Selection process · tests · interview · simulator check
Transavia pilot assessment
Updated October 2026 · SET STANDARD
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Notify meTransavia is growing but loss-making in 2026: hiring is now narrow and route-specific, with Brussels B737NG crew and the self-funded Dutch MPL in the Netherlands, while French entry runs only through the Air France cadet and professional-pilot selections.
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Transavia is the low-cost brand of the Air France-KLM group, made up of two airlines: Transavia Netherlands (Schiphol, Rotterdam, Eindhoven and Brussels) and Transavia France (Paris-Orly plus regional bases). Together they carried 26.1 million passengers in 2025, mainly on leisure and city routes, and are replacing their Boeing 737-800s with the Airbus A320neo family. Transavia began in 1966 as a small Dutch charter airline and became a scheduled low-cost carrier inside a major group.
Key facts
| Fleet | 149 aircraft (mid-2026). NL: 20 A321neo + 33 B737-800; FR: c.98 incl. 31 A320neo |
|---|---|
| Orders | Part of AF-KLM A320neo-family order (215 firm group-wide); NL renewal complete 2031; FR first A321neo spring 2027 |
| Bases | NL: AMS, RTM, EIN (shut 1 Feb-18 Jul 2027), BRU · FR: ORY, NTE, LYS, MPL, MRS |
| Pilots | NL c.600-650 (company figures); FR not published |
| Hiring 2026 | Selective: Brussels B737NG FO/Captain/TRI; NL MPL 2027 and AF cadet 2026 in selection |
| Entry routes | NL: MPL cadet (EUR 65k), rated FO, B737NG Brussels · FR: AF Cadets / AF Professional Pilot |
Entry routes and requirements
Transavia NL - Airline Pilot Program (MPL cadet, 2027 class)
Ab initio candidates
- HAVO diploma (with physics and Maths B, or bridging certificates), or listed technical HBO/WO degree; Belgian ASO/TSO with extra take-off course
- Fluent Dutch and English; EU passport
- Age 18+ at start, no maximum; no criminal record (VGB screening)
- Height 1.58-2.00 m in the 2027 ad (FAQ quotes up to 2.05 m); sitting height max 95 cm
Transavia NL - First Officer A320/A321neo (experienced, Schiphol)
Airbus-rated or heavy-twin experienced pilots
- A320/A321 type rating with 500 h on type, OR 1,000 h total with 500 h on multi-engine >5,700 kg
- EASA (frozen) ATPL, ME/IR, MCC, Class 1
- ICAO English level 5 to apply, level 6 before start; EU work rights
Transavia NL - First Officer and Captain B737NG (Brussels base)
B737NG-rated pilots
- FO: B737NG rating with 500 h as FO on type (50 h in last 6 months)
- Captain: 3,500 h total, 1,000 h command on B737NG (50 h in last 6 months)
- EASA ATPL, ME/IR PBN, MCC, Class 1, Advanced UPRT if licence after 20 Dec 2021
- ICAO English 5 to apply, 6 before start; EU passport; able to swim one pool length
Transavia France - Cadet (via Air France Cadet programme)
Ab initio, French speakers
- EEA or Swiss national; fluent French; clean record
- Education: valid ATPL(A) theory, CPGE 2nd year, scientific bac+2/120 ECTS, or bachelor/master
- Class 2 medical minimum at application (Class 1 accepted)
- Must not hold a CPL(A) at deadline; EUR 200 registration fee (2026; exempt for scholarship holders)
Transavia France - Experienced pilot (Air France 'Professional Pilot' stream)
Licensed pilots
- EEA/Swiss national; fluent French (FCL.055 level 6 for non-native)
- Valid ATPL or CPL/IR-ME with EU ATPL theory; MCC
- No first CS-25 rating: Advanced UPRT and 70 h PIC (or equivalent)
- English FCL.055 level 5+ and TOEIC L&R 850+ (under 2 years old)
The selection process, step by step
- NL cadet: online application and screeningonline + WhatsApp-invited chat
Application, short online screening chat and competency test, recruiter review. Candidates report an Aon (cut-e) style reasoning pre-screen.
- NL cadet: online selection (COMPASS and CPP)online
Computer-based aptitude battery (COMPASS) and the CPP test as named in the 2027 programme ad.
- NL cadet: competency-based interviewwith Transavia selection committee
Competency interview at Transavia (Sept-Nov 2026 for 2027 class).
- NL cadet: selection day at EPSTin person (Utrecht)
Simulator assessment (grading), group assignment and evaluation interview with EPST selectors.
- NL experienced FO/Captain: tests and EPST selectionCompass/CPP online or at EPST, then in person
Compass and CPP tests, then on-site selection with EPST in Utrecht. Reported: pilot + HR panel interview (30-45 min), B737 fixed-base sim in PF/PM pairs, group ranking exercise.
- France: admissibility / PSY0 (cadets)online, proctored (webcam)
Cadets: logic, reasoning, aeronautical general knowledge and advanced English. Experienced pilots: CV and French cover letter review instead.
- France: PSY1in person (ENAC for experienced pilots)
Psychotechnical and psychomotor tests; results rank candidates on main/secondary/no list.
- France: PSY2in person (Roissy-CDG)
Two personality inventories, a group test (confidentiality agreement signed) and an individual interview.
- France: possible simulator assessment and recruitment committeein person
For experienced pilots the committee may require a simulator assessment; committee decides pass, deferral or elimination. Each stage valid 2 years.
Aptitude and psychometric tests
- competency screening
- mental arithmetic
- spatial
- multitasking
- psychomotor
- personality
COMPASS (Transavia NL, officially named) · CPP (Transavia NL, officially named) · EPST Utrecht (selection partner, Transavia NL)
Group exercise
Yes: NL cadet selection day group assignment; NL experienced selection (reported survival-style ranking task); France PSY2 group test.
The interview
NL: competency-based interview with Transavia selection committee + evaluation interview with EPST; experienced pilots reported pilot + HR panel of 30-45 min; France: individual interview in PSY2
- motivation
- teamwork
- self-improvement
- career plan coherence
- company knowledge
Typical questions to prepare
- Why Transavia and not KLM or a pure low-cost carrier?
- What do you know about our fleet plans?
- Why Brussels? Are you willing to live there?
- Describe Transavia's business model.
- Transavia lost money in 2025 and H1 2026. What does that mean for you?
- Tell us about a conflict with a colleague.
The simulator assessment
| Device | Fixed-base simulator at EPST Utrecht (reported B737 trainer); MPL cadets: aptitude grading device |
|---|---|
| Where | EPST, Utrecht (Netherlands); France: possible sim test requested by the Air France recruitment committee |
| Typical profile | Reported NL experienced: FD take-off, raw-data handling, VOR approach and go-around, QRH non-normal, ILS landing; PF/PM swap |
Language and after selection
NL cadet: fluent Dutch and English. NL experienced FO: ICAO English 5 to apply, 6 before start; Dutch not required but expected to be learnt (Schiphol).
NL cadet: ~22-24-month MPL to A320neo FO, 4-year bond. NL experienced: A320/A321neo type rating or OCC (part may be at CAE), base AMS; Brussels hires fly B737NG then convert to A321neo.
Common reasons candidates fail
- Weak multitasking or psychomotor scores in Compass/PSY1, the most common early cut
- Generic motivation that could fit any airline, with no knowledge of NL/FR split, Brussels or the Airbus transition
- Poor PM behaviour or silent flying in the paired sim
- Dominating or disappearing in the group exercise
- Rehearsed, exaggerated or inconsistent STAR stories that panels say they spot easily
Get the complete Transavia Assessment Guide
181 pages: company history and culture, every stage of the selection, model interview answers, technical refresher, Boeing 737 / Airbus A320neo systems and simulator assessment preparation. Updated for 2026.
Look inside the guideStatus: Preview · current to October 2026 · not on sale yet · join the waiting list
About this guide
- Format
- PDF (bookmarked, iPad-optimised)
- Language
- English
- Edition
- Ed 2026 · Revision 1.0
- Current to
- October 2026
- Pages
- 181
- Status
- Preview · not on sale yet
- Licence
- Personal, single user · see licence terms
- Updates
- Update policy to be announced before sales open
- Simulator stage
- Covered as reported by candidates and public sources
Independent publication. Facts in this overview are labelled “reported” when they come from candidate reports rather than official sources — see the editorial standards. Notify me about this guide · See it in the catalogue
Practice questions: company knowledge
Interview practice drawn from public sources; the answers are not an FAQ about the guide.
When did Transavia operate its first flight?
16 November 1966, Amsterdam to Naples with a DC-6
Which group owns Transavia?
Air France-KLM (Transavia NL via KLM, Transavia France via Air France)
Who has been CEO of all Transavia since September 2026?
Oltion Carkaxhija (from 4 Sep 2026)
Who leads Transavia Netherlands?
Paul Terstegge, CEO since 1 February 2026
Who leads Transavia France?
Olivier Mazzucchelli
How many passengers did Transavia carry in 2025?
About 26.1 million (+12.4%)
Preparation guides
Other airline assessments
Main sources
https://www.aviationcv.com/job/pilot-training-programme-2027-74096
https://werkenbijtransavia.com/l/en/veel-gestelde-vragen-opleiding
https://werkenbijtransavia.com/l/en/first-officer-transavia
https://werkenbijtransavia.com/o/first-officer-brussel?lang=en
https://yourpilotinterview.com/jobs/transavia-captain-boeing-737-brussels-belgium/
SET STANDARD is an independent training publisher, not affiliated with Transavia. Information compiled from public sources and candidate reports; always confirm with the airline’s official careers page.