After more than a decade of negotiations, the European Union has finalised a comprehensive overhaul of air passenger rights. On 7 July, the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly — 646 to 12 — in favour of updating Regulation 261/2004, with the Council following suit on 13 July. The new rules, which build on the political agreement reached on 15 June, are set to take effect in mid-2027.
The reform addresses long-standing frustrations for travellers across the continent. Under the current system, passengers whose flights are delayed or cancelled often face opaque airline websites, confusing reimbursement procedures, and rejections without clear explanations. The updated framework aims to eliminate these obstacles by imposing stricter transparency and procedural requirements on carriers.
Key Changes for Passengers
Compensation for delays exceeding three hours remains unchanged: between €250 and €600, depending on flight distance. Reimbursement or re-routing for cancelled flights also stays in place. However, the new rules introduce several practical improvements. Passengers can now correct minor name-spelling errors at no extra cost and receive a digital boarding pass at check-in without needing a specific airline app. Children under 14 and passengers with disabilities are guaranteed a seat next to their accompanying person free of charge.
Airlines must provide clear, step-by-step instructions on how to claim compensation and send passengers an electronic EU-wide standardised form — or their own equivalent — to fill out. Carriers can only cancel flights due to “extraordinary circumstances” and must specify the exact cause of the disruption. The cost of carry-on luggage must be included in the base fare, and inbound flights cannot be cancelled simply because a passenger missed the outbound leg.
The update also mandates greater price transparency, ensuring that travellers see the full cost of a ticket — including all mandatory fees — before booking. This measure is designed to prevent the kind of hidden charges that have long frustrated consumers.
For a deeper look at the broader context of these reforms, see our earlier analysis: EU Strengthens Air Passenger Rights: New Rules from 2027.
The new rules come at a time when European air travel is booming. In Greece, for instance, air traffic has reached record levels: Greek Airspace Sets New Daily Flight Record with Over 5,000 Movements. Meanwhile, the EU is also moving to expand its carbon market to cover international flights from 2029, as reported in EU Carbon Market Expansion to Cover International Flights from 2029.
The regulation applies to all flights departing from an EU airport, as well as flights arriving in the EU operated by EU-based carriers. This means passengers flying from Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt am Main, or Amsterdam Schiphol will be covered, as will those flying into the bloc on airlines like Lufthansa, Air France, or Ryanair. The rules also extend to flights within the European Economic Area, covering Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
For passengers in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and the Balkans, the situation is more complex. The UK has its own passenger rights framework post-Brexit, while Switzerland and Balkan states are not directly bound by EU regulations. However, many of these countries have adopted similar standards through bilateral agreements or national legislation.
The reform is the culmination of thirteen years of advocacy by MEPs and consumer groups. The European Parliament’s transport committee played a central role, pushing for stronger protections against airline practices that often left passengers out of pocket. The final text represents a compromise between the Parliament, the Council, and the European Commission.
While the new rules will not come into force until mid-2027, airlines are expected to begin adapting their systems and procedures well in advance. For now, passengers should continue to document any disruptions and file claims promptly under the existing rules. The upcoming changes promise a more straightforward process — but travellers will have to wait a few more summers before they can fully benefit.
