EU finalises overhaul of air passenger rights for all flights departing the bloc

The European Parliament and EU member states have reached a compromise on a reform of air passenger rights. The new rules keep the existing compensation amounts – €250 for flights up to 1,500 km, €400 up to 3,500 km and €600 for longer routes – and retain the three‑hour delay threshold. They will apply to every flight that takes off from an EU airport, regardless of the airline’s nationality.

Key additions include a requirement for airlines to show ticket prices inclusive of hand‑luggage fees, a nine‑month deadline for filing compensation claims, free printed tickets for passengers who check‑in digitally, mandatory written information about rights within 96 hours of a problem, the ability for families with children to sit together without extra charge, free correction of misspelled passenger names and the right for musicians to carry small instruments in the cabin. Airlines will have one year after formal adoption to implement the changes.

The agreement is expected to receive a formal vote in the European Parliament shortly, followed by ratification by the Council of Ministers.