EU adopts new airline passenger rights rules after 13 years of talks

The European Union reached an agreement on revised airline passenger rights rules, the first major update in 13 years. The regulation, expected to take effect in 2027, keeps existing compensation amounts of €250‑€600 for flights delayed over three hours and retains the right to claim compensation for cancellations made less than 14 days before departure.

Key consumer protections are expanded: all carriers must include one free personal item and a small cabin bag in the advertised fare, while charging only for larger checked bags. Children under 14 and persons with reduced mobility, plus their companions, are no longer required to pay for seat selection. Airlines must also provide clearer upfront pricing, allow digital boarding passes to be printed, and stop refusing boarding based solely on unused flight segments in a reservation.