Transavia Compensation Guide: Claim Up to €600 for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Transavia is the low-cost arm of the Air France-KLM group, operating primarily from the Netherlands and France to sun destinations across Southern Europe, North Africa, and beyond. If your Transavia flight was delayed by 3 hours or more, cancelled without adequate notice, or you were denied boarding, you could be entitled to compensation of up to €600 under EU Regulation EC 261/2004.

Here's your complete guide to claiming Transavia compensation.

How EC 261/2004 Applies to Transavia

Transavia operates as two entities: Transavia Netherlands (based at Amsterdam Schiphol and Eindhoven) and Transavia France (based at Paris Orly). Both are EU-based airlines, which means EC 261/2004 applies to all their flights — departures from any airport and arrivals into the EU.

This broad coverage means whether you're flying from Amsterdam to Barcelona, Paris to Marrakech, or Rotterdam to Faro, you're protected.

Compensation Amounts

| Flight Distance | Amount | Example Routes | |---|---|---| | Up to 1,500 km | €250 | Amsterdam–London, Paris–Barcelona | | 1,500 – 3,500 km | €400 | Amsterdam–Tenerife, Paris–Marrakech | | Over 3,500 km | €600 | Rare for Transavia, but possible |

Transavia's network is mostly short to medium-haul, so most claims fall in the €250–€400 range. For a couple travelling together, that's €500–€800.

When Can You Claim?

Delays of 3+ Hours

If your Transavia flight arrived 3 or more hours late at your final destination, you're entitled to compensation. The clock stops when the aircraft doors open at the gate — not when the wheels touch the runway.

Cancellations

Transavia must pay compensation for cancelled flights unless:

• They notified you at least 14 days before departure, OR
• They offered a suitable alternative flight within specific time windows

If you learned about the cancellation at the airport or received very short notice, you're almost certainly owed compensation.

Denied Boarding

If Transavia sold more tickets than seats (overbooking) and you couldn't board, you're immediately entitled to compensation plus the choice of a refund or rebooking.

Transavia and the Dutch/French Connection

Flying from the Netherlands

Transavia is a major presence at Amsterdam Schiphol, Eindhoven, Rotterdam The Hague, and Groningen. Dutch travellers heading to Mediterranean destinations — Greece, Spain, Portugal, Turkey — make up a huge share of Transavia's traffic.

Schiphol congestion is a recurring issue. Since 2022, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has faced repeated capacity problems, particularly during school holidays and summer peaks. These airport-side constraints have caused significant Transavia disruptions. While some may qualify as extraordinary circumstances, many operational issues at Schiphol are foreseeable and within the airline's ability to manage.

Dutch enforcement: The ILT (Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport) is the Netherlands' National Enforcement Body for EC 261. They can be contacted if Transavia rejects your claim. The Netherlands also has accessible small claims procedures through the Rechtbank (district court).

Flying from France

Transavia France operates heavily from Paris Orly, Nantes, Lyon, and Montpellier. French passengers benefit from particularly strong consumer protection:

French courts have a well-established track record of ruling in favour of passengers in EC 261 cases. The French DGAC (Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile) oversees enforcement, and the process is generally passenger-friendly.

French time limits: You have 5 years to file a claim for flights departing from France — one of the most generous windows in Europe.

How to File a Transavia Compensation Claim

Step 1: Document the Disruption

Gather your booking confirmation, boarding pass, and any evidence of the delay or cancellation. Screenshots of the Transavia app, email notifications, and photos of departure boards all help.

Step 2: Contact Transavia

Transavia has an online claims form on their website. Select "Compensation" or "Claim" under the customer service section. Provide your booking reference, flight details, and a clear description of what happened.

Important: Transavia Netherlands and Transavia France have separate customer service processes. Make sure you're filing with the correct entity — check which Transavia operated your flight (the flight number prefix helps: HV for Netherlands, TO for France).

Step 3: Allow Time for Response

Transavia typically responds within 30 days, but delays are common during busy periods. If you haven't heard back within 6 weeks, send a follow-up referencing your original claim.

Step 4: Escalate if Necessary

If rejected or ignored:

• Netherlands flights: Contact the ILT or use the SGRC (consumer disputes committee)
• French flights: Contact the DGAC or use a médiation service
• Any Transavia flight: Use FlightOwed to handle the process for you, including legal escalation

Common Issues with Transavia Claims

Weather on Mediterranean Routes

Transavia flies heavily to destinations like Crete, Rhodes, Faro, and the Canary Islands. Weather-related disruptions do occur, and Transavia will cite them when possible. However, "weather" is only a valid excuse when it directly and specifically affected your flight's ability to operate safely. A storm at your destination that cleared hours before departure doesn't count.

Schiphol Slot Restrictions

Transavia sometimes blames Schiphol's slot restrictions for delays. While airport-imposed capacity limits can be extraordinary circumstances in some cases, airlines that have operated from Schiphol for years are expected to plan for known congestion issues. The argument weakens when the disruption was foreseeable.

Crew Availability

Staff shortages and crew scheduling problems are the airline's operational responsibility. If Transavia says your flight was delayed because they couldn't find crew, that's almost never extraordinary circumstances.

The "We Already Provided Care" Defence

Transavia sometimes argues that providing meals and hotel accommodation during a disruption means they've fulfilled their obligations. This is incorrect — duty of care and financial compensation are separate entitlements under EC 261. You're owed both.

Tips for Transavia Passengers

1. Check both Transavia entities. If you're unsure whether Transavia Netherlands or France operated your flight, check your booking confirmation or the flight number prefix.

2. Use Schiphol's own data. Amsterdam Airport publishes operational data that can help verify delays. Flight tracking sites like Flightradar24 are also invaluable.

3. File in the right jurisdiction. For Transavia Netherlands flights, Dutch law applies. For Transavia France, French law. This affects time limits and enforcement options.

4. Claim per passenger. Every person on the booking — adults, children, even infants with a seat — has an individual right to compensation.

5. Don't forget duty of care. If Transavia didn't provide meals, drinks, or accommodation during a long delay, keep your receipts and claim these expenses separately.

6. Act within time limits. Netherlands: 2 years (under Dutch case law, though some argue 5 years). France: 5 years. Don't delay unnecessarily.

Your Right to Care During Disruptions

Whatever the cause of your Transavia delay, the airline must provide:

• Meals and refreshments proportionate to the waiting time
• Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is required
• Transport between the airport and hotel
• Communication means (two phone calls, emails, or faxes)

These obligations apply even if the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances. Compensation and duty of care are separate rights.

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Explore more airline-specific guides or read our FAQ for answers to common questions about flight compensation in the EU.