BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / RankWire.AI / – The European Union has given the green light to a comprehensive overhaul of 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. The European Parliament had approved the agreement six days earlier. The vote concluded with 646 votes 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 have rights to compensation if their flights arrive more than three hours late. The protections also apply to cancellations announced less than 14 days before departure. Travelers denied boarding are also included under the same framework. Compensation remains set at €250 for flights up to 1,500 kilometres, increasing 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 when rerouted passengers arrive within four hours of the scheduled time. They can deny claims if extraordinary circumstances caused the disruption. Such circumstances include severe weather, natural disasters, war, unruly passengers, and some external strikes. Still, airlines are required to provide care during covered disruptions, including refreshments, meals, internet access, two phone calls, and necessary hotel accommodations.
Clarity in Claims Procedure
The new regulation establishes a quicker and more organized claims process for affected travelers. Airlines are obligated to send claim instructions electronically within four days following the end of the journey. Passengers then have nine months to submit their compensation requests. Airlines must acknowledge each claim promptly and either pay the owed amount or issue a detailed refusal within 30 days. Any refusal must include information on how the passenger can challenge the decision.
Re-routing options must be offered at the earliest available opportunity, which can include using another carrier or suitable ground transportation transport. If no appropriate alternative is provided within three hours, passengers are entitled to organize their own travel arrangements. They can also request reimbursement up to four times the original ticket price. Airlines are required to ensure comparable travel conditions and avoid unnecessary connections, and to reimburse reasonable care expenses within 14 calendar days.
Enhanced Baggage and Seating Rights
All passengers will have the right to carry one personal item—such as a small backpack, handbag, or laptop bag—free of charge. Booking platforms must initially display fares that include a hand baggage allowance. Airlines may still offer cheaper tickets that do not include this allowance. Carriers cannot cancel a return booking solely because the traveler missed the outbound flight, nor can they charge fees for correcting simple spelling errors in names.
Families traveling with children under 14 will be seated next to each other at no additional cost. The regulations also bolster support for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility, and extend protections to those carrying mobility equipment, pregnant travelers, and unaccompanied minors. These passenger rights apply to flights within the EU, 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.