Air Transat is a Canadian budget leisure carrier that mostly flies within Canada, as well as between Canada and the Caribbean or Europe. The airline offers cheap and cheerful tickets with minimum frills aboard their modern Airbus airplanes. Unlike some budget airlines, Air Transat does offer in-flight entertainment screens on most aeroplanes, and on flights between North America and Europe, you’ll get a meal included.
Despite having very small economy seats, I think Air Transat can offer great value for price-conscious travellers in economy, as well as for premium economy passengers looking for a little bit of extra space in their Club Class cabin.
Air Transat classes of travel and fares
Air Transat is really upfront about being a budget airline: you can get the basics on a budget, or spend a bit more for a few extra options and flexibility. If you want to try an open-jaw trip – that’s airline-speak for flying into one airport and out of another (for example flying to London, travelling across Europe using trains or local airlines, and flying home from Croatia), Air Transat’s fare structure is helpful.
Unlike most major airlines, it prices one-way trips separately rather than as an extra premium, and there’s no problem with flying out on one airline and coming home on another. I love this option as a great way to make the most out of a trip. By and large, you can split the service you get on board into long haul (flights from Europe, Africa, and Peru to North America), and short haul (domestic Canada, US and Caribbean flights).
Air Transat offers three fare types in economy – Eco Budget, Eco Standard, and Eco Flex – and two in its premium economy-style Club Class cabin: Club Standard and Club Flex. The change in pricing between the various types of fare is pretty reasonable.
In Eco Budget, you get a personal item and a cabin bag, and that’s it – no changes, no refunds, and no free checked bag, though you do get a meal on flights to Europe and Africa. On flights within Canada or to the US/Caribbean/South America, food costs extra.
Eco Standard adds a checked bag and the possibility of changing or refunding your ticket, although this does come at an extra cost. Eco Flex means no fee for changing or cancelling your ticket (though expect to pay any difference in the actual price of your old and new itineraries) and includes a standard seat reservation.
Over to Club Class, at the very front of the plane. Club Standard fares get two checked bags and can change or cancel for a fee. These fares also get an upgraded meal included on every flight, not just the long-haul ones between Europe and North America. Club Flex adds flexibility for refunds and cancellations, although again, expect to pay any difference in ticket price.
Air Transat seats: Economy class
The best thing about Air Transat is its affordable fares, and so I look to book Air Transat for price rather than comfort. Despite the tight seats, the fares can be a fantastic deal, so kick back and just think about how much extra money you’ll have to spend at your destination.
Most passengers on Air Transat will be flying in economy, where seats are generally pitched tightly together with minimal legroom, although the amount of space you have really does depend on what plane you take.
Onboard some of its Airbus A330 planes, you might be surprised to find an extra seat in every row compared to other airlines like Air Canada, Delta or Air France. These seats are very narrow, with a seat layout of 3-3-3 – narrower than on pretty much any other airplane in the sky.
On Air Transat Airbus A321/A321neo airplanes, you’ll find the usual 3-3 seat layout, and the legroom and seat width find on these planes is actually very similar to other airlines.
Air Transat lets you select four kinds of economy seats for a price, each on a sliding cost scale that varies based on your route. You have the option of a Standard seat, or a two-by-two seat (this can either be thanks to a missing aisle seat or missing window seat, so check carefully). You can also select from a front of cabin seat, up at the front of economy class, or the extra legroom seat, usually at the front of a cabin as well, or in the emergency exits.
Note that kids aged 2–13 get free standard seat assignments adjacent to their parents or guardians.
Air Transat seats: Club Class
Club Class on Air Transat features the kind of reclining premium seats you might find in many other long-haul premium economy classes. The seats are wider – two bigger reclining chairs where there would be three economy seats – and offer more legroom. There’s usually also a leg rest.
I prefer this kind of premium economy-style cabin and seat on leisure airlines, because you get the really important bits like a comfier ride without paying to have a business class experience. On some planes (specifically the A321-200ceo), Club Class may just be the aisle and window seat in economy in the first row of the plane, with the middle seat blocked off. Make sure you understand exactly what you’re booking on your particular flight.
Club Class can be a very cost-effective way to fly in the big front seats at a rate quite a bit below full-price carriers. Don’t expect international business class-style luxury, but it’s a solid choice for a more spacious, no-frills flight. In seats like this, I’d always choose a seat in row one if you have the option; there’s more legroom and nobody reclining into you.
Air Transat check-in and airport experience
Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure and closes two hours before your flight. I can tell you that the widest choice of seats is likely to be available at that 24-hour window, right when check-in opens. If you have checked luggage for the hold, you’ll need to drop that off, either at the check-in counter or the self-service bag drop if that’s available – keep an eye out as you approach the Air Transat desks.
Flying with Air Transat offers a pretty normal airport experience, even though it’s a budget airline. You’ll find regular check-in and bag drop desks with economy and Club Class lines.
Air Transat in-flight food and drinks
Air Transat’s in-flight meal and beverage options change depending on which flight you’re on, how long the flight is, and where it’s going. On domestic Canadian flights less than an hour, there’s no service at all.
The onboard Bistro Menu is also available: it offers the usual airline sandwiches and snacks, which I like to buy separately or as a ‘trio’ bundle to save a bit of money.
On long-haul flights between Europe and North America, economy passengers get a choice of two hot meals with salad, dessert and either a glass of wine or a non-alcoholic drink.
Top tip: Asian vegetarian meals, which usually means something from South Asian food cultures, are a great choice in economy. I have found that they’re filled with flavour, and they heat up well in aeroplane ovens – plus, special meals usually come out first.
As you might expect, Club Class passengers get a few extra perks, especially when flying long haul. Domestic Canadian flights under an hour get a bottle of water and chocolate, while those between one to three hours see the complimentary bar service and snacks roll out. Though I always like to make sure I pack my own bottle of water and a sandwich if I think I’m likely to be hungry.
On longer flights, there are two breakfast choices with a Danish pastry and/or parfait, fruit and a drink selection. Lunch or dinner consists of three main options with salad, dessert and wines. Most flights with meal service will offer a pre-order option, and I always take the airline up on this to get my first preference.
Air Transat in-flight entertainment and Wi-Fi
Happily, despite being a budget airline, Air Transat offers in-flight entertainment, so bring your own headphones with the good old 3.5 mm plug.
The selection generally rates as ‘okay but not groundbreaking’: I like to catch that film from a few years ago I never got round to, or rewatch an old favourite. There are no screens on flight numbers between TS2000 and TS3999, so you’ll need to stream entertainment wirelessly to your own mobile device.
Air Transat pet policy
If you want to bring Fluffy or Fido along with you, cats and dogs can be carried on some Air Transat routes, usually for an extra fee. Assistance animals, like certified service dogs and emotional support dogs, can travel if documented and travelling with a passenger who has a disability. I always recommend checking with the airline before booking to find out full details of what’s needed.
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