Key facts
- EU countries and European Parliament negotiators agreed on a compromise to reform air passenger rights.
- New rules will affect baggage fees, compensation claims, and airline seating policies.
- Airlines must include a trolley bag in the basic airfare and cannot charge parents to sit with children under 14.
- Passengers will retain compensation rights of €250 to €600 for flight cancellations or delays of at least three hours.
- The definition of 'extraordinary circumstances' was revised to exclude unexpected technical equipment failures.
- The new rules are expected to take effect in the second half of 2027.
EU member states and European Parliament negotiators have reached a compromise on reforming air passenger rights, a deal expected to take effect in the second half of 2027. The reform aims to balance the interests of airlines with passenger rights, maintaining current compensation rules for delayed or canceled flights while introducing new consumer protections.
The compromise preserves the three-hour delay threshold for compensation and compensation levels ranging from €250 to €600, depending on flight length. For flights over 3,500 kilometers, compensation will be €300 for delays of three to four hours, and €600 for delays exceeding four hours or for cancellations. Airlines will be required to include a trolley bag in the basic airfare and will be prohibited from charging fees to seat parents with children under 14, or passengers with disabilities with their companions, together. The definition of 'extraordinary circumstances' has been revised to exclude unexpected technical equipment failures.
While consumer groups view the deal as enshrining key rights, airlines have expressed frustration, arguing the new obligations will increase costs and complexity. The European Parliament's conciliation committee unanimously backed the compromise, which was also supported by a broad majority of member countries. Spain and Latvia voted against the deal, while Austria and Finland abstained.
Negotiations also addressed the process for submitting compensation claims, with airlines now required to provide clear instructions, though not the pre-filled forms initially pushed by Parliament. Compensation will be paid directly to passengers, but claim agencies will continue to receive payments on behalf of passengers.