The first traces of Polish aviation can be found in 1910. However, one
of the first fully domestic airlines, under the name of Aerolloyd, was
formed in 1922 by Polish oil barons and operated from the Free City of
Danzig, with the help of German investors. Aerolloyd, or Aerolot in
Polish, initiated a merger with some smaller competing Polish airlines
in 1927 to form LOT Polish Airlines, which was owned by the Polish
state. During World War Two, when Poland was occupied by German troops,
the airline ceased all operations. After the war, and under Soviet
control, LOT was forced to use Russian-built aircraft, though in certain
cases, some Western aircraft were also used. In general, however, LOT
remained a loyal customer of the Russian aviation industry until the
fall of the Berlin Wall. By that time, more Western equipment was
entering the fleet, and the airline was gradually expanding its route
network. Although LOT has had to face numerous problems, including the
grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet, a failed privatization and the
COVID-19 pandemic, the airline has managed to become the leading airline
in Eastern Europe. Illustrated with over 150 photographs, this book
tells the history of this fascinating airline from its beginnings to the
present day.
