EU adopts new airline passenger rights rules

EU member states have reached a compromise on new passenger‑rights legislation. The agreement keeps the three‑hour delay threshold for compensation, with amounts set at €250 for flights up to 1,500 km, €400 for 1,500–3,500 km and €600 for longer routes. Airlines must inform passengers of compensation eligibility within 90 hours of a disruption.

Key consumer‑friendly changes include: cabin baggage will be included in the ticket price but passengers can opt out for a lower fare; seat‑selection fees for parents travelling with children under 14 are abolished; airlines cannot cancel a return flight if the outbound leg is missed, and they must honor the original return ticket without extra charge. Technical faults are no longer treated as a force‑majeure exemption from compensation. Proposals to increase compensation rates, index them to inflation, or require airlines to provide pre‑filled claim forms were not adopted. The rules are slated to take effect 12 months after adoption.

The deal is seen as a balanced outcome between passenger groups and airlines, preserving existing compensation levels while introducing modest transparency and cost‑saving measures for travellers across the EU.