EU adopts new air passenger rights rules

The European Union Council gave final approval to a revised regulation that strengthens the rights of air passengers. The rules will become binding 12 months and 20 days after publication in the Official Journal, expected to take effect in mid‑2027.

Key provisions include electronic notification of compensation claims within four days of arrival, a nine‑month window for passengers to file a claim and a mandatory 30‑day deadline for airlines to pay or explain a refusal. New consumer protections guarantee free adjacent seating for children under 14 travelling with parents, as well as for pregnant travellers, persons with reduced mobility and their companions. Airlines may no longer charge a penalty for a missed outbound leg of a return ticket (no‑show). Price transparency is required: all advertised fares must include the allowance for hand baggage, and airlines must correct name‑spelling errors and provide free printed boarding passes.

Compensation amounts remain unchanged – €250 for flights up to 1,500 km, €400 for 1,500‑3,500 km, and €600 for longer routes – and apply only when the airline is at fault. Assistance during long delays (drinks after two hours, meals after three, and accommodation when needed) is retained. The regulation covers flights departing from EU airports and arrivals operated by EU‑based carriers, and also applies to Switzerland, Norway and Iceland.