Transavia (ICAO: TBA) is a Dutch low-cost airline that operates scheduled and charter flights to numerous leisure destinations across Europe, North Africa, and the Atlantic islands. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of KLM, it is part of the broader Air France-KLM group.
Transavia was founded on October 21, 1965, initially as Transavia Limburg SA, and commenced its first commercial flight in 1966. Over the years, it evolved into Transavia Airlines and has grown to become a significant low-cost carrier in Europe. Its primary operational base is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), with other key bases including Rotterdam The Hague Airport and Eindhoven Airport in the Netherlands, and Paris-Orly Airport (ORY) in France.
The airline operates a modern fleet primarily composed of Boeing 737-800 aircraft, and has recently begun integrating Airbus A321neo and Airbus A320neo (for Transavia France) into its fleet. This transition aims to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. Transavia's route network extends to over 100 destinations, primarily focusing on popular holiday spots around Mediterranean Europe, North Africa, and various Atlantic islands like the Canaries and Madeira. While Transavia is part of the Air France-KLM group, it does not hold direct membership in major airline alliances like Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld as an independent entity. As a low-cost carrier, Transavia offers a base ticket price with various additional services and amenities available for purchase. Skytrax rates Transavia as a 3-Star Low-Cost Airline, noting a standard onboard product with limited complimentary food and beverage options, and a typical low-cost carrier seat pitch of around 29 inches.
Traveler reviews for Transavia present a mixed but generally average sentiment for a low-cost airline.
What Travelers Love:
Common Complaints:
Overall, Transavia is often chosen for its budget-friendly options. However, the travel experience can be marred by operational disruptions, such as delays and cancellations, and inconsistent customer service regarding issue resolution.
Transavia maintains a strong safety record, with no reported fatalities or complete loss of aircraft throughout its history. While incidents have occurred, such as a Boeing 737-300 rudder issue and a Boeing 757-200 landing incident in 1997, neither resulted in fatalities. More recent reports detail various operational incidents like nose tire damage on landing, engine shutdowns, bird strikes, and temporary loss of communication, which are typical occurrences in aviation and handled without major accidents.
Transavia Airlines received the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification in 2008, signifying its adherence to internationally recognized and stringent aviation safety standards. Transavia France also obtained IOSA accreditation in early 2009 and complies with French and European regulatory standards, including JAR OPS and EASA Part 145 for operations and maintenance. The airline operates a modern fleet, actively replacing older Boeing 737s with more fuel-efficient and quieter Airbus A321neo and A320neo aircraft, which contributes to a contemporary fleet age and maintenance profile. Based on available data, Transavia receives a high safety rating of 7/7 from AirlineRatings.com.
In terms of safety awards and recognitions, Transavia has been acknowledged for its proactive approach to safety. The airline won the "Safety Initiative of the Year 2024" for its innovative Training Truck, which enables realistic emergency training for crew anywhere, anytime. Additionally, in 2023, Transavia, in collaboration with KLM, received the same award for their joint "No Fly List" initiative aimed at managing aggressive passengers. In 2025, Transavia again received the "Safety Initiative of the Year" award for a training course focused on aggression and de-escalation. The airline also received a "Short Haul Punctuality Award" in Brussels in 2025 for its on-time performance.
| Route | Destination | Flights | Distance | Aircraft | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LXA → CTU |
Chengdu Shuangliu Int'l
Chengdu
|
74 | 786 mi | A330 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| XNN → YUS |
Ba Tong
Ba Tong
|
57 | 382 mi | A319 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| LXA → NGQ |
Ngari Gunsa
Shiquanhe
|
54 | 674 mi | A319 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| GYS → LXA |
Lhasa Gonggar
Lhasa
|
45 | 903 mi | A319 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| LXA → BPX |
Qamdo Bangda
Bangda
|
40 | 381 mi | A19N | Dec 10, 2025 |
| LXA → XIY |
Xi'an Xianyang Int'l
Xi'an
|
37 | 1105 mi | A19N | Dec 10, 2025 |
| MIG → SZX |
Shenzhen Bao'an Int'l
Shenzhen
|
36 | 825 mi | A319 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| CKG → LXA |
Lhasa Gonggar
Lhasa
|
35 | 947 mi | A319 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| MIG → LXA |
Lhasa Gonggar
Lhasa
|
32 | 838 mi | A19N | Dec 3, 2025 |
| MIG → NKG |
Nanjing Lukou Int'l
Nanjing
|
31 | 832 mi | A319 | Nov 7, 2025 |
| XNN → CGO |
Zhengzhou Xinzheng Int'l
Zhengzhou
|
30 | 678 mi | A319 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| YUS → XNN |
Xining Caojiabu
Xining
|
30 | 382 mi | A319 | Dec 1, 2025 |
| LZO → HGH |
Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int'l
Hangzhou
|
29 | 911 mi | A319 | Nov 28, 2025 |
| DZH → NKG |
Nanjing Lukou Int'l
Nanjing
|
29 | 676 mi | A319 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| DZH → LXA |
Lhasa Gonggar
Lhasa
|
27 | 995 mi | A319 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| XNN → GMQ |
Golog
Golog
|
27 | 176 mi | A319 | Dec 6, 2025 |
| LXA → XNN |
Xining Caojiabu
Xining
|
26 | 816 mi | A319 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| XNN → LXA |
Lhasa Gonggar
Lhasa
|
25 | 816 mi | A319 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| LXA → YBP |
Yibin
Yibin
|
24 | 825 mi | A319 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| XNN → CTU |
Chengdu Shuangliu Int'l
Chengdu
|
24 | 426 mi | A319 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| HFE → CTU |
Chengdu Shuangliu Int'l
Chengdu
|
24 | 777 mi | A320 | Dec 6, 2025 |
| LXA → MIG |
Mianyang Nanjiao
Mianyang
|
24 | 838 mi | A319 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| YBP → HGH |
Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int'l
Hangzhou
|
22 | 961 mi | A319 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| GYS → NKG |
Nanjing Lukou Int'l
Nanjing
|
22 | 772 mi | A319 | Dec 2, 2025 |
| LXA → PEK |
Beijing Capital Int'l
Beijing
|
21 | 1631 mi | A319 | Dec 10, 2025 |
Airline statistics are based on flight route observations collected from FlightAware AeroAPI and other sources. Flight counts represent observed operations, not scheduled frequencies. Route data is continuously updated as new flight information becomes available.