A probe launched after woman and child allowed in cockpit on overbooked Transavia flight
A Transavia flight from Hurghada to Amsterdam is under internal investigation after an overbooking incident led to a woman and a young girl being seated in the cockpit for the duration of the nearly six-hour journey, RTL reports.
Passenger William said he witnessed the unusual situation on Feb. 21 while waiting at the gate in Hurghada with his family. He described confusion before boarding, saying, “Before we were about to board, I went to the restroom. Then I got a message from my wife: they are looking for two volunteers to sit in the cockpit.” Moments later, the pilot made a public announcement seeking volunteers. “I was really astonished. I had never experienced this before,” said William, who noted he has taken “thousands of flights” for work.
According to William, a woman and a girl he estimated to be about 10 years old stepped forward and boarded early. They remained seated throughout the flight on cockpit jump seats—foldable seats located behind the pilots and typically reserved for crew.
Aviation expert Joris Melkert told RTL that such seats are generally restricted under European Union Aviation Safety Agency rules. However, he noted that European Union Aviation Safety Agency regulations allow limited exceptions. “The captain ultimately always has the final say,” Melkert told RTL. “So the question in this situation is, what led the captain to make this decision?”
Airlines sometimes oversell flights because not all passengers show up, according to the Consumentenbond. When all passengers do appear, some may be denied boarding, refunded, or rebooked.
In a statement, Transavia confirmed an internal investigation is underway but declined to provide details. The airline said its general policy on cockpit access and jumpseat use aligns with EASA regulations and emphasized that the captain holds final responsibility for onboard safety and has discretionary authority within those rules.
The Dutch aviation authority, Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport, said it is not currently investigating the incident but has flagged the practice to Transavia as “undesirable.”
The agency added that aviation personnel are required to report such occurrences and that no formal incident exists if actions comply with company policy and safety procedures. It also pointed to EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) provisions allowing non-crew cockpit access under specific conditions. Following the ILT’s concerns, Transavia is adjusting its policy, the authority told RTL.
William has filed a complaint with the airline, calling the situation a breach of contract. “If I take a flight, I want to be able to assume that it is safe. They could have seated someone who might have a psychosis or do something unexpected,” he told the newspaper.
