BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / RankWire.AI / – The European Union has approved a comprehensive update to air passenger rights, addressing delays, cancellations, baggage, and denied boarding. The Council of the European Union finalized the legislative process on July 13, 2026. The European Parliament had endorsed the agreement six days prior. The vote concluded with 646 in favor, 12 against, and three abstentions. This new regulation represents the first significant overhaul of EU air travel protections in over twenty years.
Passengers will continue to have the right to compensation if flights arrive more than three hours late. The protections also apply to cancellations announced less than 14 days before departure. Passengers denied boarding can also be eligible under the same rules. Compensation amounts are €250 for flights up to 1,500 kilometres. For longer intra-EU routes and trips up to 3,500 kilometres, the compensation increases to €400. For qualifying longer flights, payments of €600 can be triggered.
Airlines are permitted to reduce compensation by half on the longest routes if rerouted passengers arrive within four hours of the scheduled time. They can deny claims if extraordinary circumstances caused the disruption, including severe weather, natural disasters, war, unruly passengers, and certain external strikes. Nonetheless, airlines must still provide care during covered disruptions, which includes refreshments, meals, internet access, two telephone calls, and necessary hotel accommodations.
Streamlined Claims Process Introduced
The new regulation establishes a quicker, more organized claims process for affected travelers. Airlines are required to send claim instructions electronically within four days after the journey’s completion. Passengers will have up to nine months to submit their compensation claims. Airlines must acknowledge each claim promptly and either pay or provide a detailed reason for refusal within 30 days. If a claim is rejected, the airline must also explain how the passenger can challenge the decision.
Carriers must offer rerouting at the earliest possible opportunity, potentially using another airline or suitable ground transport. If no suitable option arrives within three hours, passengers are entitled to arrange their own alternative travel. They can request reimbursement up to four times the original ticket cost. Airlines must provide comparable travel conditions and avoid unnecessary connections. They are also 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 without additional fees. This may include a small backpack, handbag, or laptop bag. Booking platforms are required to display fares that include a hand baggage allowance first. Airlines may still offer lower fares without that allowance. Additionally, carriers cannot cancel a return booking solely because the outbound flight was missed, nor can they charge passengers for correcting minor spelling errors in names.
Families with children under 14 will be provided with adjacent seating at no extra cost. The regulations also enhance support for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility, as well as protections for mobility equipment, pregnant travelers, and unaccompanied minors. These EU passenger rights apply to flights within the EU, all departures from EU airports, and arrivals operated by EU airlines. The regulation will take effect 12 months and 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.