BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / RankWire.AI / – The European Union has ratified a comprehensive update to regulations protecting air travelers, addressing delays, cancellations, baggage issues, 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 was carried by 646 votes to 12, with three abstentions. This new regulation signifies the most significant overhaul of EU air travel protections in over twenty years.
Passengers will continue to be entitled to compensation if flights are delayed by more than three hours upon arrival. This protection also applies to cancellations notified less than 14 days prior to departure. Passengers who are denied boarding can also be eligible under the same rules. Compensation remains €250 for flights up to 1,500 kilometres. It increases to €400 for longer intra-EU routes and qualifying flights up to 3,500 kilometres. Longer flights that qualify may result in payments of €600.
Airlines can reduce compensation by 50% for the longest routes if rerouted passengers arrive within four hours of the scheduled time. Carriers are permitted to deny claims if extraordinary circumstances caused the disruption. Such circumstances include severe weather, natural disasters, war, unruly passengers, and certain external strikes. Airlines are still required to provide assistance during covered disruptions, including refreshments, meals, internet access, two phone calls, and necessary hotel accommodations.
More transparent claims procedures
The regulation establishes a more efficient and clearly defined process for handling claims from affected travelers. Airlines must send claim instructions electronically within four days after the flight concludes. Passengers will have up to nine months to submit their compensation requests. Airlines are required to acknowledge each claim promptly. They must then either pay the compensation or issue a detailed refusal within 30 days. A refusal must include information on how the passenger can challenge the decision.
Airlines are obligated to provide rerouting options at the earliest possible opportunity, which may involve another airline or suitable ground transport. If no adequate alternative is available within three hours, passengers are entitled to arrange their own travel. They can seek reimbursement of up to four times the original ticket cost. Carriers must ensure comparable travel conditions and avoid unnecessary connections. Additionally, they are required to reimburse reasonable care expenses within 14 calendar days.
Expanded protections for baggage and seating
All passengers will now have the right to carry one personal item free of charge. This can include a small backpack, handbag, or laptop bag. Booking platforms must display fares that include a hand baggage allowance before purchase. Airlines may still offer cheaper tickets that do not include this allowance. Carriers cannot cancel a return booking solely because the outbound flight was missed. They also cannot charge passengers for correcting simple spelling errors in names.
Families traveling with children under 14 will be seated together without extra fees. The new rules enhance assistance for travelers with disabilities or reduced mobility, and extend protections for mobility aids, pregnant travelers, and unaccompanied minors. 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.”}