Now OW inbound tariffs are also loaded. Flights as cheap as 15 USD thruoght OTAs in the lowest tariffs.

LOT launches a new WAW-DUB route on August 23, operated four times a week by B738.

LO299 WAW-DUB 1435-1635 1-3-5-7
LO300 DUB-WAW 1750-2150 1-3-5-7

I’ve wanted this route for a long time but I can’t help but wonder if now is really the best time to start it. Especially with a ‘large’ plane like the 738

Wasn't DUB announced before corona? I seem to remember something about it.

I think it was released that they obtained the slots, but I kind of assumed that COVID would put the brakes on any expansion plans

With utilization low and plenty of aircraft sitting around, it’s going to take a while to get back up there so might as well get Into every city possible.

LOT relaunched BUD-ICN on Monday. 1x weekly till end of august, then 3x weekly https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/lo2001

LOT Polish Airlines SA, the new company incorporated by Polish gov received its ICAO code HZR and callsign Huzar, probably will only be used temporarily until LOT Polish Airlines SA can get the callsign and ICAO code used currently by PLL LOT SA.

Starting from 24.08 LOT will be introducing a one weekly rotation between WRO and BUD.

LO 2535 WRO-BUD 13:30 - 14:45 (Monday)
LO 2536 BUD-WRO 15:35 - 16:50 (Monday)

To me this seems like a good schedule for transfer passengers. I wonder if this is LO's way of redirecting some traffic from non-WAW hubs to their BUD one. After all, flying to BUD is less backtracking than going all the way east to WAW?

https://airportal.hu/wroclaw-es-budapes ... tot-a-lot/

BoardingPass wrote:

LOT Polish Airlines SA, the new company incorporated by Polish gov received its ICAO code HZR and callsign Huzar, probably will only be used temporarily until LOT Polish Airlines SA can get the callsign and ICAO code used currently by PLL LOT SA.

Huzar is a pretty cool call sign I have to say. Maybe not suited for LOT, but it’d be cool to see another Polish airline use it.

tomgle wrote:

BoardingPass wrote:

LOT Polish Airlines SA, the new company incorporated by Polish gov received its ICAO code HZR and callsign Huzar, probably will only be used temporarily until LOT Polish Airlines SA can get the callsign and ICAO code used currently by PLL LOT SA.

Huzar is a pretty cool call sign I have to say. Maybe not suited for LOT, but it’d be cool to see another Polish airline use it.

'Husar' would be a pretty cool call sign for a Polish airline. 'Husar' means in Polish member of a heavy cavalry of Polish type (with wings, what makes it great in the context of an airline). 'Husar' or 'husarz' and not 'huzar'. In English: 'Polish hussar' or 'winged hussar'.

In turn 'huzar' means in Polish member of a light cavalry of Hungerian type. It makes a great cali sign only if that new aoc were to be used for Hungerian operations as some people speculate.

artflyer wrote:

tomgle wrote:

BoardingPass wrote:

LOT Polish Airlines SA, the new company incorporated by Polish gov received its ICAO code HZR and callsign Huzar, probably will only be used temporarily until LOT Polish Airlines SA can get the callsign and ICAO code used currently by PLL LOT SA.

Huzar is a pretty cool call sign I have to say. Maybe not suited for LOT, but it’d be cool to see another Polish airline use it.

'Husar' would be a pretty cool call sign for a Polish airline. 'Husar' means in Polish member of a heavy cavalry of Polish type (with wings, what makes it great in the context of an airline). 'Husar' or 'husarz' and not 'huzar'. In English: 'Polish hussar' or 'winged hussar'.

In turn 'huzar' means in Polish member of a light cavalry of Hungerian type. It makes a great cali sign only if that new aoc were to be used for Hungerian operations as some people speculate.

I wasn’t aware of that difference, I thought the z was simply and alternate spelling, thanks for clearing that up! I can see how that could suggest it’s meant for Hungarian operations.

Saw LOT's newest 787 Dreamliner (SP-LSH) out on a test flight yesterday around CHS. Painted and all. Looks beautiful

LUKAS10 wrote:

LOT launches a new WAW-DUB route on August 23, operated four times a week by B738.

LO299 WAW-DUB 1435-1635 1-3-5-7
LO300 DUB-WAW 1750-2150 1-3-5-7

Today's flight is operated by an E170, has that replaced the 737 on the route ?

Clydenairways wrote:

LUKAS10 wrote:

LOT launches a new WAW-DUB route on August 23, operated four times a week by B738.

LO299 WAW-DUB 1435-1635 1-3-5-7
LO300 DUB-WAW 1750-2150 1-3-5-7

Today's flight is operated by an E170, has that replaced the 737 on the route ?

According to FR24, the last 4 flights have been an E170 or E175. Ireland still has a fairly strict entry policy I believe so it wouldn't surprise me if there wasn't enough demand to fill up a 737.

tomgle wrote:

Clydenairways wrote:

LUKAS10 wrote:

LOT launches a new WAW-DUB route on August 23, operated four times a week by B738.

LO299 WAW-DUB 1435-1635 1-3-5-7
LO300 DUB-WAW 1750-2150 1-3-5-7

Today's flight is operated by an E170, has that replaced the 737 on the route ?

According to FR24, the last 4 flights have been an E170 or E175. Ireland still has a fairly strict entry policy I believe so it wouldn't surprise me if there wasn't enough demand to fill up a 737.

It’s not only a LOT-thing to use smaller aircraft these days, for example OS used to fly several rotations daily between VIE and MUC or ZRH, all on A32S, now MUC sees mostly Dash 8, ZRH a mix between Dash and E195, with an occasional A319.

lowwkjax wrote:

tomgle wrote:

Clydenairways wrote:

Today's flight is operated by an E170, has that replaced the 737 on the route ?

According to FR24, the last 4 flights have been an E170 or E175. Ireland still has a fairly strict entry policy I believe so it wouldn't surprise me if there wasn't enough demand to fill up a 737.

It’s not only a LOT-thing to use smaller aircraft these days, for example OS used to fly several rotations daily between VIE and MUC or ZRH, all on A32S, now MUC sees mostly Dash 8, ZRH a mix between Dash and E195, with an occasional A319.

LOT has always been changing its equipment, especially now during the Covid-19 crisis. They simply don't need to send a larger plane to DUB because LFs are not so high. I flew DUS-WAW-PRG last week and both flights (despite being operated by two different aircraft typer) were barely 50 % occupied. Anyway, its important to mention that LOT service was really outstanding (in EU flights standards) and it's visible the airline has an ambition to mature and grow.

LUKAS10 wrote:

lowwkjax wrote:

tomgle wrote:

According to FR24, the last 4 flights have been an E170 or E175. Ireland still has a fairly strict entry policy I believe so it wouldn't surprise me if there wasn't enough demand to fill up a 737.

It’s not only a LOT-thing to use smaller aircraft these days, for example OS used to fly several rotations daily between VIE and MUC or ZRH, all on A32S, now MUC sees mostly Dash 8, ZRH a mix between Dash and E195, with an occasional A319.

LOT has always been changing its equipment, especially now during the Covid-19 crisis. They simply don't need to send a larger plane to DUB because LFs are not so high. I flew DUS-WAW-PRG last week and both flights (despite being operated by two different aircraft typer) were barely 50 % occupied. Anyway, its important to mention that LOT service was really outstanding (in EU flights standards) and it's visible the airline has an ambition to mature and grow.

Yeah I’ve flown them recently on WAW-AMS and was really impressed by the service. Pre covid, you got a sweet Apple roll, a chocolate bar, and a choice of juices, water, tea or coffee. Now you have a choice of sweet or savoury roll, chocolate bar, pretzels or nuts, and instead of drinks from a cart everyone gets a 0,5L bottle of water. I can’t help but feel they’re trying a bold strategy of increasing their costs (at least in terms of inflight service) during a crisis.

tomgle wrote:

LUKAS10 wrote:

lowwkjax wrote:

It’s not only a LOT-thing to use smaller aircraft these days, for example OS used to fly several rotations daily between VIE and MUC or ZRH, all on A32S, now MUC sees mostly Dash 8, ZRH a mix between Dash and E195, with an occasional A319.

LOT has always been changing its equipment, especially now during the Covid-19 crisis. They simply don't need to send a larger plane to DUB because LFs are not so high. I flew DUS-WAW-PRG last week and both flights (despite being operated by two different aircraft typer) were barely 50 % occupied. Anyway, its important to mention that LOT service was really outstanding (in EU flights standards) and it's visible the airline has an ambition to mature and grow.

Yeah I’ve flown them recently on WAW-AMS and was really impressed by the service. Pre covid, you got a sweet Apple roll, a chocolate bar, and a choice of juices, water, tea or coffee. Now you have a choice of sweet or savoury roll, chocolate bar, pretzels or nuts, and instead of drinks from a cart everyone gets a 0,5L bottle of water. I can’t help but feel they’re trying a bold strategy of increasing their costs (at least in terms of inflight service) during a crisis.

I think that's a wise move. I used to fly them regularly many years ago when they had a decent onboard service. I left them once they started cutting as it became really depressing. Now that they are improving I might give them a try once again. I really used to like them before.

Two updates for the non-Polish speakers:

- Poland, Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary to build a common airline with LOT owning more than 50% of shares. So far, looks more like a political project than an actual business idea.

- LOT is considering launching Bangalore. Info mentioned during an opening of the Polish consulate over there. LOT doesn't confirm.

lyngbyvej wrote:

Poland, Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary to build a common airline with LOT owning more than 50% of shares. So far, looks more like a political project than an actual business idea.

It comes up time and again and will never happen. LOT already have a dubious reputation in Hungary after the first few seasons of operation.

holczakker wrote:

lyngbyvej wrote:

Poland, Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary to build a common airline with LOT owning more than 50% of shares. So far, looks more like a political project than an actual business idea.

It comes up time and again and will never happen. LOT already have a dubious reputation in Hungary after the first few seasons of operation.

Hopefully they have more success with short-haul flights though.

holczakker wrote:

lyngbyvej wrote:

Poland, Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary to build a common airline with LOT owning more than 50% of shares. So far, looks more like a political project than an actual business idea.

It comes up time and again and will never happen. LOT already have a dubious reputation in Hungary after the first few seasons of operation.

I fully agreed. That why I wrote "a political project"...

Out of curiosity, what would The Czech Republic have to gain from this? Don't they have CSA/Travel-something that's filling the role of a local national airline?

Blerg wrote:

Out of curiosity, what would The Czech Republic have to gain from this? Don't they have CSA/Travel-something that's filling the role of a local national airline?

OK/QS is basically a slowly dying airline. They're absolutely irrelevant even to the Czech market. I feel like it doesn't even make sense for LO to build any kind of long haul hub in PRG (as stated in the Czech version of the article) because it could pretty much cannibalise their own WAW hub. Just like BUD doesn't make sense from a long term perspective. Regarding Slovakia,... well... why would they need their own operation?!
So this is just a political project without a proper financial planning and will fail before it ever starts; I believe in the Lot's growth but not in this way - rather in focusing on their WAW home base.

LUKAS10 wrote:

Blerg wrote:

Out of curiosity, what would The Czech Republic have to gain from this? Don't they have CSA/Travel-something that's filling the role of a local national airline?

OK/QS is basically a slowly dying airline. They're absolutely irrelevant even to the Czech market. I feel like it doesn't even make sense for LO to build any kind of long haul hub in PRG (as stated in the Czech version of the article) because it could pretty much cannibalise their own WAW hub. Just like BUD doesn't make sense from a long term perspective. Regarding Slovakia,... well... why would they need their own operation?!
So this is just a political project without a proper financial planning and will fail before it ever starts; I believe in the Lot's growth but not in this way - rather in focusing on their WAW home base.

OK I understand but why is QS a dying airline? I thought they were doing well?

lyngbyvej wrote:

Two updates for the non-Polish speakers:

- Poland, Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary to build a common airline with LOT owning more than 50% of shares. So far, looks more like a political project than an actual business idea.

- LOT is considering launching Bangalore. Info mentioned during an opening of the Polish consulate over there. LOT doesn't confirm.

I am this is enough to upset Lufthansa!! They must be fuming if LOT keeps expanding...

They could call it Visegrad Airlines System...or VAS as an abbreviation. Think of all the fun that could be had on a.net, arguing whether the long haul hub should be in Bratislava or Budapest....

This just a waste of air, time and cost. LOT was already kinda going that way before COVID. LOT even said that for next year the biggest focus will be tourist destinations.

Here’s an idea so that polish people will still be happy, and the other 4 visegrad countries can accept. Rename LOT Polish Airlines to LOT Polished Airlines.

Polished ▪
refined, sophisticated, or elegant:
"he was polished and charming"
synonyms
refined, cultivated, civilized, civil, well bred, polite, courteous, well mannered, genteel, decorous, proper, respectable, courtly, urbane, suave, sophisticated, seemly

Seems a good name to work up to.

Blerg wrote:

LUKAS10 wrote:

Blerg wrote:

Out of curiosity, what would The Czech Republic have to gain from this? Don't they have CSA/Travel-something that's filling the role of a local national airline?

OK/QS is basically a slowly dying airline. They're absolutely irrelevant even to the Czech market. I feel like it doesn't even make sense for LO to build any kind of long haul hub in PRG (as stated in the Czech version of the article) because it could pretty much cannibalise their own WAW hub. Just like BUD doesn't make sense from a long term perspective. Regarding Slovakia,... well... why would they need their own operation?!
So this is just a political project without a proper financial planning and will fail before it ever starts; I believe in the Lot's growth but not in this way - rather in focusing on their WAW home base.

OK I understand but why is QS a dying airline? I thought they were doing well?

It is very uncertain. QS is the owner of OK. OK/QS was hardly hit by Covid-19 and has never really had a clear structure and plan. The company's owner and a good friend of CZ PM is currently begging government for money in order to finance a project with a zero trust even he's afraid to pour money in. That company is a complete mess and from my point of view deserves to die. The owner himself is not willing to support this company from his own pocket which makes general public feel very sceptic to it all. You simply cannot capitalise profits and socialise losses. Another issue is taxes - the company is based in the Netherlands and it still remains being unclear how much they contribute to the CZ tax and financial system.

So I don't say Visegrad version of LOT is a bad idea, I just believe it's not really worth it and WAW may loose way to many passengers over it.

LUKAS10 wrote:

Blerg wrote:

LUKAS10 wrote:

OK/QS is basically a slowly dying airline. They're absolutely irrelevant even to the Czech market. I feel like it doesn't even make sense for LO to build any kind of long haul hub in PRG (as stated in the Czech version of the article) because it could pretty much cannibalise their own WAW hub. Just like BUD doesn't make sense from a long term perspective. Regarding Slovakia,... well... why would they need their own operation?!
So this is just a political project without a proper financial planning and will fail before it ever starts; I believe in the Lot's growth but not in this way - rather in focusing on their WAW home base.

OK I understand but why is QS a dying airline? I thought they were doing well?

It is very uncertain. QS is the owner of OK. OK/QS was hardly hit by Covid-19 and has never really had a clear structure and plan. The company's owner and a good friend of CZ PM is currently begging government for money in order to finance a project with a zero trust even he's afraid to pour money in. That company is a complete mess and from my point of view deserves to die. The owner himself is not willing to support this company from his own pocket which makes general public feel very sceptic to it all. You simply cannot capitalise profits and socialise losses. Another issue is taxes - the company is based in the Netherlands and it still remains being unclear how much they contribute to the CZ tax and financial system.

So I don't say Visegrad version of LOT is a bad idea, I just believe it's not really worth it and WAW may loose way to many passengers over it.

In reality there isn't much behind the story. It is just an article in Czech press citing primarily CEO of the PRG airport, copied on Polish aviation portals with addition of a brief comment of the LO's spokesperson. The comment in a nutshell is that nothing like it is being considered. To me it seems like an initiative of a PRG airport, but interestingly with the support of the Czech PM Babis.

LO published results for 2019. Income 7,37 bln PLN (up from 6,19 bln PLN in 2018). EBITDA 142,6 mln PLN. EBIT 113,9 mln PLN. As of today PLN is 0,26 USD. As expected and announced previousely, 2019 EBITDA was below 2018 result (>200 mln PLN) and below budget, what was attributed by LO to grounding of B737 max and continuing RR engine issues.

LO expects this year to have between 2,5 to 3 mln pax (down from 10 mln last year) and next year approx. 5 mln.

LO expects that due to covid they could have negative cash at the end of 2020 of 250 mln PLN. Thus they are planning for getting state aid. They think a reasonable amount and the one that is acceptable in view of state aid rules would be 1 bln euro. But prior to that they want to finish renegotiations with lessors.

https://www.rynek-lotniczy.pl/wiadomosc ... -9688.html

Also it LOTs financials there was a line about an agreement with Boeing for Max compensation of million $245zl about $64mil dollars. Negotiations on an additional small amount are ongoing. Doesn’t seem like much, does anyone remember how much Enter Air got?

LOT is suspending flights to Dublin after just two months due to new restrictions in Ireland. The suspension is supposed to last until the 4th of December.
https://tvn24.pl/biznes/z-kraju/lot-anu ... ch-4728033 (source in Polish)

Polish Airlines to introduce direct flight between Bengaluru and Warsaw

Bengaluru: Polish Airlines would introduce a direct flight between Bengaluru and Warsaw, its regional director Amit Ray said at the opening ceremony of honorary consul of Poland in Bengaluru

Read more at:
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/in ... 259549.cms

Possibly Winter 2021 launch?

I noticed that Delhi is mostly operated by the B789. Could good performance at DEL have anything to do with them being overly optimistic about Bengaluru?

Blerg wrote:

I noticed that Delhi is mostly operated by the B789. Could good performance at DEL have anything to do with them being overly optimistic about Bengaluru?

LO is still not allowed under Polish law to take pax on board of its India flights, so I am not sure we can talk about good performance here. These are pure cargo flights, although with a very decent utilisation: for example on 27 September LO broke a world B789 cargo record with 46 tonnes of cargo on DEL-WAW route. By the way the former record was also with LO, although on a different route.

Bengaluru was planned already before Covid and LO has to do something with its wb fleet, so why not go ahead.

artflyer wrote:

Blerg wrote:

I noticed that Delhi is mostly operated by the B789. Could good performance at DEL have anything to do with them being overly optimistic about Bengaluru?

LO is still not allowed under Polish law to take pax on board of its India flights, so I am not sure we can talk about good performance here. These are pure cargo flights, although with a very decent utilisation: for example on 27 September LO broke a world B789 cargo record with 46 tonnes of cargo on DEL-WAW route. By the way the former record was also with LO, although on a different route.

Bengaluru was planned already before Covid and LO has to do something with its wb fleet, so why not go ahead.

I didn't know about passengers being banned but seems like there is good performance we can talk about, it's just cargo related one.

Blerg wrote:

artflyer wrote:

Blerg wrote:

I noticed that Delhi is mostly operated by the B789. Could good performance at DEL have anything to do with them being overly optimistic about Bengaluru?

LO is still not allowed under Polish law to take pax on board of its India flights, so I am not sure we can talk about good performance here. These are pure cargo flights, although with a very decent utilisation: for example on 27 September LO broke a world B789 cargo record with 46 tonnes of cargo on DEL-WAW route. By the way the former record was also with LO, although on a different route.

Bengaluru was planned already before Covid and LO has to do something with its wb fleet, so why not go ahead.

I didn't know about passengers being banned but seems like there is good performance we can talk about, it's just cargo related one.

The same legal ban applies to all flights to US which are also all cargo since many months.

On India route most of the LO's cargo is pharma and since LO now holds the IATA CEIV Pharma Certificate, I am pretty sure they also get very decent remuneration. So you my be right.

artflyer wrote:

Blerg wrote:

artflyer wrote:

LO is still not allowed under Polish law to take pax on board of its India flights, so I am not sure we can talk about good performance here. These are pure cargo flights, although with a very decent utilisation: for example on 27 September LO broke a world B789 cargo record with 46 tonnes of cargo on DEL-WAW route. By the way the former record was also with LO, although on a different route.

Bengaluru was planned already before Covid and LO has to do something with its wb fleet, so why not go ahead.

I didn't know about passengers being banned but seems like there is good performance we can talk about, it's just cargo related one.

The same legal ban applies to all flights to US which are also all cargo since many months.

On India route most of the LO's cargo is pharma and since LO now holds the IATA CEIV Pharma Certificate, I am pretty sure they also get very decent remuneration. So you my be right.

Most of the flights to USA and Canada have had passengers for months. I had family and friends flying back and forth most of the summer on LO.

The KRK to ORD flight is being suspended because there are not enough passengers, although 4 flights around Christmas will go, and then hopefully the flight will return in Summer 21. And to think at one point that route was going to be flown 12 weekly!

SRQLOT wrote:

artflyer wrote:

Blerg wrote:

I didn't know about passengers being banned but seems like there is good performance we can talk about, it's just cargo related one.

The same legal ban applies to all flights to US which are also all cargo since many months.

On India route most of the LO's cargo is pharma and since LO now holds the IATA CEIV Pharma Certificate, I am pretty sure they also get very decent remuneration. So you my be right.

Most of the flights to USA and Canada have had passengers for months. I had family and friends flying back and forth most of the summer on LO.

The KRK to ORD flight is being suspended because there are not enough passengers, although 4 flights around Christmas will go, and then hopefully the flight will return in Summer 21. And to think at one point that route was going to be flown 12 weekly!

Canada flights had no restrictions (at least no Polish ones). The same US flights outbound from Poland (although I don't know if LO was selling tickets for those flights), but are you sure about direct flights from US to Poland during summer?

artflyer wrote:

SRQLOT wrote:

artflyer wrote:

The same legal ban applies to all flights to US which are also all cargo since many months.

On India route most of the LO's cargo is pharma and since LO now holds the IATA CEIV Pharma Certificate, I am pretty sure they also get very decent remuneration. So you my be right.

Most of the flights to USA and Canada have had passengers for months. I had family and friends flying back and forth most of the summer on LO.

The KRK to ORD flight is being suspended because there are not enough passengers, although 4 flights around Christmas will go, and then hopefully the flight will return in Summer 21. And to think at one point that route was going to be flown 12 weekly!

Canada flights had no restrictions (at least no Polish ones). The same US flights outbound from Poland (although I don't know if LO was selling tickets for those flights), but are you sure about direct flights from US to Poland during summer?

Yes most of my family is dual citizen and few friends, so they have no issues flying both ways. Of course the flights being charters they had to adjust some of the days of flying in or out. And all of them flew on LOT for nonstop as none wanted to risk a connection. One friend somehow got in on a visa to the US, I even questioned that one as she is definitely not a citizen of USA.

But I thought the only ban that's in place is the one for transfer passengers in a Schengen area airport.... which includes WAW.

SRQLOT, Poland is the latest country in the US Visa Waiver Program a few months ago as they are strong in NATO intelligence sharing. But even in this pandemic VFR is limited and I agree flying 3x weekly TATL is a good way to go.

Also Poles right now can't enter the USA under ESTA/Visa Waiver Program due to the pandemic (you need US residency e.g. Green Card or need to be a US citizen to enter). Who knows WHEN THIS PANDEMIC WILL END!

Blerg wrote:

But I thought the only ban that's in place is the one for transfer passengers in a Schengen area airport.... which includes WAW.

Ban on Schengen area airports (subject to certain exceptions) is the one introduced unilaterally by the US, but Poland has its own list, prohibiting (also subject to certain exceptions) inbound flights with pax (ie into Poland, but not outbound) from certain countries. The list is updated beweekly. Most notable on the current list are US, Israel, Lebanon, India, Bosnia, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia. Other countries on the list are the ones where there were no scheduled or charter pax flights to/from Poland anyway like Moldova, Belize or Brazil. In total the current list has 27 countries.

artflyer wrote:

Blerg wrote:

I noticed that Delhi is mostly operated by the B789. Could good performance at DEL have anything to do with them being overly optimistic about Bengaluru?

LO is still not allowed under Polish law to take pax on board of its India flights, so I am not sure we can talk about good performance here. These are pure cargo flights, although with a very decent utilisation: for example on 27 September LO broke a world B789 cargo record with 46 tonnes of cargo on DEL-WAW route. By the way the former record was also with LO, although on a different route.

Bengaluru was planned already before Covid and LO has to do something with its wb fleet, so why not go ahead.

I hope they do start WAW-BLR in Winter 2021 or Summer 2022. Hopefully by then there will be "some" normalcy in travel. I remember LOT wanted to fly to BOM/BLR/CCU from WAW as DEL was doing well, but BLR was or is a big surprise as they dont fly to BOM yet. Fingers crossed and hope for the best

sand26391 wrote:

artflyer wrote:

Blerg wrote:

I noticed that Delhi is mostly operated by the B789. Could good performance at DEL have anything to do with them being overly optimistic about Bengaluru?

LO is still not allowed under Polish law to take pax on board of its India flights, so I am not sure we can talk about good performance here. These are pure cargo flights, although with a very decent utilisation: for example on 27 September LO broke a world B789 cargo record with 46 tonnes of cargo on DEL-WAW route. By the way the former record was also with LO, although on a different route.

Bengaluru was planned already before Covid and LO has to do something with its wb fleet, so why not go ahead.

I hope they do start WAW-BLR in Winter 2021 or Summer 2022. Hopefully by then there will be "some" normalcy in travel. I remember LOT wanted to fly to BOM/BLR/CCU from WAW as DEL was doing well, but BLR was or is a big surprise as they dont fly to BOM yet. Fingers crossed and hope for the best

The driving force in LO for India expansion is head of DACH region (Germany+Austria+Switzerland) for LO that is actually Indian. He is now head of DACH + India in LO. He was also behind expansion of LO in DACH, which was pretty sucessful.

The helping hand comes from increasing economic cooperation between Poland and India as well as growing Indian population in Poland and a very good location of WAW for transfers to US and in particular Canada, where direct flights to YYZ actually overfly WAW. LO was also looking for shorter routes to better employ its B787 fleet, balancing routes to Western US (Los Angeles, San Francisco), which both ways take more than 24h. So basically from WAW, India and back + Western US and back are together under 48 h, which is what they are looking for.

I read somewhere (can't remember where) that several airlines, LO included, will have a flight ban to China starting from November 2. Apparently Chinese government officials have caught several covid cases onboard these flights.