Flyers in EU just won big after a 13-year fight over flight rights

The European Parliament has approved a major update to EU air passenger rights, retaining compensation for flight delays of three hours or more. The package also introduces free family seating, clearer refund and compensation procedures, transparent ticket pricing and stronger assistance for passengers with reduced mobility.

MEPs voted 646 to 12 in favour of the agreement.

Under the updated rules, passengers will continue to receive:

• €250 for flights shorter than 1,500km
• €400 for flights between 1,500km and 3,500km
• €600 for flights longer than 3,500km

The same compensation amounts will apply when airlines cancel flights less than 14 days before departure or deny passengers boarding.

Airlines may reduce compensation by 50% on the longest routes if they offer suitable rerouting and the passenger reaches the final destination within four hours of the scheduled arrival time.

Airlines will not have to pay compensation when a disruption results from circumstances beyond their control. The rules list natural disasters, war, severe weather, unruly passengers and strikes by airport, air navigation or ground-handling staff as extraordinary circumstances.

The three-hour compensation threshold was the main point of disagreement during negotiations. Airlines and some governments had sought greater flexibility, while Parliament argued that existing passenger rights should remain in place.

Airlines will have clearer deadlines

Airlines will have to provide passengers with clear instructions on how to claim compensation within four days after a disrupted journey ends.

Carriers will then have 30 days to pay the compensation or explain why the passenger does not qualify. Passengers will have nine months to submit a claim.

Airlines must also provide refreshments every two hours during long disruptions. Meals must be provided after three hours, while accommodation may be required for up to three nights.

Passengers with reduced mobility who miss a flight because airport assistance was not provided will be entitled to compensation, rerouting and further support.

Children under 14 to get free family seating

Airlines will have to seat children under 14 next to an accompanying adult without charging an additional fee.

Similar provisions will apply to passengers with reduced mobility and pregnant women. Passengers will also be entitled to carry one personal item, such as a small bag or backpack, free of charge.

Airlines can continue to offer lower fares to passengers who do not carry hand luggage. However, ticket prices must show cabin baggage charges clearly so travellers can compare fares more easily.

Passengers will not have to pay extra to correct a spelling mistake in their name. They will also be entitled to a printed boarding pass if they have already checked in.

Airlines must provide a digital boarding pass at check-in without requiring passengers to create an account or download a specific app. They also cannot deny boarding to passengers who use their own printed copy of a digital pass.

The agreement will also stop airlines from cancelling a passenger’s return booking only because the passenger did not use the outbound flight. The practice is known as a no-show policy.

Rules took 13 years to finalise

The European Commission proposed changes to the EU’s air passenger rights rules in 2013. Disagreements among member states delayed the legislation for 13 years.

Negotiators reached a political agreement in a conciliation committee last month. The agreement aims to provide clearer rules for passengers and greater legal certainty for airlines.

The European Parliament has now endorsed the joint text. The Council of the European Union must also confirm it before the legislation can take effect.

The rules will enter into force 20 days after publication in the EU’s Official Journal. Member states and airlines will then have one year to prepare before the rules begin to apply.