Council of the European Union Approves Air Passenger Rights Reforms

The Council of the European Union formally approved a package of reforms on July 13, 2026, to expand and clarify air passenger rights. The new regulations, which were previously backed by the European Parliament, apply to all departures from EU airports and arrivals operated by EU-based airlines. The rules are scheduled to enter into force in the second half of 2027.

The reforms introduce several consumer protections, including the guarantee that children under 14, pregnant individuals, and people with reduced mobility may sit next to companions without paying reservation fees. Airlines must now provide free printed boarding passes and correct name misspellings without charge. To simplify price comparisons, airlines are required to display fares that include cabin baggage by default.

Additional changes eliminate penalties for passengers who miss the outbound leg of a return trip and mandate automatic refunds for those downgraded to a lower class. While compensation thresholds for delays exceeding three hours remain largely unchanged, the new law streamlines the claims process by granting passengers nine months to file and requiring airlines to respond within 30 days. The rules also clarify the definition of extraordinary circumstances and specify requirements for passenger care, such as providing meals and hotel accommodations during disruptions.