The new EU rules provide for faster compensation for flight delays, free seat selection for children, and ticket prices that include carry-on luggage.

On Tuesday, MEPs approved, with 646 votes in favor, 12 against, and 3 abstentions, the changes to the rules on air passenger rights, which were agreed upon with the Council of the EU in the Conciliation Committee. These rules, which have been in effect since 2004, aim to better protect passengers in the event of problems during their trip, such as denied boarding, delays, and flight cancellations.

Safeguarding existing rights

MEPs have ensured that passengers will continue to be entitled to a refund or rebooking on another flight in the event of a cancellation. Passengers will also continue to be able to claim compensation for delays of more than three hours, if the flight is canceled with less than 14 days’ notice or if they are denied boarding. Compensation amounts remain at current levels and are calculated based on flight distance: 250 euros for flights up to 1,500 km, €400 for flights within the EU exceeding 1,500 km and for other flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km, and €600 for all other longer-distance flights. For long-haul flights, airlines may reduce compensation by 50%, provided they offer passengers re-routing on another flight to their final destination and the delay upon arrival does not exceed four hours.

Airlines will not be required to pay compensation when the delay or cancellation is due to extraordinary circumstances beyond their control. The new rules include a non-exhaustive list of such circumstances, such as natural disasters, wars, adverse weather conditions, disruptive passengers, as well as strikes at airports, air navigation services, or ground handling companies.

Airlines remain obligated to provide assistance to passengers who are unable to continue their journey. They must provide them with refreshments every two hours of waiting, a meal after three hours, and, when necessary, accommodation for up to three nights, provided the delay is due to circumstances beyond the airline’s control.

Easier Refunds and Compensation

MEPs insisted that the refund process be made faster and simpler. Those who choose a refund instead of rebooking will receive it automatically, while those who encounter problems during their trip will be provided with clear instructions on how to claim compensation, no later than four days after the completion of their trip. MEPs also ensured that this information will be provided without requiring a user account or a specific app.

Passengers will have nine months to file a claim for compensation. For their part, airlines must either pay the compensation within 30 days or justify their decision by citing extraordinary circumstances. At the same time, they will be required to inform passengers about the procedures available for filing and reviewing complaints.

More rights for passengers

Passengers will be able to use their return flight as normal, even if they did not take the outbound flight, at no additional cost.

The new rules also guarantee the right to carry, at no extra cost, a personal item such as a small bag or backpack. At the same time, to ensure greater transparency and make it easier to compare prices, MEPs insisted that airlines, travel agents, and search engines display the ticket price along with the cost of carry-on luggage from the very beginning of the booking process. Under the new rules, airlines will be able to offer cheaper tickets to those who choose to travel without carry-on luggage.

Passengers will no longer be charged additional fees for correcting any spelling errors in their name or for issuing a paper boarding pass, provided they have already checked in.” MEPs also ensured that boarding passes will be available in digital format without requiring a request, user account, or specific app. Furthermore, airlines will not be allowed to deny boarding to a passenger because they used a printed boarding pass that was issued digitally.

Protection for the Most Vulnerable Passengers

MEPs have ensured that passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility will be entitled to compensation, re-routing, and the necessary assistance from the airline, if they miss their flight because the airport failed to help them reach the boarding gate on time. They also ensured that families will not be separated when seats are assigned. Airlines will be required to seat any adult accompanying a child under 14 in an adjacent seat at no extra charge. The same right will apply to passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility, as well as to pregnant women.

Statements

The Vice-Chair of the Committee on Transport and Tourism, Virginijus Sinkevičius (Greens, Lithuania), stated: “We have good news for everyone who flies. We’ve worked hard to ensure that passengers don’t lose the rights they already had, while also providing better protection for families, people with reduced mobility, and others who need it most.”

The rapporteur, Andrey Novakov (EPP, Bulgaria), emphasized: “Today’s vote is a victory for both passengers and European aviation. After more than 13 years of deadlock, we are finally replacing uncertainty with clear rules, stronger rights, and trust. “When people board a plane, they won’t have to leave their rights behind.”

Next Steps

Following its adoption by the European Parliament, the agreement reached in the Conciliation Committee must, as part of the third-reading procedure, also be ratified by the Council by early August 2026. The new rules will enter into force 20 days after their publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Member states and airlines will then have one year to prepare for their implementation.