EU adopts new airline passenger rights rules for luggage, boarding passes and compensation

The European Parliament has voted in favor of a comprehensive set of airline passenger‑rights rules that now await final approval from the EU Council before becoming law. The agreement requires airlines, online travel agencies and search engines to display the full ticket price, including the cost of hand luggage, from the moment a reservation is made. Hand‑luggage will be included in the base fare, and passengers may bring one small personal item without additional charge.

New consumer protections mandate that a boarding pass – either digital or printed – must be issued automatically at check‑in, without forcing passengers to create an account or download a specific app. Airlines are also barred from charging fees for simple name corrections.

For families, pregnant travellers and persons with reduced mobility, the rules obligate airlines to provide a free adjacent seat for children under 14 and for eligible adults, and to offer re‑routing, assistance and compensation when service failures prevent boarding. Compensation limits remain €250 to €600 depending on flight distance, with claims to be submitted within nine months and airlines required to respond within 30 days. In long delays, carriers must provide refreshments after two hours, meals after three hours and, if necessary, accommodation for up to three nights. Airlines must also send clear electronic instructions for compensation claims within four days of a disruption.