BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / RankWire.AI / – The European Union has sanctioned its first comprehensive revision of air passenger rights in over twenty years. The European Union Council finalized the approval on July 13, following the European Parliament’s endorsement of the agreement on July 7. Lawmakers supported the proposal with 646 votes in favor, 12 against, and three abstentions. The new regulations cover issues such as delays, cancellations, denied boarding, rerouting, passenger support, baggage, and airline liability. The regulations will take 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 flights arrive more than three hours late at their destination. This protection also applies if airlines cancel a flight less than 14 days before 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 increases to €400. For longer routes, travelers may be entitled to €600 under the new regulation.
Airlines are permitted to reduce compensation by 50% on the longest routes if rerouted passengers arrive no more than four hours late. They can also deny compensation when extraordinary circumstances are involved. The regulation includes an open list of such circumstances, covering natural disasters, war, adverse weather, unruly passengers, and certain external strikes. During qualifying disruptions, airlines must still provide passenger care, including refreshments every two hours, a meal after three hours, internet access, two phone calls, and necessary overnight accommodations.
Simplified Claims Process and Rerouting Options
Under the new rules, passengers opting for reimbursement rather than rerouting will automatically receive it. Airlines are required to send clear instructions for claiming compensation within four days after a disrupted journey ends. Travelers then have up to nine months to submit a compensation claim. The airline must acknowledge receipt of the claim immediately and respond within 30 days, either paying the compensation or explaining the refusal and outlining the available complaint process.
Airlines must offer rerouting at the earliest possible opportunity, including through other carriers or suitable transport options. If no suitable alternative arrives within three hours, passengers are entitled to organize their own route. They can also seek reimbursement of up to four times the original ticket price. Carriers are required to provide comparable travel conditions and cannot force multiple connections on passengers who booked direct flights. Additionally, airlines must reimburse reasonable and necessary care expenses within 14 calendar days.
Enhanced Baggage and Seating Rights
The legislation introduces a right to carry one personal item, such as a small bag or backpack, without additional charges. Booking platforms are now required to display fares that include a hand baggage allowance upfront. Airlines may also offer cheaper tickets to passengers who opt not to bring hand luggage. Moreover, carriers cannot cancel a return flight solely because the outbound flight was missed, nor can they charge a fee to restore such bookings. The rules also prohibit charges for correcting spelling errors in passenger names.
Families traveling with children under 14 will have the right to seating arrangements next to each other at no extra cost. Passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility will benefit from strengthened rights to assistance, rerouting, and compensation. The new framework also safeguards essential mobility equipment and extends protection to pregnant travelers and unaccompanied minors. EU passenger rights are applicable 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.