BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / RankWire.AI / – The European Union has sanctioned its first significant revision of air passenger rights 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 by a vote of 646 to 12, with three abstentions. The updated regulations cover issues such as delays, cancellations, denied boarding, rerouting, passenger assistance, baggage, and airline liability. They will come into effect 12 months and 20 days after their publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Passengers will continue to retain the right to compensation if their flights arrive more than three hours late. This protection also applies when airlines cancel a flight fewer than 14 days before scheduled departure or deny boarding. Compensation amounts are set at €250 for journeys up to 1,500 kilometres, increasing to €400 for longer intra-EU flights and other trips between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometres. Longer routes may qualify for €600 under the new rules.
Airlines are permitted to reduce compensation by 50% on the longest flights if rerouted passengers arrive within four hours of the original arrival time. Carriers can also deny compensation if the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances. The regulation includes an open-ended list covering natural disasters, war, severe weather, unruly passengers, and certain external strikes. Airlines are still required to provide care during qualifying disruptions, including 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 system, passengers opting for reimbursement instead of rerouting will receive it automatically. Airlines must send clear instructions on how to claim within four days after a disrupted journey concludes. Travelers will have nine months to submit a compensation claim. The airline must acknowledge receipt immediately and respond within 30 days, either paying the compensation or providing an explanation for the refusal and outlining the available complaint procedures.
Carriers are required to offer rerouting at the earliest possible opportunity, including through other airlines or suitable transportation options. If no appropriate alternative is available within three hours, passengers are allowed to organize their own alternative route. They can seek reimbursement of up to four times the original ticket price. Airlines must ensure comparable travel conditions and are prohibited from forcing 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 protections
The legislation introduces a right to carry one personal item, such as a small bag or backpack, at no extra charge. Booking platforms are required to display fares that include hand baggage allowances initially. Airlines may also offer lower-cost tickets to travelers who opt not to carry hand luggage. They are prohibited from canceling a return flight solely because the outbound flight was missed, and cannot impose fees to restore such bookings. Additionally, charges for correcting passenger name spelling errors are banned.
Families traveling with children under 14 will be entitled to seat them together without additional fees. Passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility will benefit from stronger rights to assistance, rerouting, and compensation. The new rules also safeguard essential mobility equipment and extend protections 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 that have been in place since 2004, following a European Commission proposal issued in 2013.