Over the years, Transavia has won over many Europeans with its value for money and extensive network of destinations, making it an attractive option for travelers looking for an affordable flying experience in and around Europe. Its limited fleet, however, is often the cause of some negative reviews. But what is it like to fly with the airline? Milesopedia now reviews the low-cost airline Transavia France.
In November 2006, a new era of low-cost air travel began with the creation of Transavia, a French low-cost airline born from the collaboration between Air France and Transavia Holland. Since then, Transavia, a 100% subsidiary of Air France-KLM, has been charting its own course, successfully adapting to fluctuations in the tourism market.
Unlike Air France, which specializes in long-haul flights, Transavia specializes in domestic and leisure flights.
In the Skytrax – Best Low Cost Airline 2024 ranking, Transavia came second as the best low-cost airline in Europe and fifth worldwide. This position demonstrates Transavia’s continued commitment to offer affordable travel without compromising on quality, making it a key player in the European aviation sector.
And in addition to affordable flights, Transavia works with various partners to offer a range of complementary services, from hotel reservations to transfers and car rentals.
Transavia offers a range of short and medium-haul flights at highly competitive fares, connecting France, the Netherlands and Belgium to a vast array of leisure destinations. Departures are operated from key airports such as Paris Orly, Nantes, Lyon, Montpellier, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Eindhoven and Brussels, with over 120 destinations throughout France, Europe and the Mediterranean basin.
The company has four operational bases in France, each offering unique connections to different destinations:
Here are all the destinations served by Transavia in Europe, the Middle East and Africa:
The Transavia fleet is characterized by its simplicity. It offers only one class, Economy, making it the ideal option for both leisure and domestic destinations. Passengers requiring more space can reserve an extra seat by contacting customer service.
The Transavia fleet is mainly made up of Boeing 737-700s and Boeing 737-800s, offering 189 seats and measuring 39.5 meters in length. These aircraft are suitable for short- and medium-haul flights, enabling Transavia to serve a wide range of destinations in Europe. While the emphasis is on simplicity, the company strives to provide safe and convenient travel for its passengers.
The low-cost airline offers three different fare options, all of which cater to different needs:
The Basic fare includes:
For additional luggage or seat reservations, please visit My Transavia. Reservations can be changed up to 2 hours before departure, subject to payment.
At the time of booking, you can select the Flex option, at 10 euros per person per trip. This allows you to change your flight up to 12 hours before departure, with no change fees. Only the fare difference will be charged. If you did not choose this option when you purchased your ticket, the modification fee will be over 50 euros, plus the difference in fare with the original ticket.
With the Basic fare, passengers can earn Flying Blue Miles according to their status:
You can also earn experience points (XP) based on the distance you fly:
The Plus rate includes:
With the Plus fare, passengers can earn Flying Blue Miles according to their status:
The Plus fare includes a standard seat of your choice. To reserve a seat with more legroom, passengers will have to pay a supplement. Again, there is no change fee if the change is made more than 14 days prior to departure. A difference in price between the original ticket and the new one will be charged though.
Max fare includes:
With the Max fare, passengers can earn Flying Blue Miles according to their status:
Fast Track Queuing is available to anyone with a Max Fare ticket traveling from one of the airports listed below. Please note, however, that this benefit is only available if you arrive on time and depart from one of the following airports:
Transavia’s in-flight entertainment options are very limited. As there are no screens, no films are shown during Transavia flights. Only an in-flight magazine offering a series of reports from across Europe, tips to share, unusual activities and exclusive interviews is available to passengers.
In-flight meals may be served, but are not included in the ticket price. These are not free of charge. The menu changes with the seasons, but snacks such as vegetarian miso noodles, pocket pizzas, bulgur salads and penne with tomato sauce are available in a 10-euro menu version. There’s also a children’s menu, available for 6 euros.
As quantities are limited, it is not unusual for certain products to be discontinued. So it’s a good idea not to travel with empty pockets.
The low-cost airline does not have its own frequent flyer program. Flying Blue is Transavia’s loyalty program, just like KLM and Air France.
Launched in 2005, the program allows frequent flyers to enjoy exclusive benefits and attractive rewards, and to earn Miles when traveling with Air France–KLM‘s partner airlines. These miles can then be redeemed for airline tickets, award tickets, upgrades and more.
The Flying Blue program is divided into four levels. Members receive additional benefits when they reach certain mileage thresholds. The levels are Explorer, Silver, Gold and Platinum, each offering privileges such as lounge access, additional baggage allowance and priority boarding.
In addition to earning Miles on flights, Flying Blue also offers opportunities to earn Miles through a network of partners, including hotels, car rentals, restaurants and financial services such as American Express.
Holders of American Express and Air France KLM American Express cards can earn even more miles, making them particularly attractive for travelers who have reached (or would like to reach!) a level in the Flying Blue loyalty program.
Air France–KLM ‘s low-cost airline has won over many travelers with its attractive fares. Transavia offers a wide range of destinations in France, Europe and the Mediterranean to meet the diverse needs of European travelers.
Transavia stands out for its efficient service, from online booking to boarding. Cabin crew are often praised for their friendliness and professionalism, creating a pleasant atmosphere on board.
The company also offers flexible rebooking options, a benefit rarely offered by a low-cost airline.
Finally, the ability to earn Flying Blue Miles with the Air France–KLM frequent flyer program is a particularly attractive benefit for frequent flyers.
Some travelers have negative reviews of Transavia, reporting recurring flight delays and communication problems with airline staff when seeking information about delays or flight changes.
Additional costs, which can add up quickly when booking, can also be a source of dissatisfaction for some passengers. Some may be surprised by the additional baggage charges or the cost of changing their reservations.
In terms of in-flight comfort, the seats are narrow and legroom is limited, which can be uncomfortable, especially on longer flights. Our Review on Transavia’s Boeing 737-800s is therefore mixed, but as the airline specializes in domestic, short- and medium-haul flights, the space available is not particularly large. For long-haul flights, you’d be better off flying with Air France for maximum comfort.
You can contact Transavia via Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp or email. If you prefer to speak with a live agent, you can contact customer service at:
No meals are offered on Transavia flights. However, it is possible to order food on board, at an additional cost.
Transavia’s head office is in Paray-Vieille-Poste, France.
Transavia France has been part of the Air France Group since 2006.
Air France is behind Transavia. The French airline has owned the low-cost airline since 2006.
All passengers travelling with Transavia are entitled to one piece of single-access baggage measuring 40 x 30 x 20 cm. Depending on the fare paid, some passengers may also be entitled to a hold bag and a carry-on bag measuring 55 x 35 x 25 cm.
To qualify for priority boarding with Transavia, passengers must select the Max fare, the most expensive fare option.
Yes, we think Transavia France is one of the best low-cost airlines in Europe.
According to the Skytrax ranking – Best Low Cost Airline 2023, Transavia ranks sixth among the world’s best low-cost airlines, while Vueling ranks twelfth, just behind EasyJet, but just ahead of Ryanair.
When you buy a ticket from Transavia, you can purchase travel insurance from the airline’s partner Chubb for an additional fee. Although this is a reassuring option, we recommend that you take out Allianz Travel insurance or a bank card offering related insurance, such as American Express France or BoursoBank cards, which offer a particularly attractive welcome bonus. Subscriptions are generally cheaper and much more attractive.
Savings are here:
