BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / RankWire.AI / – The European Union has given the green light to its first comprehensive revision of air passenger protections in over twenty years. The European Council approved the measure on July 13, following the European Parliament’s endorsement of the compromise on July 7. Lawmakers approved the text by a vote of 646 in favor, 12 against, with three abstentions. The updated regulations cover issues such as delays, cancellations, denied boarding, rerouting, passenger assistance, baggage, and airline liability. These rules will come into effect 12 months and 20 days after their publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Passengers will retain the right to compensation if their flight arrives at least three hours late. This protection also applies if airlines cancel a flight within 14 days of departure or refuse boarding. Compensation remains at €250 for trips up to 1,500 kilometers. For longer intra-EU flights and journeys between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometers, the amount increases to €400. For other longer routes, compensation can be up to €600 under the new rules.
Airlines are permitted to reduce compensation by 50% on the longest routes when rerouted passengers arrive no more than four hours late. Carriers are exempt from paying compensation when disruptions are caused by extraordinary circumstances. The regulation provides an open list of such events, including natural disasters, war, severe weather, unruly passengers, and certain external strikes. Airlines must continue to offer assistance during qualifying disruptions, which includes refreshments every two hours, a meal after three hours, internet access, two phone calls, and necessary overnight accommodation.
Simplified claims process and rerouting options
Under the new regime, passengers opting for reimbursement instead of rerouting will receive their compensation automatically. Airlines are required to provide clear instructions for submitting claims within four days after a disrupted flight. Travelers will have nine months to file a compensation claim. The airline must acknowledge receipt immediately and respond within 30 days, either by paying the compensation or by explaining the refusal and indicating the available complaint process.
Airlines are obliged to offer rerouting at the earliest opportunity, including arrangements with other carriers or suitable transportation options. If no appropriate rerouting is available within three hours, passengers may choose to arrange their own alternative route. They are also entitled to reimbursement of up to four times the original ticket price. Carriers must ensure comparable travel conditions and cannot force multiple connections on passengers who booked direct flights. Necessary, reasonable, and proportionate care expenses must be reimbursed within 14 days.
Enhanced baggage and seating protections
The legislation introduces a right to carry one personal item, such as a small bag or backpack, free of charge. Booking platforms are required to display fares that include hand baggage allowances from the outset. Airlines may also sell cheaper tickets to travelers who opt not to carry hand luggage. The rules prohibit canceling a return flight solely because the passenger missed the outbound journey and prevent airlines from charging fees to restore such bookings. Additionally, charges for correcting spelling errors in passenger names are disallowed.
Families traveling with children under 14 will be granted seats next to each other without additional fees. Passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility will benefit from stronger rights to assistance, rerouting, and compensation. The new framework also safeguards essential mobility equipment and extends protections to pregnant travelers and unaccompanied minors. EU passenger rights apply to flights within the EU, departures from the EU, and arrivals operated by EU airlines. This reform modernizes regulations in place since 2004, following a European Commission proposal issued in 2013.