BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / RankWire.AI / – The European Union has approved a comprehensive overhaul of air passenger protections concerning delays, cancellations, baggage, and denied boarding. The Council of the European Union finalized the legislative process on July 13, 2026. The European Parliament had approved the agreement six days earlier. The vote concluded with 646 in favor, 12 against, and three abstentions. This regulation represents the most significant update to EU air travel protections in over twenty years.
Passengers will continue to be entitled to compensation if their flights arrive at their destination more than three hours late. The protections also extend to cancellations announced less than 14 days prior to departure. Passengers who are denied boarding can also qualify under these provisions. Compensation remains at €250 for flights up to 1,500 kilometres. For longer intra-EU routes and qualifying journeys up to 3,500 kilometres, the amount increases to €400. 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 also deny claims if extraordinary circumstances caused the disruption. Such circumstances include severe weather, natural disasters, war, unruly passengers, and some external strikes. Airlines are still required to provide assistance during covered disruptions, including refreshments, meals, internet access, two telephone calls, and necessary hotel accommodation.
Streamlined Claims Procedure
The new regulation establishes a more efficient and transparent claims process for affected travelers. Airlines must send claim instructions electronically within four days after the end of the journey. Passengers will have nine months to submit their compensation requests. Airlines are required to acknowledge each claim promptly and either pay the compensation or provide a detailed explanation for refusal within 30 days. When refusing a claim, airlines must also inform passengers how to challenge the decision.
Carriers must offer rerouting options at the earliest available opportunity, potentially utilizing another airline or suitable ground transport. If no suitable alternative is available within three hours, passengers are allowed to arrange their own travel. They can request reimbursement up to four times the original ticket price. Airlines must provide comparable travel conditions and avoid unnecessary connections. Additionally, they are required to reimburse reasonable care expenses within 14 calendar days.
Enhanced Baggage and Seating Rights
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 a hand baggage allowance upfront. Airlines may still offer lower-cost tickets that exclude this allowance. They are also prohibited from canceling a return booking solely because the passenger missed the outbound flight. Additionally, airlines cannot charge passengers for correcting minor spelling errors in names.
Families with children under 14 will be entitled to seating arrangements next to each other without additional fees. The regulations also reinforce assistance provisions for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility and expand 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.