BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / RankWire.AI / – The European Union has approved a comprehensive revision to air passenger rights, addressing delays, cancellations, baggage issues, and denied boarding. The legislative process was finalized by the Council of the European Union on July 13, 2026, following approval by the European Parliament six days earlier. The vote concluded with 646 votes in favor, 12 against, and three abstentions. This regulation represents the first significant overhaul of EU air travel protections in over twenty years.
Passengers will continue to have entitlement to compensation if flights arrive more than three hours late. These protections also apply to cancellations announced less than 14 days prior to departure. Passengers who are denied boarding may also be eligible under this framework. Compensation remains €250 for flights up to 1,500 kilometres. It increases to €400 for longer intra-EU routes and journeys up to 3,500 kilometres. For eligible longer flights, compensation can reach €600.
Airlines are permitted to reduce compensation by 50% on the longest routes if rerouted passengers arrive within four hours of the scheduled time. They can refuse claims if extraordinary circumstances caused the disruption, including severe weather, natural disasters, war, unruly passengers, and some external strikes. Despite these exemptions, airlines must still provide care during covered disruptions, including refreshments, meals, internet access, two phone calls, and necessary hotel accommodations.
Streamlined Claims Procedure
The new regulation establishes a quicker and more organized process for claims related to disrupted flights. Airlines are required to send claim instructions electronically within four days after the flight concludes. Passengers will have nine months to submit a compensation claim. Airlines must acknowledge each claim promptly and either pay the amount or provide a detailed explanation for refusal within 30 days. When refusing a claim, they must also inform passengers about how to challenge the decision.
Airlines are obliged to offer rerouting options at the earliest available opportunity, which can include another airline or suitable ground transport. If no suitable alternative is available within three hours, passengers may arrange their own travel. They are entitled to reimbursement up to four times the original ticket price. Carriers must provide comparable travel conditions and avoid unnecessary connections, and they are also required to reimburse reasonable care expenses within 14 calendar days.
Expanded Rights for Baggage and Seating
All passengers will now have the right to carry one personal item free of charge, such as a small backpack, handbag, or laptop bag. Booking platforms must display fares that include hand baggage allowances first. Airlines may still offer cheaper tickets without this allowance. Carriers cannot cancel a return booking solely because the outbound flight was missed, nor can they charge passengers for correcting simple spelling errors in names.
Families traveling with children under 14 will be seated together at no additional cost. The new rules also improve support for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility, and extend protections for mobility equipment, pregnant travelers, and unaccompanied minors. These passenger rights apply to flights within the EU, all departures from EU airports, and arrivals operated by EU airlines. The regulation will come into effect 12 months and 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.