BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / RankWire.AI / – The European Union has sanctioned a comprehensive revision of air passenger rights, addressing issues such as delays, cancellations, baggage handling, 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 votes in favor, 12 against, and three abstentions. This new regulation represents the most 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 at their destination. These protections also extend to cancellations announced fewer than 14 days prior to departure. Passengers who are denied boarding can also qualify under this framework. Compensation remains at €250 for flights up to 1,500 kilometres. It increases to €400 for longer intra-EU routes and qualifying journeys up to 3,500 kilometres. For longer flights, payments of €600 may be applicable.
Airlines are permitted to reduce compensation by half on the longest routes when rerouted passengers arrive within four hours of the scheduled time. They can reject claims caused by extraordinary circumstances, which include severe weather, natural disasters, war, unruly passengers, and certain external strikes. Despite disruptions, airlines are still required to provide care, including refreshments, meals, internet access, two telephone calls, and necessary hotel accommodations.
Streamlined Claims Procedure Introduced
The new regulation establishes a quicker and more organized claims process for affected travelers. Airlines must send claim instructions electronically within four days after the flight concludes. Passengers will have nine months to submit a compensation request. Airlines are required to acknowledge each claim promptly and either pay the compensation or provide a detailed denial within 30 days. When refusing a claim, airlines must also explain how the passenger can challenge the decision.
Carriers are obliged to arrange rerouting at the earliest opportunity, which may involve using another airline or ground transport. If no suitable alternative is available within three hours, passengers can organize their own travel. They are entitled to seek reimbursement of up to four times the original ticket price. Airlines must provide comparable travel conditions and avoid unnecessary connections, as well as 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 are required to display fares that include a hand baggage allowance first. Airlines may still offer lower-cost tickets without this allowance. Carriers are prohibited from canceling a return flight solely because the outbound flight was missed. Additionally, they cannot charge passengers for correcting simple spelling errors in names.
Families traveling with children under 14 will be entitled to adjacent seating at no extra cost. The regulations reinforce assistance for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility, and extend protections for mobility equipment, pregnant travelers, and unaccompanied minors. These EU passenger rights apply to flights within the union, departures from EU airports, and arrivals operated by EU airlines. The regulation will come into force 12 months and 20 days after publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.