When flying, it’s essential to feel safe and comfortable with your carrier. You are supposed to be in the air for hours on end, with no option to leave mid-way. Given the delicateness of this experience, you should think twice before choosing airlines and purchasing tickets.
Transavia is a Dutch airline that brands itself as a low-cost carrier. If you are thinking about flying with them in the near future, take a minute and evaluate your options. I had the displeasure of travelling with them recently, and here is my honest review about the entire trip!
What Is Transavia Airlines?
Transavia Airlines, also known as Transavia Airlines C.V., is a low-cost airline known for its cheap fares and budget-friendly deals. Since this airline is a direct subsidiary of KLM, it’s also part of the Air France-KLM group. With its primary base at the Amsterdam airport, Transavia serves an extensive network and charters flights to 110 destinations.
Furthermore, other bases are at Rotterdam The Hague Airport and Eindhoven Airport. Reports have noted that this airline flies over 11 million passengers each year, mainly in Europe and northern Africa.
Is Transavia Airlines Safe?
I suppose everyone can unanimously agree that safety is one of the most basic and necessary elements of air travel. One thing we all want to be sure of is that we will reach our destination safely.
When it comes to the safety of Transavia Airlines, I would regard it as my worst experience. Right off the bat, I noticed that there was no compliance with the rules, and the airplane staff was not paying attention to precautionary procedures. This struck me as reckless, and I ended up feeling paranoid for the rest of my flight. Since I was worried about my protection the entire time, my journey was restless and stressful. Some fellow passengers also took note of this and agreed with the principle.
Transavia Airlines has not allocated adequate resources towards the boarding zone, and it shows. If you are someone who, like me, pays attention to these little things, then you wouldn’t feel comfortable with Transavia.
Food Included Aboard Transavia Airlines
Needless to say, the Transavia Airlines experience is devoid of any facilities or amenities. You have the option to go with onboard food purchases, but objectively, it adds a lot of costs and defeats the purpose of flying with low-cost carriers.
If you have booked a flight with them in economy, be prepared to pay extra for plane food, meal service, or even a water bottle. They don’t offer anything complimentary, so you must bring your own food or be prepared to pay unreasonable amounts for small snacks.
However, Transavia offers a selection of hot snacks, sandwiches, soft drinks, juices, and other non-food items for purchase. You can place your order with the flight attendants and ask for any dietary information. In my opinion, when it comes to their flight menu and (paid) food, it’s not decent and certainly not worth paying so much money for.
During my flight, I noticed that there was a fair amount of variety on the menu. However, it “sells out” fast, and it is very rare that you will get what you want. One good thing is that they allow passengers to bring their personal food items in the cabin, especially when you have special dietary needs and restrictions.
Transavia Airlines Baggage Policy
Transavia Airlines’ luggage policy isn’t that much different from its competitors. Since it’s a low-cost airline, it doesn’t allow checked baggage within the periphery of the base fare. Passengers who wish to carry checked luggage have to pay an additional amount that varies according to size and weight. These costs also vary depending on whether you book online or in person at the airport. Here is a general breakdown:
| Weight | Online | Airport |
| 15 kg or below | € 9 – € 28 | € 45 |
| 16 to 20 kg | € 13 – € 35 | € 60 |
| 21 to 25 kg | € 17 – € 42 | € 75 |
| 26 to 30 kg | € 26 – € 54 | € 90 |
The only thing that is included in the ticket price is one small bag that can fit under the seat. The size restriction for said bag is (max. 40 x 30 x 20 cm). If you want another cabin bag, you will have to pay extra.
Transavia Airlines Cancellation Policy
Another reason why I think Transavia is not a good airline is their cancellation policy. While I didn’t have the need to cancel my flight, their policy struck me as hostile anyway.
As per their regulations, passengers will be required to pay a 100% cancellation fee should they cancel their booking. There is no availability of refunds, so your losses will lie where they are left.
Other than that, people who have cancellation insurance may be able to recover some costs. If Transavia cancelled the flight from their end, then you will be entitled to a refund or rebooking.
Is Transavia Airlines Worth It?
Without a second thought, I can confidently say that Transavia Airlines was not worth it for me. Unfortunately, I couldn’t let go of the fact that they were being so nonchalant during the boarding process. While no one likes to spend hours in lines, safety procedures exist for vital reasons, and airlines should adhere to them.
Other than that, I did not like the in-flight experience either. My seat was uncomfortable, and the lack of padding gave me terrible back pain. Since the cabin was cramped, there was very little legroom, and I didn’t have the room to stretch my legs or sit easily. Transavia is known for its last-minute delays, so I wasn’t surprised when my departure time was pushed ahead. Regardless, it was complicated to navigate through.
Their planes are often overpacked, leaving little space in overhead cabins for you to store your valuable hand luggage/ personal items. The same thing happened to me as I was flying during the holiday season and had no room for my carry-on bag.
Given the entirety of my experience, I will not be flying with them again.
Transavia Airlines FAQs
Do you get free food on Transavia?
While Transavia Airlines does not offer complimentary food, customers can purchase in-flight food items from the menu. There are solid foods, beverages, and snacks available.
Does Transavia have assigned seats?
If passengers want to select their own seats on a Transavia flight, they will be required to pay extra. As a low-cost airline, Transavia offers ancillary services that are entirely optional.
Does Transavia Airlines offer priority boarding?
Yes, you can acquire priority boarding with Transavia Airlines by booking the max fare or by adding a cabin bag to your booking. The latter will automatically ensure priority boarding as well.
Is Transavia Punctual?
Transavia Airlines has an 86% punctuality rate over various networks. However, customer complaints and reviews often show that Transavia is not the best with punctuality.
Final Thoughts
In my personal experience, I have never heard anyone talk positively about Transavia Airlines. As someone who has traveled with numerous airlines over the years, it’s fair to say that I have experienced anything and everything.
Even though Transavia is considered a market leader in the holiday market, its service is absolutely terrible. I am sure that people only travel with them because of their routes, network, and fares.
After my trip and overall experience, I can surely say that I will never travel with them again. I have flown with various low-cost carriers over the years, but I have never felt this unsafe, uncomfortable, and stressed.
Did You Like This Transavia Airlines Review?
Sign up for our newsletter to receive more exclusive tips and insights straight to your inbox!
