The Council of the EU has officially approved a new package of reforms on air passenger rights, which will come into force in mid-2027. Key changes include the right for children under 14 to sit next to their parents at no extra charge, free rectification of booking errors, automatic inclusion of hand luggage in the fare, and a simplified complaints procedure.
Briefly about the main points
- Children under the age of 14 will be able to fly alongside their parents in the EU at no extra cost.
- Hand luggage will be included in the ticket price by default.
- Failing to board the outbound flight will not result in the cancellation of your return ticket.
- Complaints may be lodged within 9 months; a response must be provided within 30 days.
- In the event of delays, meals, accommodation and transport are guaranteed.
What changes have been approved for passengers in the EU?
The new rules apply to all flights departing from EU airports, as well as on arrival, if the flight is operated by an EU airline. Children under 14, pregnant women and people with reduced mobility will be able to sit next to their accompanying persons free of charge with no extra charge for seat selection.
Airlines are required to correct errors on tickets free of charge and to provide printed boarding passes following online check-in. The ticket price will, by default, include hand luggage, making it easier for passengers to compare prices.
New guarantees in the event of delays and cancellations
Passengers will be able to use their return ticket, even if they have missed their outbound flight, without incurring any penalties. In the event of a compulsory downgrade, passengers will receive an automatic refund.
In the event of a flight delay, passengers will be provided with drinks after two hours, a meal after three hours, and thereafter a meal every five hours, but no more than three times a day. Where necessary, free hotel accommodation and a transfer will be provided.
Simplifying the complaints procedure and keeping passengers informed
Passengers will receive written information about their rights within 96 hours of the end of their journey. They have nine months to lodge a complaint, and the airline must respond or pay compensation within 30 days.
The rules on compensation for flight delays and cancellations remain largely unchanged, but the procedure for lodging complaints is becoming simpler and more transparent.
Context and reactions to the reforms
The reforms were adopted following approval by the European Parliament and form part of the EU’s wider policy on consumer protection in transport. Official statements from the Council of the EU emphasise that the new rules are aimed at improving transparency and protecting passengers.
The changes could affect the business models of low-cost airlines, which often charge extra for seat selection and hand luggage. It is expected that simplifying complaints procedures will improve consumer protection, but may increase the administrative burden on airlines.
What remains unknown
It has not yet been clarified exactly what monitoring mechanisms and penalties for breaches of the new rules will be applied. It is also unclear whether airlines plan to increase their base fares in response to the new requirements.
How the situation develops from here will depend on how airlines adapt to the new standards and whether they can remain competitive without passing on the additional costs to passengers.
