European Parliament approves air passenger rights changes

The European Parliament approved changes to EU air passenger rights rules on 7 July 2026, after a deal with the Council. MEPs backed the text by 646 votes to 12, with 3 abstentions. Compensation after delays of more than 3 hours remains in place, but refund and claims procedures will become more structured.

The changes update rules that have applied since 2004. The legislative process is not yet complete. After Parliament’s approval, the Council is expected to confirm the agreement in early August 2026.

Three hours remain the threshold

Passengers will still be able to claim compensation when a flight arrives more than 3 hours late. The same applies when a flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure or when a passenger is denied boarding.

The compensation bands remain unchanged. Flights of up to 1,500 km carry compensation of €250. Intra-EU flights of more than 1,500 km and other flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km carry compensation of €400. Longer flights remain at €600.

Airlines will still be able to cut compensation by 50% on the longest routes if they offer rerouting or if the arrival delay does not exceed 4 hours. Carriers will not have to pay compensation when disruption results from extraordinary circumstances outside their control.

The revised rules will include an open list of such circumstances. Parliament lists natural disasters, war, weather, disruptive passenger behaviour, and strikes by airport, air traffic control and ground handling staff.

Nine months to file a claim

A passenger who chooses a refund instead of rerouting should receive the money automatically. When disruption occurs, the airline will have to send clear instructions on how to file a compensation request within 4 days of the end of the journey.

Passengers will have 9 months to file a compensation claim. Airlines will then have 30 days to pay, invoke extraordinary circumstances or explain why compensation is not due. They must also tell passengers how to file a complaint.

Passengers will not need a user account or a special app to receive claims information. Airlines will retain their duty of care for stranded passengers. They must still provide refreshments every 2 hours of waiting, a meal after 3 hours and accommodation during long delays where needed.

Baggage shown from the start

The revised rules include the right to bring one personal item on board free of charge, such as a small bag or backpack. Airlines, intermediaries and search platforms will have to show the fare with cabin baggage from the start of the booking process.

Carriers will be allowed to offer cheaper tickets to passengers who travel without cabin baggage. The difference should be visible when passengers compare fares, not only later in the purchase flow.

Airlines will no longer be able to charge extra fees for correcting spelling mistakes in names. Passengers will not pay for a printed boarding pass if they have already checked in. They should also receive a digital boarding pass during check-in without filing a separate request, creating an account or using a special app.

Return ticket protected

A passenger with a return ticket will be able to take the return flight even if they did not use the outbound leg. The airline will not be allowed to charge an extra fee for this.

The rules also strengthen protection for families and passengers who need assistance. A person accompanying a child under 14 must be seated next to the child at no extra cost. The same right will apply to passengers with disabilities, passengers with reduced mobility and pregnant women.

Passengers with disabilities and reduced mobility will have a right to compensation, rerouting and airline assistance if they miss a flight because the airport failed to help them reach the gate on time.

One year to prepare

For managed travel, the implementation calendar is the practical point. After publication in the Official Journal of the EU, the rules will enter into force after 20 days. Member states and companies will then have 1 year to prepare.

For companies managing business travel, two areas matter most: the retention of compensation thresholds and clearer deadlines in the claims process. The new obligations will not apply immediately after Parliament’s vote. The sources also do not specify how airlines will implement them in booking systems and agency channels.