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Air passenger rights

TA-10-2026-0009 · P10_TA(2026)0009 · PE778.081

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Parliament's amended version of the regulation updating EU air passenger rights covers denied boarding, cancellation, delay, missed connections, and upgrades or downgrades. It sets compensation levels, defines extraordinary circumstances, and strengthens passenger information and enforcement. The text also amends rules on air carrier liability for baggage and mobility equipment, including special declarations of interest and temporary replacements for passengers with disabilities.

Key points

  1. Compensation for disruptions is set at EUR 300 for intra-Union journeys and journeys up to 1,500 km, EUR 400 for journeys above 1,500 km up to 3,500 km, and EUR 600 for journeys above 3,500 km.
  2. Compensation for delays at arrival arises after three hours or more, regardless of distance, and for cancellations or missed connections when the delay at arrival exceeds three hours.
  3. Extraordinary circumstances are defined by an exhaustive list in the Annex, including natural disasters, war, terrorism, and certain strikes, but excluding technical problems that could be remedied by preventive maintenance.
  4. Passengers have the right to one personal item and one piece of hand baggage in the cabin at no extra cost, with hand baggage up to 100 cm total dimensions and 7 kg.
  5. Air carriers must provide pre-filled forms for compensation requests within 48 hours of disruption, and must pay compensation or justify refusal within seven working days of the request.
  6. Passengers may arrange their own rerouting if the carrier does not offer one within three hours, and the carrier must reimburse necessary expenses up to 400% of the ticket cost.
  7. In case of downgrading, carriers must reimburse 30% of the flight price for flights up to 1,500 km, 50% for intra-Union flights above 1,500 km and other flights up to 3,500 km, and 75% for longer flights.
  8. Air carriers must offer assistance such as refreshments every two hours, meals after three hours, and hotel accommodation for overnight stays, with limitations only in extraordinary circumstances.
  9. Airports with over five million annual passengers must have contingency plans for multiple disruptions, and all airports must provide free drinking water and recharging stations.
  10. National enforcement bodies must be independent, monitor compliance, and impose effective sanctions; alternative dispute resolution is mandatory and binding for carriers and intermediaries.
  11. Air carriers must provide contact points at airports and accessible complaint forms for baggage issues, and must inform passengers of their rights in accessible formats.

Who is affected

  • Air passengers: gain rights to compensation, assistance, and information, including free hand baggage and protection in case of airline insolvency.
  • Air carriers: face obligations to provide compensation, assistance, and information, and must comply with new rules on extraordinary circumstances and enforcement.
  • Airport managing bodies: must develop contingency plans at large airports and provide facilities like drinking water and recharging stations.
  • National enforcement bodies: must be independent, monitor compliance, and handle complaints, with powers to impose sanctions.
  • Persons with disabilities and reduced mobility: receive rights to special declarations for mobility equipment, temporary replacements, and accessible information.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 300 for intra-Union journeys and journeys of 1,500 km or less.
  • EUR 400 for journeys above 1,500 km and up to 3,500 km.
  • EUR 600 for journeys above 3,500 km.
  • Three hours threshold for delay compensation.
  • 100 cm maximum dimensions and 7 kg maximum weight for hand baggage.
  • 400% of ticket cost for self-rerouting reimbursement.
  • 30%, 50%, and 75% downgrade compensation percentages.
  • Five million annual passengers threshold for airport contingency plans.

Legal basis: Article 100(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union