Major changes affecting millions of airline passengers are being introduced under a new European Union regulation that updates the framework governing air passenger rights since 2004.
The new rules cover a wide range of issues, from compensation for delays and cancellations to cabin baggage, re-routing, family seating arrangements and improved passenger information.
Regulation (EU) 2026/2202 was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 2 October 2026 and formally enters into force on 22 October 2026. However, the new provisions will only begin applying from 23 October 2027, meaning passengers cannot yet rely on all of the new rights.
In practice, the reforms can be grouped into six main areas.
1. Three-hour threshold for compensation remains
One of the most important issues during the lengthy negotiations concerned the delay threshold after which a passenger becomes entitled to compensation.
Passengers remain entitled to compensation if they arrive at their final destination more than three hours late.
Provided the conditions of the regulation are met and no extraordinary circumstances apply, passengers may claim:
- €250 for flights up to 1,500km;
- €400 for intra-EU flights or other flights between 1,500km and 3,500km;
- €600 for all other flights.
Compensation rights may also arise when a flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure, depending on when passengers were informed and what alternative flight was offered.
The regulation also seeks to provide clearer definitions of what constitutes an "extraordinary circumstance", meaning situations in which airlines may not be obliged to pay compensation.
The regulation includes a non-exhaustive list of such circumstances, including natural disasters and weather conditions that make a flight unsafe.
2. Easier process for obtaining compensation
One of the most significant practical changes concerns the way passengers are informed about and claim compensation.
When a delay may give rise to a compensation claim, airlines must inform passengers electronically within 96 hours of arrival, explaining their rights and the process for submitting a claim.
Once a claim is filed, the airline must immediately acknowledge receipt and provide a response within 30 days, either:
- paying the applicable compensation; or
- clearly explaining why the claim is being rejected.
The change is significant because many passengers previously had to determine for themselves whether they were entitled to compensation and what procedure to follow.
3. What changes for personal items and cabin baggage
The new rules also address baggage carried in the aircraft cabin.
Every passenger will be entitled to carry one personal item free of charge, such as a small backpack, handbag or laptop bag.
The item must either:
- have maximum dimensions of 40cm x 30cm x 15cm; or
- fit underneath the seat in front.
Passengers should note one important distinction.
The final regulation does not make standard trolley-style cabin baggage automatically free on all fares.
Instead, airlines, booking platforms and intermediaries must display from the beginning of the booking process the fare that includes cabin baggage, allowing passengers to compare the true cost of tickets.
Airlines may continue to offer cheaper fares to passengers who choose to travel without larger cabin baggage.
This is significant because, during negotiations, there had been proposals to guarantee one additional free carry-on bag of up to seven kilograms, but this was not included in the final regulation.
4. No more losing a return flight because of a no-show
New protections are also being introduced for passengers who purchase return tickets but fail to use the outbound flight.
Previously, depending on airline terms and conditions, passengers could lose the remainder of their itinerary if they were recorded as a "no-show" on the first leg.
Under the new rules, a passenger who does not use the outbound flight cannot be denied the return flight solely for that reason.
5. Families seated together without additional charges
Changes are also coming to seat allocation.
Families travelling with children will have the right to sit together without being required to pay additional seat-selection fees.
The final agreement includes specific protections for children under the age of 14, ensuring they can sit beside their accompanying adult at no extra cost.
The regulation also significantly strengthens protections for:
- passengers with disabilities;
- passengers with reduced mobility;
- pregnant women;
- and unaccompanied minors.
Among other measures, certain groups will receive priority assistance and re-routing, while passengers with reduced mobility will receive enhanced protections regarding mobility equipment and assistance dogs.
6. Alternative travel arrangements, even with another carrier
Some of the most significant reforms concern cancellations and denied boarding.
When passengers choose to continue their journey at the earliest opportunity, airlines must offer suitable alternative transport within three hours.
The solution does not have to be limited to another flight operated by the same airline.
Where appropriate, the airline may use:
- another carrier;
- a different airport;
- an alternative route;
- or even another form of transport altogether.
The cost must be borne by the original airline and the alternative journey must be provided under comparable conditions.
For example, passengers who originally booked a direct flight should not be forced onto a complex itinerary involving multiple connections when a suitable alternative exists.
If the airline fails to provide appropriate re-routing within three hours, passengers may make their own arrangements and seek reimbursement of costs up to 400% of the original ticket price.
Meals, accommodation and communication during long delays
Beyond the six headline changes, the regulation further clarifies airlines' duty of care during lengthy delays.
The new provisions provide:
- refreshments every two hours of waiting time;
- a meal after three hours, and then every five hours thereafter;
- up to three meals per day;
- internet access;
- and two telephone calls.
Where an overnight stay becomes necessary, the airline must provide:
- hotel accommodation free of charge; and
- transport between the airport and the hotel.
If the carrier fails to do so, passengers may incur reasonable expenses themselves and later seek reimbursement.
Additional practical changes
The regulation also introduces several smaller but practical improvements.
Among them:
- airlines will not be allowed to charge extra simply to correct a spelling mistake in a passenger's name;
- passengers cannot be charged for printing a boarding pass if they have already checked in;
- digital boarding passes must be available without passengers being required to create an account or install a specific application.
