BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / RankWire.AI / – The European Union has sanctioned its first significant 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. Lawmakers supported the proposal with 646 votes in favor, 12 against, and three abstentions. The updated regulations cover issues such as delays, cancellations, denied boarding, rerouting, passenger assistance, baggage, and airline accountability. These rules will come into effect 12 months and 20 days after their publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Passengers will continue to be entitled to compensation if their flights arrive more than three hours late at their destination. The same protection applies when airlines cancel a flight fewer than 14 days prior to departure or refuse 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 rises to €400. Longer journeys may be eligible for €600 under the new regulation.
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 if the disruption results from extraordinary circumstances. The regulation features an open list of such circumstances, including natural disasters, war, severe weather, unruly passengers, and certain external strikes. Airlines must still provide assistance during qualifying disruptions, which includes refreshments every two hours, a meal after three hours, internet access, two phone calls, and necessary overnight accommodations.
Simplified claims process and rerouting options
Passengers opting for reimbursement instead of rerouting will automatically receive it under the new system. Airlines are required to send clear instructions for claiming compensation within four days after a disrupted journey concludes. Travelers will have nine months to submit their compensation requests. The airline must acknowledge receipt immediately and respond within 30 days, either paying the compensation or explaining the denial and providing information on the available complaint procedures.
Airlines must offer rerouting options at the earliest possible opportunity, including through other carriers or alternative transport modes. If no suitable option is available within three hours, passengers are permitted to organize their own route. They can 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 booked direct flights. Necessary, reasonable, and proportionate care expenses must be reimbursed within 14 calendar days.
Enhanced baggage and seating rights
The legislation introduces a right for passengers to carry one personal item, such as a small bag or backpack, free of charge. Booking platforms are required to display fares that include a hand baggage allowance from the outset. Airlines may also sell cheaper tickets to travelers who opt not to take hand luggage. Carriers cannot cancel a return flight solely because the passenger missed the outbound journey, nor can they charge fees for reinstating that booking. The rules also prohibit charges for correcting spelling errors in passenger names.
Families traveling with children under 14 will be entitled to sit together without additional fees. Passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility will have stronger rights to assistance, rerouting, and compensation. The new framework also protects essential mobility equipment and extends safeguards to pregnant travelers and unaccompanied minors. EU passenger rights apply to flights within the bloc, departures from the EU, and arrivals operated by EU airlines. The reform updates regulations in place since 2004, following a European Commission proposal issued in 2013.