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 airplanes, and on flights to Europe, Africa and Peru you’ll get a meal included.
Despite having very small economy seats, I think Air Transat offers great value for price-conscious travelers. It’s also a solid choice for folks looking for a little extra space in their Club Class cabin without a massive price tag.
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, traveling 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 (those Europe, Africa and Peru flights), 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.
Eco Budget gets you a personal item on all routes. For flights to Europe, Morocco, and Peru, you also get a carry-on bag, but flights to the South, United States, and within Canada only include a personal item—no carry-on bag. No changes, no refunds and no free checked bag, though you do get a meal on flights to Europe, Morocco, Peru, and Brazil. On flights within Canada or to the US, Caribbean or other South American destinations, food costs extra.
Eco Standard adds a checked bag on flights to Europe, Morocco, and Peru, though checked bags aren’t included on flights to the South, United States, or within Canada. You can change or refund your ticket for a fee. Eco Flex means no fee for changing or canceling your ticket (though you’ll pay any price difference) and includes a standard seat reservation and checked baggage on all routes.
Over to Club Class, at the front of the plane, Club Standard fares get two checked bags and can be changed or canceled for a fee. These fares also include gourmet meals and enhanced service on every flight, with exact offerings varying by flight length and destination. Club Flex adds full flexibility for refunds and cancellations, though again, you’ll cover any difference in ticket price.
Air Transat seats: Economy class
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. 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.
On 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. The legroom and seat width on these are actually very similar to what you’d find on other airlines.
Air Transat lets you pay to select four kinds of economy seats. You can pick a Standard seat, 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 the cabin or a seat with more legroom in an exit row or at the front.
Good news for families: kids aged two-13 get free standard seat assignments next to their parents or guardians.
Air Transat seats: Club Class
Club Class on Air Transat has the kind of reclining premium seats you’d find in international premium economy or domestic first class in the US. The seats are wider, featuring 2-2 seating on A321 aircraft, and offer more legroom with generous footrests and adjustable headrests.
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 is available until two hours prior to departure from most airports. I can tell you from experience that the best choice of seats is available right when that 24-hour window opens. If you have checked luggage and have checked in online, you’ll need to drop it off at the baggage drop-off counter before the check-in counter closure time.
Even though it’s a budget airline, flying with Air Transat offers a pretty normal airport experience. You’ll find regular check-in and bag drop desks with priority check-in offered for Club Class passengers at participating airports.
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 flights less than an hour in Economy Class, there’s no service at all. The onboard Bistro Menu is available on flights to the South and the United States (3 hours or more), offering the usual airline sandwiches and snacks, which I like to buy separately or as a “trio” bundle (meal + snack + drink) to save a bit of money. You can pre-order your Bistro meal up to 72 hours before departure on these routes.
On long-haul flights to Peru, Brazil, Europe and Morocco, 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: Special meals can be selected to meet certain dietary preferences and restrictions on transatlantic flights (Europe and Morocco), and are a great choice in economy. I have found that they’re filled with flavor, and they heat up well in airplane ovens (plus, special meals usually come out first.
As you’d expect, Club Class passengers get a few extra perks. On domestic flights under an hour, they get a bottle of water and chocolate. On flights between one and three hours, the complimentary bar and snacks roll out. Still, I always pack my own water and a sandwich just in case.
On longer flights, Club Class gets two breakfast choices (that come with Danish and fruit) or, depending on the route, two or three gourmet meal options with salad, dessert and wines. Most flights with meal service offer a pre-order option, and I always take them up on it to guarantee I get my first choice.
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 3.5mm plug. The selection generally rates as “okay but not groundbreaking”: I like to catch that movie from a few years ago I never got round to, or rewatch an old favorite.
Note that some flights (those numbered TS2000 to TS3999) don’t have seatback screens, 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 for an extra fee. Assistance animals, like certified service dogs and emotional support dogs, can travel if documented and traveling 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.
I always recommend checking directly with the airline before you book to get the full details on what’s required. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to traveling with your pet.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others. Find more perspectives in our user reviews below.
