BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / RankWire.AI / – The European Union has approved a broad update to air passenger rights covering delays, cancellations, baggage and denied boarding. The Council of the European Union completed the legislative process on July 13, 2026. The European Parliament had endorsed the agreement six days earlier. The vote passed by 646 votes to 12, with three abstentions. The new regulation marks the first major revision of EU air travel protections in more than two decades.
Passengers will retain compensation rights when flights reach their destination more than three hours late. The protection also covers cancellations announced fewer than 14 days before departure. Travellers denied boarding can qualify under the same framework. Compensation remains €250 for flights of up to 1,500 kilometres. It rises to €400 for longer intra-EU routes and qualifying journeys up to 3,500 kilometres. Eligible longer flights can trigger payments of €600.
Airlines may cut compensation by half on the longest routes when rerouted passengers arrive within four hours of schedule. Carriers can reject claims when extraordinary circumstances caused the disruption. These circumstances include severe weather, natural disasters, war, unruly passengers and some external strikes. Airlines must still provide care during covered disruptions. That support includes refreshments, meals, internet access, two telephone calls and necessary hotel accommodation.
Claims process becomes clearer
The regulation introduces a faster and more structured claims process for disrupted travellers. Airlines must send claim instructions electronically within four days after the journey ends. Passengers will have nine months to submit a request for compensation. Carriers must acknowledge each claim without delay. They must then pay the amount or issue a reasoned refusal within 30 days. A refusal must also explain how the passenger can challenge the decision.
Airlines must offer rerouting at the earliest available opportunity. They may use another carrier or a suitable form of ground transport. When no suitable option arrives within three hours, passengers may arrange their own journey. They can request reimbursement worth up to four times the original ticket price. Carriers must offer comparable travel conditions and avoid unnecessary connections. They must also repay reasonable care expenses within 14 calendar days.
Baggage and seating protections expand
Every passenger will gain the right to carry one personal item without an extra charge. The item may include a small backpack, handbag or laptop bag. Booking platforms must first display fares that include a hand baggage allowance. Airlines may still offer cheaper tickets without that allowance. Carriers cannot cancel a return booking only because the traveller missed the outbound flight. They also cannot charge passengers to correct simple spelling mistakes in names.
Families with children under 14 will receive adjacent seating without added fees. The rules strengthen assistance for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility. They also expand protections for mobility equipment, pregnant travellers and unaccompanied minors. EU passenger rights cover flights within the bloc and all departures from EU airports. They also cover arrivals operated by EU airlines. The regulation will apply 12 months and 20 days after publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.