Key facts
- EU countries approved a compromise on air passenger rights reform, with Spain and Latvia voting against it.
- The reform preserves the three-hour delay threshold for compensation and sets compensation levels from €250 to €600.
- New rules will require airlines to include a carry-on bag in the basic fare and prohibit fees for seating families together.
- Airlines must provide clear instructions on how to submit compensation claims.
- The new rules are expected to take effect in the second half of 2027.
EU countries have approved a compromise deal to overhaul air passenger rights, with the new rules expected to take effect in the second half of 2027. The agreement, reached after years of negotiations, was backed by a large majority of member states, though Spain and Latvia voted against it, and Austria and Finland abstained.
The reform aims to balance airline and passenger interests, affecting claims for canceled or delayed flights, airline seating, and baggage rules. Passengers will retain the right to compensation ranging from €250 to €600 for flights canceled or delayed by at least three hours, with specific tiers for longer flights.
Under the new rules, airlines must include a small bag and a trolley bag in the basic airfare, though passengers can opt out for a discount. Fees will be prohibited for seating parents with children under 14 together, as well as for passengers with disabilities and their companions.
While consumer rights advocates acknowledge the preservation of key compensation rights, airlines criticize the deal as "bad law" that does not address the root causes of delays and cancellations. The compromise requires airlines to provide passengers with clear instructions on how to submit compensation requests, a point of contention during negotiations.
The criteria for 'extraordinary circumstances,' under which airlines are exempt from paying compensation, have also been revised. Events outside the carrier's control, such as extreme weather, will not warrant compensation beyond a refund. However, 'unexpected flight safety shortcomings' have been excluded from this category.
Compensation will continue to be payable to both individual passengers and claim agencies.