What to Do if Your Transavia Flight Is Overbooked?

You’ve arrived at the airport on time. Your documents are in perfect order — valid passport, required visa, and a boarding pass in hand. Yet, despite everything being correct, you’re suddenly told you can’t board the flight.

In most cases, this happens because of overbooking — the airline has sold more tickets than there are seats, everyone has shown up, and now there simply aren’t enough seats for all passengers.

What to do if your Transavia flight is overbooked and you are denied boarding?

Continue reading to understand your rights and next steps.

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What to Do if Your Transavia Flight Is Overbooked?

If you’re unsure how to handle a denied boarding situation, this guide explains exactly what to do if your Transavia flight is overbooked.

Don’t Volunteer — Compensation Only Applies to Involuntary Denied Boarding

When a flight is overbooked, you may either be denied boarding involuntarily or be asked to give up your seat voluntarily — and this difference determines whether you qualify for compensation.

• Involuntary denied boarding. This happens when you are not given a choice and the airline refuses to let you board, even though you arrived on time with valid travel documents. In this situation, you are usually entitled to EU denied boarding compensation, along with a refund or a new flight and the right to care.
• Voluntary denied boarding. Sometimes airlines offer perks — such as vouchers, travel credits, discounts, or hotel stays — in exchange for giving up your seat. If you agree to volunteer, this is considered voluntary denied boarding. In this case, you cannot claim denied boarding compensation, because you accepted the offer willingly.

In short: don’t volunteer if you want to keep your right to EU flight compensation. Airlines may offer small perks, but voluntary denied boarding removes your ability to claim the much higher compensation amount you would receive if you were denied boarding involuntarily.

Don’t Panic — You Have Rights Under EU261 and UK261

If you’re denied boarding against your will — meaning you did not volunteer to give up your seat — you are protected by EU261 and entitled to several important rights.

First, you can claim financial compensation ranging from €250 to €600, depending on the distance of your flight rather than the price you paid.

You also have the choice between receiving a full refund, being rebooked on the next available flight, or selecting a new flight at a later date that suits your travel plans.

While you wait, the airline must provide care and assistance. This includes meals, drinks, and access to communication such as emails or phone calls. If the delay requires an overnight stay, the airline must also arrange and pay for hotel accommodation along with transportation between the airport and the hotel.

All of these services are free and must be provided by Transavia.

Many travelers don’t realize they have strong rights, so knowing what to do if your Transavia flight is overbooked can save you time and stress.

Keep All Documents and Evidence

It’s important to keep all documents and evidence if you plan to file a claim later.

Hold on to your boarding pass or booking confirmation, along with any proof of the denied boarding.

Having this information ready makes the claims process much easier and strengthens your case.

Read more: How to Claim Transavia Compensation?

Submit a Denied Boarding Compensation Claim

To request compensation, you’ll need to submit a claim directly with the airline using their customer service or claims form. When filing, include your flight details, an explanation of why you were denied boarding, proof that you did not volunteer, and all relevant supporting documents. If the airline rejects your claim without a valid reason, you can escalate the case to the National Enforcement Body or an approved ADR service.

You also have the option to use a flight compensation company, which can handle the entire process on your behalf.

When Denied Boarding Compensation Is Not Owed?

There are situations where compensation is not owed.

If you voluntarily give up your seat, arrive too late at the gate, present invalid travel documents, or if your own behavior leads to a boarding refusal, the airline is not required to pay compensation.

However, depending on the circumstances, the airline must still provide you with the option of a refund or rebooking so you can continue your journey.

What if You Agree to Give Up Your Seat and Fly Later? (Voluntary Denied Boarding)

If you choose to give up your seat voluntarily, you cannot receive EU flight compensation.

This situation is known as voluntary denied boarding, and it means you willingly accepted the airline’s offer to travel on a later flight.

However, you still have rights: the airline must offer you a refund or rebooking, provide right to care during long waits, and honor any perks or incentives they offered (such as vouchers or hotel stays). Volunteering can be beneficial, but it removes your right to the higher compensation you’d receive if denied boarding involuntarily.

Remember, if you’re asked whether you’re willing to give up your seat, you can always say “No.” But if you decide to accept the offer and give up your seat, you are agreeing to the change — and because it’s voluntary, you are not eligible to receive overbooking compensation for that flight.

Why Does Overbooking of Flights Happen?

Airlines routinely sell more tickets than the number of seats available on the plane.

They do this because a certain percentage of passengers never show up — due to missed connections, last-minute cancellations, or changes of plans. By overbooking, airlines ensure fuller flights and higher revenue. It’s a standard business practice and far more common than most travelers realize.

But when everyone shows up, the airline has a problem: there aren’t enough seats. In these cases, the airline must deny boarding to some passengers. They first try to find volunteers willing to take a later flight in exchange for perks like vouchers or travel credits. If no one volunteers, they start denying boarding involuntarily — meaning any passenger could be selected.

Understanding what to do if your Transavia flight is overbooked ensures you receive the EU denied boarding compensation and assistance you’re entitled to.