Modernisation of air passenger rights

According to the European Parliament's press release of 15 June 2026, the European Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement to modernise the EU air passenger rights framework while preserving the core rights established under the existing regime. The agreement maintains passengers' entitlement to reimbursement or re-routing, as well as financial compensation in cases of flight cancellation, denied boarding, or delays exceeding three hours. Compensation remains distance-based, amounting to EUR 250 for flights up to 1,500 km, EUR 400 for flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km, and EUR 600 for flights exceeding 3,500 km. For the longest routes, compensation may be reduced by 50% where passengers are offered suitable re-routing or where the arrival delay does not exceed four hours. Airlines remain exempt from paying compensation where the disruption is caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond their control.

The reform strengthens carriers' duty of care by introducing clearer obligations regarding refreshments, meals, accommodation and the provision of information during disruptions. Airlines must also establish a more transparent claims process, including defined deadlines for passengers to submit claims and for carriers to respond.

The agreement further enhances protection for vulnerable passengers by strengthening the rights of persons with disabilities or reduced mobility and by prohibiting airlines from charging additional fees for seating children under 14 next to their accompanying adult. It also increases fare transparency by requiring airlines and booking platforms to display ticket prices, including carry-on luggage, at the beginning of the booking process. Additional consumer rights include the free correction of minor spelling errors in passengers' names, a ban on fees for printed boarding passes after check-in, and the right to obtain and use digital boarding passes without creating an account or downloading an application.

The press release notes that the provisional agreement remains subject to formal approval by both the European Parliament and the Council following legal-linguistic revision before the revised rules can enter into force.