Refund for a Cancelled Flight, New Flight, or Compensation? Understanding Your Rights

A Transavia cancelled flight can ruin your plans, add unexpected stress to your trip, and leave you unsure of what to do next. Fortunately, EU261 Regulation gives passengers strong protections — but many travelers don’t know exactly what they’re entitled to. Can you get a refund for a cancelled flight, a new flight, flight cancellation compensation, or even all three?

This guide breaks down your rights in plain language so you know exactly what to do when your flight is cancelled.

Check your compensation online.

Refund for a Cancelled Flight — When You Can Get Your Money Back

If your Transavia flight is cancelled, you always have the right to choose a refund for a cancelled flight, regardless of the reason for the cancellation. This refund must include the total cost of your ticket plus any extras you purchased (baggage, seats, priority boarding, etc.).

A refund is available when:

• Your flight is cancelled at any time
• You decide not to travel because of the cancellation

Refunds must be paid to your original payment method — not in Transavia vouchers unless you choose a voucher.

What if your flight is cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances? Still, you can get a refund. Refunds must be paid regardless of the reason for flight cancellation — even when the airline is not at fault.

The same applies if your flight is cancelled well in advance and not at the last minute. No matter how early the airline notifies you, you still have the right to receive a full refund if you choose not to travel.

Alternative Flight — When the Airline Must Get You to Your Destination

Transavia flight cancelled? You can get a new flight to your destination (for free).

If your flight is cancelled, you may prefer to continue your trip. In this case, the airline must offer:

• A new flight at the earliest opportunity, or
• A flight on a later date of your choice, if seats are available
• A refund if you decide not to travel (see above)

This is your right.

The airline cannot force you to accept only the earliest flight if you prefer to travel later, and they cannot force you to take a refund instead of rebooking.

If the new flight requires an overnight stay, you are also entitled to the right to care, including meals, drinks, a hotel room, and transport between the airport and hotel.

Flight Cancellation Compensation — When You Are Owed Extra Money

Compensation is separate from a refund or new flight. It is paid only when the airline is responsible for the cancellation.

You are entitled to compensation if:

• The airline cancelled your flight less than 14 days before departure, and
• The cancellation was not caused by extraordinary circumstances

This means the airline must pay flight cancellation compensation when the disruption results from issues within their responsibility, such as:

• Technical problems caused by poor maintenance
• Crew shortages or scheduling mistakes
• Operational errors, such as mismanagement of aircraft or staff
• Aircraft rotation issues caused by internal planning failures
• Strike by Transavia’s own staff (not air traffic control or airport staff)
• Late arrival of the inbound aircraft due to airline-related delays
• Failure to provide a replacement aircraft when feasible

How Much Is Flight Compensation?

Flight compensation amounts under Regulation EU261:

When your destination is within the EU/UK:

When your destination is outside the EU/UK:

Flight cancellation compensation is paid per passenger, regardless of age or nationality. Kids and non-European citizens can get this compensation, too.

Can You Get Both Compensation and a Refund for a Cancelled Flight?

Yes — in many cases, you can.

Here’s when:

• Transavia cancelled your flight
• They informed you less than 14 days before departure
• The reason for the cancellation was the airline’s fault (e.g., technical problems, crew issues), not an extraordinary circumstance
• You chose a refund for a cancelled flight instead of rebooking

This means you get your money back PLUS flight cancellation compensation.

Can You Get a New Flight and Compensation?

Also yes — if you still want to travel.

You can receive:

• A new flight,
• Right to care, and
• Compensation,

as long as the airline caused the cancellation and the notice was less than 14 days.

So you continue your journey without paying extra, and you still get compensated for the inconvenience.

When Compensation Is Not Owed

Compensation is not due if:

• The airline gave more than 14 days’ notice
• The cancellation was caused by extraordinary circumstances (e.g., severe weather, air traffic control strikes, political unrest, security issues)
• You volunteered to give up your seat due to overbooking

Even in these cases, you still keep the right to:

• A cancelled flight refund or
• A new flight
• Right to care during long waits

Compensation may disappear — but your other rights stay.

Summary: Know Exactly What You Can Claim

Situation	Refund for cancellation	New Flight	Compensation
Flight cancelled (any reason)	✔ Yes	✔ Yes	❌ Only if airline at fault
Flight cancelled <14 days & airline at fault	✔ Yes	✔ Yes	✔ Yes
Flight cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances	✔ Yes	✔ Yes	❌ No
You don’t want the rebooked flight	✔ Yes	Optional	✔ Only if airline at fault

If your flight is cancelled, you may be entitled to a refund for a cancelled flight or a new flight. If the cancellation was due to Transavia’s fault, you can get flight cancellation compensation, too.

Featured photo by Pixabay from Pexels