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 Council of the European Union finalized the approval on July 13, following the European Parliament’s endorsement of the compromise on July 7. The legislative text was supported by 646 votes to 12, with three abstentions. These new rules cover issues such as delays, cancellations, denied boarding, rerouting, passenger assistance, baggage, and airline liability. They will take effect 12 months and 20 days after being published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Passengers will retain the right to compensation when flights arrive at their destination more than three hours late. The same protections apply if airlines cancel flights less than 14 days before departure or deny boarding. Compensation amounts remain €250 for journeys up to 1,500 kilometres. For longer intra-EU flights and other trips between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometres, the compensation increases to €400. For additional longer-distance routes, payments can reach €600 under the new regulation.
Airlines are permitted to cut compensation by 50% on the longest trips when rerouted passengers arrive no more than four hours late. They can also refuse compensation if extraordinary circumstances cause the disruption. The regulation features an open list of such conditions, including natural disasters, war, severe weather, unruly passengers, and certain external strikes. Airlines are still required to provide care 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
Passengers opting for reimbursement instead of rerouting will receive it automatically under the updated system. Airlines are required to send clear claim instructions within four days after a disrupted flight concludes. Travelers will have nine months to submit a compensation claim. The airline must acknowledge the claim immediately and respond within 30 days, either paying the compensation or explaining the refusal and outlining the complaint process.
Airlines must offer rerouting at the earliest possible opportunity, including through other carriers or suitable transportation options. If a suitable alternative is not available within three hours, passengers are allowed to arrange their own route and seek reimbursement of up to four times the original ticket price. Carriers are obliged to provide comparable travel conditions and cannot force multiple connections on passengers who originally booked direct flights. Necessary, reasonable, and proportionate expenses for care must be reimbursed within 14 calendar days.
Enhanced baggage and seating rights
The new legislation introduces a right to carry one personal item, such as a small bag or backpack, free of charge. Booking platforms are now required to display fares that include hand baggage allowances from the outset. Airlines may also offer cheaper tickets to travelers who opt not to carry hand luggage. The rules prohibit canceling a return flight solely because the outbound flight was missed and forbid charging fees to restore such bookings. Additionally, fees for correcting passenger name spelling errors are disallowed.
Families traveling with children under 14 will be entitled to sit together without additional costs. Passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility will benefit from stronger rights to assistance, rerouting, and compensation. The regulation 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 updates the rules established in 2004, following a European Commission proposal issued in 2013.