Transavia is the budget airline arm of the Air France-KLM Group, but "Transavia" actually means two separate airlines with different recruitment processes. Transavia Netherlands (KLM subsidiary, Amsterdam Schiphol) employs ~650 pilots and operates to 90+ destinations. Transavia France (Air France subsidiary, Paris Orly) is the leading LCC at Orly, employs ~3,000 staff, and recruits ~150 pilots per year through the Air France selection pipeline. Understanding which Transavia you are applying to is the single most important thing on your CV.
Both airlines are undergoing a major fleet transition from Boeing 737-800 to Airbus A320neo/A321neo. For pilots, this creates unusual type rating dynamics — some positions still require B737, while new hires increasingly start on A320. For the full assessment breakdown, see the Transavia interview guide.
CV Guide Summary
- This guide covers how to format your pilot CV specifically for Transavia applications.
- How to write a pilot CV for Transavia.
- Structure your CV to highlight the specific qualifications and experience Transavia values most.
- Includes formatting templates, common mistakes to avoid, and section-by-section guidance.
- Transavia is the budget airline arm of the Air France-KLM Group, but "Transavia" actually means two separate airlines with different recruitment processes.
What Transavia Looks For
Transavia's motto is "keeping feel-good flying accessible." The airline values team spirit, mutual support, and a hands-on flying culture. With 90+ destinations including many challenging leisure airports, Transavia pilots do a lot of manual flying — this is considered a key perk. The no-stopover model means you sleep at home every night.
Key items to highlight
- EASA ATPL with Class 1 Medical
- B737 or A320 type rating (fleet-dependent — check which type is currently recruiting)
- 500 hours on type + 50 hours in last 6 months (Transavia NL experienced FO)
- French fluency + EEA nationality (Transavia France, via Air France selection)
- Multi-crew jet experience, ideally in LCC or high-frequency operations
- Team-oriented mindset with examples beyond "I work well in teams"
Netherlands vs France: Two Different Airlines
Transavia Netherlands (KLM subsidiary)
Apply via werkenbijtransavia.com. Selection by TACO (Transavia Assumption Commission) — a panel of Transavia pilots + HR, conducted in one day. Separate seniority from KLM. Bases: Amsterdam (primary for new FOs), Rotterdam, Eindhoven.
FO requirements: 500h on type (B737 or A320) + 50h in last 6 months. Accepts Dutch military pilots (Groot Militair Brevet, active within 24 months). Captain: 3,500h total, 1,000h PIC on B737NG (for Brussels base).
Contract: 5-month initial (2-month probation), then permanent. All-in salary (no flight pay).
~600h/year average. 7 weeks holiday. Stand-by: must be at Schiphol within 1.5 hours.
Transavia France (Air France subsidiary)
Apply via Air France Cadets or Professional Pilot selection (corporate.airfrance.com). Single seniority list with Air France — your career at Transavia and Air France is managed together. Assignment to Transavia or AF is determined by group needs, not pilot preference.
Requirements: EEA or Swiss nationality, fluent French (FCL 055 Level 6 for non-native), ATPL or CPL/IRME, valid Class 1 Medical, MCC certificate. Selection: PSY 0 (pre-screening) → PSY 1 (psychometric/psychomotor) → PSY 2 (interview) → Recruitment Committee.
Captain upgrade: ~7-8 years (2025 data, seniority-based). Transfer to Air France long-haul possible but not guaranteed.
Critical difference
Transavia France pilots share a seniority list with Air France — they can fly for either airline with identical career prospects. Transavia Netherlands pilots have a separate seniority list from KLM. This makes Transavia France effectively an entry point into the Air France pilot corps, while Transavia NL is its own career track.
The B737-to-A320 Fleet Transition
Air France-KLM ordered 100 Airbus A320neo family aircraft in 2021, replacing all Boeing 737 operations across both Transavia entities by 2031. By early 2026, 10 Boeing 737s had already been retired. Transavia France's fleet stands at approximately 60 aircraft in a mixed 737/A320 configuration.
For your CV, this means: if you hold a B737 type rating, you are still eligible but will eventually transition to A320 (full type rating training provided, typically 3-5 weeks ground school + 15-20 sim sessions). If you hold an A320 type rating, you may start directly on the new fleet. State both type ratings if you hold them. If applying after 2025, A320 experience is increasingly favoured for new recruits.
CV Format & Structure
Transavia NL: apply via werkenbijtransavia.com when positions open. Upload a 2-page PDF. Transavia France: apply via Air France's recruitment portal — the CV format follows Air France requirements (French language CV may be expected).
Lead with Professional Summary specifying which Transavia entity you are targeting and why. Then Licenses & Ratings (state both B737 and A320 if applicable), Flight Experience with hours table, Employment History, Education, and Languages. Include a text-based hours summary: "Total: X,XXX · PIC: X,XXX · B737: X,XXX · A320: X,XXX · Last flight: DD/MM/YYYY."
For Transavia NL: state your ability to be at Schiphol within 1.5 hours for stand-by. If applying from abroad, mention the jump seat scheme for pilots living outside the Netherlands. For Transavia France: write your CV in French if your French is strong enough — it demonstrates the language competence they require.
Photo Policy
Most European airlines do not require a photo on your CV, and including one can trigger unconscious bias concerns in some HR departments. Do not add a photo unless the airline specifically requests one on their careers page.
Submit as PDF
Always submit your CV as a PDF unless the airline specifically requests Word format. ATS systems can strip formatting from .docx files — tables, columns, and custom fonts often render as garbled text. Use a single-column layout with standard section headings.
Transavia-Specific Mistakes
Not specifying which Transavia — a CV that says "I want to fly for Transavia" without specifying Netherlands or France shows fundamental misunderstanding of the group structure. The recruitment processes, contracts, seniority lists, and career paths are completely different.
Applying for Transavia France without French fluency — FCL 055 Level 6 in French is mandatory for non-native speakers. If you cannot demonstrate this, your application is rejected at pre-screening regardless of flight experience.
Applying when position is not open (NL) — Transavia NL recruits in waves, not continuously. Sending unsolicited CVs when no position is posted is ineffective. Subscribe to their job alerts at werkenbijtransavia.com and contact cockpitrecruitment@transavia.com with questions.
Ignoring the fleet transition — with the B737-to-A320 changeover underway, your CV should address your type rating situation. Stating only B737 experience without acknowledging willingness to transition to A320 raises questions about your awareness of the operational reality.
Insufficient recency (NL) — Transavia NL requires 50 hours on type in the last 6 months. If your recency is borderline, state your exact last flight date. Do not leave it vague — the TACO panel will check.