The Council of the European Union formally approved a package of reforms on Monday granting air passengers new protections, completing the legislative process for the first major update to the bloc's travel rights in 22 years. The European Parliament had overwhelmingly backed the measures last week.
Under the new rules, children under 14, pregnant travellers and passengers with reduced mobility will be seated next to companions at no extra cost. Airlines must correct ticket name errors free of charge, provide printed boarding passes without fees, and display fares that include cabin baggage by default. Passengers missing an outbound leg may still take their return flight, and those downgraded will receive automatic refunds.
The reforms preserve existing delay compensation of €250 to €600 for cancellations or delays exceeding three hours. Carriers will have 30 days to pay claims or justify refusals, with passengers given nine months to file. The rules take effect in mid-2027, applying to all departures from EU airports and arrivals operated by EU-based airlines.