Was your Transavia flight cancelled last minute?
What is a last-minute flight cancellation? What are your rights?
European law, specifically Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, protects passengers in case of flight cancellations. This regulation has been in place for over a decade and requires Transavia and other European airlines to take responsibility for finding a suitable solution and taking care of passengers in the event of flight delays and other disruptions.
1. Transavia Flight Cancellation: Last-Minute Flight Cancellation
Was your Transavia flight cancelled last minute?
If Transavia cancels your flight, they must provide assistance and a new flight.
- Transavia is obligated to provide you with assistance in case of flight cancellation resulting in a lengthy wait at the airport. If you have to wait for three hours, you’ll receive a meal coupon. In case of an overnight wait, Transavia provides free hotel accommodation and transfer. Read more about this in our “right to care” guide.
- Transavia must offer you a new flight to your destination. It must be provided free of charge.
- Or you can ask for a refund. If you decide not to take the replacement flight offered to you, you are entitled to a full refund from Transavia. This refund may be either transferred to your bank account, or issued as a refundable Transavia voucher. Keep in mind that you don’t have to accept a voucher if you don’t want to.
- You can claim flight cancellation compensation from Transavia if the flight was cancelled up to 2 weeks before the original departure date and if the flight cancellation was Transavia’s fault.
If your Transavia flight was cancelled and you missed your connection, you might be able to get compensation. Check out our guide that explains Transavia’s missed connection compensation rules. Basically, the rules are similar to those for flight delays. You need to calculate the difference between your originally scheduled arrival time and your actual arrival time at your destination.
These compensation rules apply to all Transavia flights.
By Europe and EU here on this page (and on this website in general) we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
2. What to Do if Your Flight Is Cancelled Last-Minute?
If your Transavia flight gets cancelled last-minute, the steps you need to take will vary based on whether you are already at the airport or not.
2.1 If You Are Still at Home or Hotel
If your flight has been cancelled and you are still at home or a hotel, it is best to remain there for the time being. Contact Transavia customer service to determine the next steps.
As we stated before, Transavia will offer help by informing you about your options. You may be able to depart on the same day or the day after, depending on flight availability. Also, you can ask for a flight with a different airline.
If the cancellation happened because of extraordinary circumstances, you have the right to receive care, a free alternative flight to your destination, or a refund if you prefer.
If the cancellation happened due to the airline’s fault, in addition to the options mentioned before, you may be entitled to flight cancellation compensation.
2.2 If You Are Already at the Airport
If your flight got cancelled and you’re already at the airport, don’t go through security.
Why not? Because a new flight ticket will be issued to you. This means you’ll have to check in again and get a new boarding pass. If you have checked-in baggage, you’ll need to check it in again. Also, you’ll need to go through passport control again. If you’ve already gone through security, try to go back to the public access area of the airport. Ask at an information counter on how can you get back to the public access zone.
To get information on the next course of action, it is crucial to get in touch with Transavia’s airport representatives. They will provide you with guidance and assistance, which may include offering an alternative flight to your destination or providing you with a full refund. Additionally, they may also provide you with care if needed.
3. Transavia Flight Cancellation Compensation
What is a last-minute flight cancellation?
Can you get compensation if your flight is cancelled last-minute?
If Transavia cancels your flight less than 2 weeks before the scheduled departure date, you may be entitled to compensation according to EU flight compensation regulations.
Your flight is cancelled 7 – 14 days before the scheduled time of departure:
- You choose a new flight offered by Transavia, which departs not more than 2 hours before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 4 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
- In other situations you are entitled to compensation.
Your flight is cancelled less than 7 days before the scheduled time of departure:
- You choose a new flight offered by Transavia, which departs not more than 1 hour before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 2 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
- In other situations you are entitled to compensation.
Conditions for claiming compensation:
- Your flight was cancelled by Transavia 0-14 days before departure,
- The cancellation was caused by Transavia’s fault,
- The flight must be to, from, or within Europe.
Read more: Transavia Flight Cancellation Compensation
4. Transavia Flight Cancellation Refund
Should a Transavia flight get cancelled, passengers are entitled to either a rescheduled flight to their final destination or a full refund. The method of refund can be either through your bank account or in the form of a Transavia voucher. Your choice would typically be influenced by your individual scenario and prospective travel plans.
Transavia ensures that your refund will be processed within 7 days.
It’s crucial to note that the right to compensation and the right to a refund are separate under UK/EU flight compensation regulations. Consequently, even if you opt for a refund, depending on the specifics of the flight cancellation, you may still qualify for compensation.
4.1 What Happens If You Cancel a Flight?
If you, as a passenger, choose to cancel your flight, the refund conditions differ. Broadly, the refund policy of Transavia is shaped by the kind of ticket you’ve bought.
Depending on the fare rules, fully-flexible tickets are often refundable, whereas low-cost, non-flexible tickets might not be. It’s always recommended to review the specific terms linked to your ticket or contact Transavia’s customer service for more information. If your travel insurance covers cancellations, you might be able to retrieve a refund through your insurance provider.
5. How to Claim Transavia Flight Compensation / Refund?
If your flight has been cancelled, you will receive an email from Transavia.
The email will outline two options: either rebook for another Transavia flight on a different date, or request a refund. Follow the instructions provided in the email to request a refund from the airline.
In case of a flight cancellation, Transavia may owe you compensation. It’s crucial to submit a claim to receive it. Failing to do so will result in no compensation. You can reach out to Transavia customer service to file your claim. According to EC Regulation 261, if your flight is disrupted, you are entitled to last-minute flight cancellation compensation ranging from 250 to 600 euros. This compensation must be paid directly into your bank account.
If you want the simplest option, you can opt for legal representation. This means a flight compensation company will handle everything for you, including making a compensation claim and managing the entire process. Our partners offer such services.
When choosing this option, here is all you will have to do:
And that’s it — the rest is handled by professionals.
* Your boarding pass and passport or ID copy.
Read more:
- Your Transavia Compensation Claim Is Rejected. What’s Next?
- Your Transavia Refund Is Taking Forever? Here’s Your Plan of Action
6. Why Airlines Cancel Flights at the Last Minute?
One of the main reasons for last-minute flight cancellations is due to aircraft malfunctions.
Like every other transportation, commercial flights are mechanically operated, and the slightest technical issue can affect passengers’ safety. Airlines perform regular maintenance and repair work to avoid these situations, but mistakes can still occur at any time. In such circumstances, airlines prioritize safety and cancel flights.
Another reason for sudden flight cancellations is weather changes. Safety is paramount for airlines, and certain weather conditions like fog, heavy snowfall, or storms can be a reason for airlines to cancel flights. Though airlines try to maintain regular operations during storms by increasing delays, there comes a point when their operation is no longer safe, leading to flight cancellations.
Air traffic congestion is another common cause of the last-minute cancellation of flights. During peak periods when airports are busy, pilot schedules, air traffic restrictions, and mechanical issues can all contribute to cancellations. Flight cancellations due to air traffic congestion may happen to prevent longer delays amidst tight schedules.
Mechanical problems caused by third parties may also lead to flight cancellations. This could be due to airport delays, ground crew problems, or air traffic restrictions implemented by local authorities. When such a problem arises, airlines may have to cancel a flight or cut back on schedules to avoid creating a domino effect of complications.
Last-minute flight cancellation – have you ever experienced that? How did the airline solve that? Do you still have questions about Transavia compensation policies? Ask in the comments.