European Parliament adopts new airline passenger compensation rules

The European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on revising EU air‑passenger rights. The deal keeps compensation for flights delayed three hours or more, speeds up refunds, provides free seats for children under 14 and demands transparent ticket pricing.

Compensation amounts are €250 for journeys up to 1,500 km, €400 for 1,500‑3,500 km and €600 for longer trips. Airlines may halve payouts for the longest flights if they offer rerouting or if the arrival delay is under four hours. Airlines must pay within 30 days and passengers have nine months to file a claim.

The rules list extraordinary circumstances – natural disasters, war, severe weather, disruptive passengers or air‑traffic‑service strikes – where airlines can be exempt. They also require assistance: drinks every two hours, a meal after three hours and accommodation for up to three nights during prolonged delays.

Additional safeguards guarantee assistance for passengers with reduced mobility, disabilities, pregnant women and families with children under 14, including seat allocation together without extra charge and one free personal item. Airlines must show the full ticket price, including hand baggage, at the start of the booking process.