What to know when flying intra Europe’s low cost carriers: Paris to Naples on Transavia

Basic flight gets the job done with no thrills, poor service and limited space.

Since we flew La Compagnie to Paris, we needed to find our way to Naples and southern Italy. 

Which meant we needed a few flights:

• Paris to Naples

• Naples to Palermo, Sicily

• Palermo, Sicily to Paris

Surprisingly, despite Paris being a world class city, there were only a few direct options to consider for our flight to Naples. Even ITA, Italy’s flagship carrier did not have direct options from Paris to Naples. 

For Paris to Naples, there was an option on Air France out of CDG, but it was around 300 euros each way. So despite having a legacy carrier option, we elected to consider the low cost carriers in Europe. 

While most people think of Ryan Air when they think of low cost European carriers, there are a number of other options that get you where you need to go at a low cost -- albeit with fewer comforts. 

Since we booked in December for a September flight, we had more than enough time to track prices and evaluate options.

Ultimately, we chose to fly on Transavia, a low cost carrier owned by the holding company of Air France and KLM from Paris (Orly) to Naples. There was an option on RyanAir but that was from Paris Beauvais Airport. While it may sound like that airport is close to Paris, it is actually a good 2 hours from downtown Paris.

The Transavia flight to Naples, had a base fare of 52 Euros and we added on advance seat selection (9 Euros for row 6) and 10 Euros to get priority boarding which allowed for a carry-on bag in the overhead compartment. I highly recommend these add ons if you want to avoid checking your bag and also want to get off the plane early. Otherwise a standard fare does not include a seat assignment and only includes a bag that you can fit in the seat in front of you. 

Booking on Transavia’s website was easy -- and largely explained the boarding process and what was and wasn’t permitted on board without paying extras. 

We were able to check-in 24 hours before our flight, which was easy on Transavia’s app. The app produced the mobile boarding pass to bring to Orly. 

The lone French beer in Paris.

Sadly, the Orly terminal we were in for this Transavia flight did not have any lounges -- Priority Pass or otherwise -- so we enjoyed a glass of wine and a French beer at one of the airport restaurants. It was 7 euro for the wine which we felt was affordable. American airports would charge significantly more. 

Given it was our first time flying a low cost carrier in Europe, we wanted to make sure we gave ourselves enough time to get to the gate, so we arrived about 10 minutes before boarding was supposed to start. Boarding was scheduled to start 45 minutes prior to departure, and upon arrival at the gate, there were already long lines formed. 

We saw two lines formed -- one very long -- and the other shorter, which included pre-boarders in wheelchairs. Since we had priority boarding, we walked to the agent in that line and upon showing her our boarding passes, quickly received a tag for our carry on bag to go in the overhead compartment and were brought to the front of the priority line.

We stood in this line for about 20 minutes while we watched people exit the jetbridge -- presumably from our arriving flight. Once that was cleared, we were brought into the jet bridge for another ~15 minute wait. 

This is consistent from the low cost carriers we flew while in Europe -- waits, only to move a few dozen feet to wait some more. A bit frustrating compared to boarding in the states. 

We eventually boarded via the jet bridge -- which was the only time we were able to board via jet bridge versus a bus on our three low cost carrier flights in Europe this trip. 

On board this Boeing 737-800, the seat was tiny for me at 6’2. With my knees touching the seat in front of me. The flight was completely full.

There was a USB and USB-A port between each seat, but strangely it was not turned on until we were in the air. 

The flight from Paris to Naples was about 2 hours. 

Shortly after takeoff, the flight crew began their service. Bringing a beverage cart down the aisle. As they approached my row, I was prepared to order, but despite taking orders from other passengers in different rows, I was not asked if I wanted a beverage. 

I eventually went to the galley to order a beverage and paid 6 euros for a French IPA. 

Upon landing, we walked directly from the plane into the terminal -- not via jetbridge. 

Was it worth it? 

Overall, the flight was on time. But the seat was tight, and the service was lacking. For ~70 euros, a successful flight. 

2.5 out of 5.