If you miss a Transavia Airlines flight, the airline’s policies, as outlined in their General Conditions of Carriage and applicable regulations such as EU Regulation 261/2004, will apply. Transavia, a Dutch low-cost airline and subsidiary of the Air France-KLM Group, operates from bases in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Eindhoven, serving destinations across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Below is an overview of what happens and your options when you miss a flight, based on available information.
No-Show Policy
If you miss your flight without notifying Transavia Airlines at least two hours before departure, you are considered a "no-show." This results in the forfeiture of the ticket value, as most Transavia fares, such as Basic or Plus, are non-refundable. Subsequent flights in your itinerary, such as return or onward flights, may be canceled, as the airline treats the itinerary as a single contract.
- Notification: To avoid no-show penalties, contact Transavia at least two hours before departure via their Service Centre, My Transavia portal, mobile app, or airport counter. Prompt notification may allow rebooking or preserve the validity of remaining flight segments.
- Fees: No-show results in the loss of the ticket value for non-refundable fares. Rebooking requires purchasing a new ticket, with a change fee per person per flight plus any fare difference. Flexible fares like Max or Flex may allow changes with a reduced fee.
- Impact on Itinerary: Missing a flight may lead to the cancellation of the entire reservation, including connecting or return flights, unless you contact Transavia to confirm travel on subsequent flights.
Rebooking Options
If you miss a flight due to reasons within your control, rebooking is possible but subject to availability and fare rules. You can manage changes through the My Transavia portal, mobile app, Service Centre, or airport counter. Additional charges may include:
- Change Fee: Basic fares incur a change fee per person per flight, plus any fare difference. Plus fares require only the fare difference if changed more than fourteen days before departure; within fourteen days, a change fee applies. Max fares require only the fare difference. Changes are not permitted after check-in.
- Fare Difference: You must pay any difference between the original fare and the new flight’s fare. No refund is provided if the new fare is lower.
- Flex Option: If you purchased the Flex option at booking, you can change your flight’s date or time up to one year from the original booking, subject to availability, with a fee per person per flight. This does not apply to missed flights but can prevent no-shows if used proactively.
- Standby: Transavia does not explicitly offer a standby policy for missed flights. If you arrive at the airport shortly after missing your flight, rebooking on the next available flight requires a new ticket purchase, subject to availability and fees.
Transavia does not sell connecting flights (self-transfers), so if you miss a connection due to a delay caused by Transavia, and the flights are on separate bookings, the airline is not responsible for rebooking. You must purchase a new ticket. If both flights are on the same booking, Transavia will rebook you on the next available flight at no additional cost, as required by EU Regulation 261/2004 for flights departing from the EU, and may provide meals, accommodation, or transport for significant delays within their control.
Compensation and Refunds
Refunds or compensation for missed flights are limited due to Transavia’s low-cost model:
- Non-Refundable Tickets: Basic and Plus fares are non-refundable if you miss the flight, resulting in the loss of the ticket value. Max fares may allow cancellations with a fee before departure.
- Refundable Tickets: Flexible fares like Max or Flex may allow cancellations or changes before departure, subject to a fee. Refunds are processed to the original payment method.
- 24-Hour Cancellation Rule: For bookings to or from the U.S., you can cancel within twenty-four hours of purchase for a full refund, regardless of fare type, if booked at least seven days before departure. This does not apply to missed flights but can prevent no-shows if you anticipate missing the flight.
- Airline-Caused Delays: If you miss a connecting flight due to a Transavia delay within their control and arrive three or more hours late, you may be entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004 for flights departing from the EU or operated by Transavia, ranging from one hundred twenty-five euros to six hundred euros, depending on flight distance. You may also request a refund for the unused ticket portion or rebooking without fees. Submit claims via the Transavia website’s online form or Service Centre.
- Airport Taxes and Fees: If you miss a flight, you can request a refund for passenger-related taxes imposed by airports and governments within three months of the travel date, subject to an administration fee per canceled booking. For flights purchased in Israel between October and July, a class action settlement allows tax refunds for unused flights, subject to a six-month request period.
- Cancellation Insurance: If you have cancellation insurance, you may request a no-show statement via My Transavia to claim a refund through your insurer, covering the ticket cost.
Steps to Take if You Miss a Flight
If you miss your flight, follow these steps:
- Contact Transavia Airlines immediately via their Service Centre, My Transavia portal, mobile app, or airport counter to explore rebooking options or confirm travel on subsequent flights.
- Review your ticket’s fare rules on the Transavia website under My Transavia to understand applicable fees and refund eligibility.
- If the missed flight was due to an airline-caused delay, submit a compensation or refund request via the Transavia website’s online form or Service Centre, providing your booking reference and supporting documents like receipts or boarding passes.
- For tickets purchased through a travel agent, contact the agent directly for changes or refunds, as verification may be required.
- Check in online twenty-four hours to two hours before departure, as check-in counters close thirty minutes before departure for domestic flights and forty-five minutes for international flights, to avoid missing deadlines.
Additional Information
For flights departing from the EU or operated by Transavia arriving in the EU, if you miss a connecting flight due to an airline-caused delay and arrive three or more hours late, you may be entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004, provided the delay was within Transavia’s control (e.g., technical issues or staffing). Compensation is not provided for extraordinary circumstances, such as weather, air traffic control issues, or security risks. Customer reviews on platforms like Reddit and Rick Steves Travel Forum highlight challenges with Transavia’s customer service, including slow response times, difficulty obtaining refunds, and inadequate assistance for missed flights or delays. For example, passengers report issues with system errors in the Flex option leading to missed flights and unhelpful staff at service desks. Transavia’s low-cost model emphasizes self-service, so using the My Transavia portal is recommended for managing bookings.
