The European Parliament and the Council of the EU have finally approved the updated rules on air passenger protection. These rules guarantee that children are seated free of charge next to their accompanying adults, strengthen protection for passengers requiring assistance, and maintain compensation for flight cancellations and long delays. The reform also changes the way fares are displayed and the rules on hand luggage.
Briefly about the main points
- Children under the age of 14 will be seated next to their accompanying adult free of charge.
- Compensation for arrivals delayed by three hours or more remains in place.
- Personal items stored under the seat should be free of charge.
- Airlines will be able to offer cheaper fares without hand luggage.
The reform was agreed following a review lasting several years
The European Parliament approved the agreed text by 646 votes, with 12 MEPs voting against and a further three abstaining. The Council of the EU gave its final approval to the legislation.
Basic rules Air passenger rights have been in force since 2004, and the process of revising them has taken over a decade. The vote in the European Parliament took place on 7 July 2026, and the EU Council’s final decision was taken on 13 July.
Under the new rules, compensation for a cancelled flight or a flight arriving more than three hours late will remain in place: between 250 and 600 euros, depending on the flight distance.
Free places for children and additional guarantees
A free adjacent seat will be guaranteed for a child under the age of 14 and the adult accompanying them. The same principle will apply to people with disabilities or reduced mobility and passengers who require additional assistance.
Such passengers are entitled to free carriage of mobility aids and guide dogs without the need for additional insurance. If any equipment is lost or damaged, it must be replaced free of charge.
A passenger will be entitled to compensation if they miss a flight or a connecting flight due to inadequate assistance from the airport.
Luggage, return tickets and additional charges
Passengers will be entitled to carry one personal item free of charge under their seat, with approximate dimensions of up to 40×30×15 centimetres. The fare including hand luggage must be displayed by default before the booking process begins.
At the same time, airlines will be able to offer a cheaper fare without hand luggage, and the reform does not set a single standard for its weight or size.
Airlines will also be prohibited from refusing to allow passengers to board a return flight on the grounds that the first leg of their ticket has not been used. No separate charge may be levied for an obvious error in a passenger’s name or for a paper boarding pass issued after check-in. The rules will come into force 12 months and 20 days after publication in the Official Journal of the EU.
