BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / RankWire.AI / – The European Union has approved a comprehensive update to air passenger rights concerning delays, cancellations, baggage, and denied boarding. The European Union Council finalized the legislative process on July 13, 2026. The European Parliament had approved the agreement six days earlier. The vote was passed with 646 votes in favor, 12 against, and three abstentions. This new regulation represents the first significant overhaul of EU air travel protections in more than twenty years.
Passengers will continue to have the right to compensation if their flights arrive more than three hours late. The new rules also apply to cancellations announced less than 14 days before departure. Passengers who are denied boarding can also be eligible under this framework. Compensation remains set at €250 for flights up to 1,500 kilometers. It increases to €400 for longer intra-EU routes and qualifying journeys up to 3,500 kilometers. For longer flights, eligible travelers can receive payments of €600.
Airlines are permitted to reduce compensation by 50% on the longest routes when rerouted passengers arrive within four hours of the scheduled time. Carriers are allowed to reject claims if extraordinary circumstances caused the disruption. Such circumstances include severe weather, natural disasters, war, unruly passengers, and some external strikes. Despite these exceptions, airlines must still provide care during covered disruptions, including refreshments, meals, internet access, two telephone calls, and necessary hotel accommodations.
Improved clarity in the claims process
The regulation introduces a more efficient and structured process for handling claims related to disruptions. Airlines are required to send claim instructions electronically within four days after the journey concludes. Passengers will have nine months to submit their compensation requests. Airlines must acknowledge each claim promptly and either pay the compensation or provide a detailed refusal within 30 days. If a claim is denied, the refusal must include information on how the passenger can challenge the decision.
Airlines are obligated to offer rerouting options at the earliest available opportunity, which can include using another carrier or suitable ground transportation transport. If no suitable alternative arrives within three hours, passengers are allowed to arrange their own travel. They can request reimbursement of up to four times the original ticket price. Carriers 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 have the right to carry one personal item without extra charge. This item can include a small backpack, handbag, or laptop bag. Booking platforms must display fares that include a hand baggage allowance from the outset. Airlines may still offer cheaper tickets that exclude this allowance. Carriers cannot cancel a return booking solely because the traveler missed the outbound flight. They also cannot charge passengers for correcting simple spelling errors in names.
Families traveling with children under 14 will be entitled to adjacent seating at no additional cost. The regulations also strengthen assistance for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility. Protections are expanded for mobility equipment, pregnant travelers, and unaccompanied minors. EU passenger rights apply to flights within the union and all departures from EU airports, as well as 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.