Transavia Holland Airlines (ICAO: TRA) is a Dutch low-cost carrier and a subsidiary of KLM, forming part of the larger Air France-KLM group. It primarily focuses on scheduled and charter services to leisure destinations across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
Transavia was founded in 1965 as Transavia Holland, with its first commercial flight taking off in November 1966. Initially operating as a charter airline, it began its first scheduled service in 1986. Since 2003, Transavia has been a wholly owned subsidiary of KLM, integrating into the Air France-KLM group in 2004.
The airline's main operational base is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS). It also maintains other significant bases within the Netherlands at Rotterdam The Hague Airport and Eindhoven Airport. Additionally, Transavia operates from several bases in France, including Paris-Orly Airport (ORY), through its subsidiary Transavia France, and from Brussels Airport in Belgium. The airline's route network encompasses over 100 destinations across more than 25 countries, concentrating on short- and medium-haul flights.
Transavia primarily operates a fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The airline is currently undergoing a fleet renewal program, transitioning to Airbus A320neo family aircraft, specifically introducing the Airbus A321neo to replace its Boeing 737 fleet. As a low-cost carrier, Transavia operates with a single Economy Class cabin. While it is not a member of major airline alliances like Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld, it is part of the Flying Blue frequent flyer program, shared with Air France and KLM. The airline offers various fare types (Basic, Plus, Max) that allow for different baggage allowances and seat selection options, and provides a "Selection on Board" service for purchasing food and drinks.
Traveler reviews for Transavia Holland Airlines present a mixed, but often critical, perspective on their experiences.
What Travelers Love:
Common Complaints:
Overall sentiment regarding Transavia is largely negative, despite its low-cost appeal and direct routes. While some travelers find it suitable for its price point and appreciate the staff, a significant number of reviews highlight dissatisfaction with operational inefficiencies, stringent and unclear baggage rules, and unhelpful customer service, particularly during irregular operations.
Transavia Holland Airlines maintains a strong safety record, with no reported fatalities or complete loss of aircraft throughout its operational history. Airline Ratings gives Transavia a safety rating of 7/7.
While the airline has not experienced any fatal accidents, there have been notable incidents. In 1997, a Boeing 737-300 sustained substantial damage after an elevator push/pull rod broke, leading to an emergency landing. Another incident in 1997 involved a Boeing 757-200 that was seriously damaged during a hard landing in strong winds. More recent incidents in 2025 include occurrences such as flight control problems, engine issues, bird strikes, and temporary loss of radar and radio contact. The Dutch Safety Board also investigated serious aircraft incidents in 2014 and 2015 concerning take-off performance safety margins for Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
As a Dutch airline and part of the Air France-KLM group, Transavia operates under strict European aviation safety regulations. While specific mentions of IOSA or FAA compliance were not found in the search results, its operations within the highly regulated EU aviation environment imply adherence to rigorous safety standards. The airline is not listed on any EU safety blacklists.
Transavia is committed to maintaining a modern and fuel-efficient fleet, with regular updates to ensure passenger comfort and safety. The current transition from Boeing 737s to the Airbus A320neo family demonstrates ongoing investment in fleet modernization.
The overall safety assessment for Transavia is positive, considering its long history without fatal accidents and its high safety rating from independent organizations. The airline has also received several safety-related awards:
| Route | Destination | Flights | Distance | Aircraft | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTM → ALC |
Alicante
Alicante / Benidorm / Costa Blanca
|
114 | 976 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| RTM → AGP |
Malaga
Malaga
|
109 | 1144 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| RTM → FAO |
Faro
Faro / Algarve Int. Faro
|
76 | 1197 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| FNC → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
65 | 1731 mi | A21N | Dec 10, 2025 |
| IBZ → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
63 | 943 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| AMS → ALC |
Alicante
Alicante / Benidorm / Costa Blanca
|
59 | 1003 mi | A21N | Dec 11, 2025 |
| PVK → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
56 | 1201 mi | A21N | Oct 25, 2025 |
| FAO → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
55 | 1225 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| EIN → AGP |
Malaga
Malaga
|
53 | 1131 mi | B738 | Nov 8, 2025 |
| AMS → AGP |
Malaga
Malaga
|
53 | 1172 mi | A21N | Dec 11, 2025 |
| RTM → IBZ |
Ibiza
Ibiza Island / Eivisa
|
52 | 917 mi | B738 | Oct 23, 2025 |
| PSA → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
50 | 650 mi | B738 | Nov 30, 2025 |
| IBZ → EIN |
Eindhoven
Eindhoven
|
49 | 891 mi | B738 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| EIN → ALC |
Alicante
Alicante / Benidorm / Costa Blanca
|
48 | 955 mi | B738 | Nov 8, 2025 |
| AMS → FAO |
Faro
Faro / Algarve Int. Faro
|
48 | 1225 mi | A21N | Dec 5, 2025 |
| AMS → BCN |
Barcelona Int'l
Barcelona
|
46 | 772 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| AMS → IBZ |
Ibiza
Ibiza Island / Eivisa
|
46 | 943 mi | A21N | Nov 17, 2025 |
| SKG → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
43 | 1185 mi | A21N | Dec 8, 2025 |
| RTM → BCN |
Barcelona Int'l
Barcelona
|
43 | 746 mi | B738 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| ZTH → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
40 | 1273 mi | A21N | Oct 12, 2025 |
| EIN → VLC |
Valencia
Manises
|
38 | 874 mi | B738 | Nov 7, 2025 |
| NDR → RTM |
Rotterdam
Rotterdam
|
38 | 1230 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| TFS → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
38 | 2005 mi | A21N | Dec 1, 2025 |
| ALC → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
37 | 1003 mi | A21N | Dec 10, 2025 |
| RTM → VLC |
Valencia
Manises
|
37 | 894 mi | B738 | 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.