haneda
Düsseldorf International Airport (airport code: DUS) was holding a photo exhibition celebrating its 90th anniversary.
This photo shows the arrival of the first direct JAL flight from Tokyo to Düsseldorf in 1961 (a DC-8 jet), welcomed by the mayor. It is introduced as “The dawn of the jet engine era.”
Photo Exhibition – Postwar Reconstruction
Düsseldorf suffered heavy destruction during World War II, but went through reconstruction afterward.
By 1960, the airport had a new terminal, and the exhibit explains that “the area where British barracks once stood is now the state-of-the-art Airport City business district.”
Photo Exhibition – Growth in Flight Numbers
This photo is from 1953. The arrival schedule is displayed by day of the week.
There were about 25 flights per day, so the staff members memorized them and could answer questions like “What time is the flight from Stockholm via Berlin scheduled to arrive?”
The schedule also shows that British Airways operated twice weekly from Tokyo to Düsseldorf, stopping in nine cities along the way.
The exhibit notes, “Today, up to 700 flights take off and land here each day,” looking back on the airport’s expansion.
Photo Exhibition – Toward the Next 90 Years
“Air transport connects people and unites the world. Düsseldorf Airport has, over many years, helped shape the global map of air travel.”
The exhibit concludes with “Here’s to the next 90 years!”
ANA Check-in Counter
This is the ANA check-in counter. In January 2018, ANA operated daily flights to Düsseldorf.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the route is currently suspended (as of November 2023).
Information Counter
This appears to be an information counter — perhaps for meeting room reservations.
Duty-Free Shops, etc.
This is the duty-free shopping area inside the restricted zone.
Restricted Area
The boarding gate area.
Lounge
Top
Lufthansa Lounge
As a member of Star Alliance, LOT Polish Airlines passengers can use the Lufthansa German Airlines lounge.
Buffet
This is the buffet area of the Lufthansa “Senator Lounge.”
Food I Had
Here are the dishes I enjoyed.
- • Cheese pretzel
- • German potato dish
- • Soup with meatballs
- • Vegetable salad
- • German beer “Becks”
Seating Area
This is the seating area of the lounge.
Each seat is quite large, so you can sit and relax comfortably.
More Food I Had
This is the second plate I had from the buffet.
- • Potato dish
- • Pumpkin seeds
Boarding Gate
When the departure time approached, I left the lounge and came to the boarding gate for the flight to Warsaw.
In-Flight
Top
Inside the Cabin
This is the economy class cabin on the flight to Warsaw.
Warsaw Airport
目次に戻る
Arrival at the Airport
I arrived at Warsaw Airport.
Departure Gates
This is the departure gate area at Warsaw Airport.
Lounge
During my connection for the Kraków flight, I was also able to use LOT Polish Airlines’ lounge.
This is the seating area inside the lounge.
Lounge – Buffet Food
These are the buffet items available in the LOT Polish Airlines lounge.
- • About six types of ham
- • About five types of cheese
Lounge – My Meal
This is the meal I had in the lounge.
Boarding Gate for Kraków Flight
After eating in the lounge, I moved to the boarding gate for the Kraków flight as departure time approached.
Rebooked for the Next Day
The Kraków flight was scheduled to depart around 10:30 p.m., but due to heavy snowfall in Kraków, landing was not possible that night. The flight was cancelled.
Passengers are being rebooked onto flights the following morning.
Hotel Voucher
This is the hotel voucher for an overnight stay in Warsaw.
It appears they arranged accommodation at the Marriott located right on the airport grounds.
Tomorrow’s Boarding Pass
The upper slip is the hotel voucher.
The lower slip is the boarding pass for the next day’s 7 a.m. departure.
Exit
Since the flight was cancelled and I could not make the connection, I headed toward the exit of Warsaw Airport.
Arrival Lobby
This is the arrival lobby at Warsaw Airport.
Warsaw Chopin Airport
This is the exit of Warsaw International Airport. The airport is named after the Polish composer Frédéric Chopin.
Late-Night Check-in Counters
This is the late-night check-in counter area.
Snowy Scenery
The hotel is located right in front of the airport terminal.
When I stepped outside the terminal to head to the hotel, I found this snowy scene.
Overnight Stay in Warsaw
目次に戻る
Marriott Hotel Exterior
This is the Marriott Hotel located right in front of Warsaw Airport.
It is the four-star “Courtyard by Marriott Warsaw Airport.”
Front Lobby (1)
This is the lobby area of the Marriott Hotel.
Front Lobby (2)
The lobby again.
Check-in
Passengers whose flights were cancelled and who needed an unexpected overnight stay were lining up at the check-in counter, just like me.
Guest Room
This is my room at the Marriott Hotel. What an impressive room—truly worthy of a four-star hotel.
Breakfast
Breakfast was included, so I enjoyed the hotel’s morning buffet.
Breakfast – Ham and Sausages
They offered six kinds of authentic ham and sausages!
A true European treat—wonderful.
Breakfast – Fruit and Yogurt
This is the fruit and yogurt section.
Breakfast – My Meal
This is the selection I had for breakfast.
- • Assorted hams and sausages
- • Tomatoes and cucumbers — mustard and whole-grain mustard
- • Assorted fruit
Flight to Kraków
目次に戻る
Heading to the Terminal Early in the Morning
After having breakfast, I headed back to the terminal.
Terminal
Since Warsaw Chopin Airport is the main hub for LOT Polish Airlines, their large logo sign is displayed prominently.
Large Aircraft Model
A large airplane model is displayed here. “LOT” means “flight” in Polish.
This area is labeled “Meeting Point,” so it is likely used as a gathering spot.
EuroLOT Aircraft
This is the aircraft for the flight to Kraków. EuroLOT was a subsidiary of LOT Polish Airlines, operating mainly domestic and short-haul international routes.
Aircraft for Boarding
This shows the aircraft’s vertical stabilizer and propeller engine. It appears to be an ATR 72 (64 seats), built by the French-Italian manufacturer ATR.
Taxiing to the Runway
The aircraft is taxiing from the apron toward the runway.
Inside the Aircraft
The view inside the cabin.
Coffee Service
After takeoff, I was served water and coffee.
Arrival in Kraków
目次に戻る
Train Information to the City Center
I arrived at Kraków Airport. This is the departure information board for trains heading to the city center.
Suitcase Art Object
A glowing suitcase-shaped art object displayed in the arrivals hall.
Snowfall
I arrived in Kraków city. Snow has accumulated on the ground.
