The European Council and the European Parliament have reached an agreement on updated air passenger rights rules, confirming that travellers will continue to receive free cabin luggage and financial compensation for significant flight delays.
The deal follows more than a decade of negotiations over how far passenger protections should extend and how airlines should be regulated across the European Union.
Compensation for delays over three hours
Under the revised framework, passengers will remain entitled to compensation ranging between €250 and €600 for cancelled flights or delays exceeding three hours.
For long-haul flights of over 3,500 kilometres, compensation will be set at €300 for delays beyond three hours, rising to €600 if delays exceed four hours or if flights are cancelled.
EU officials said the agreement provides long-awaited clarity for airlines and passengers, ensuring “predictability” after years of legal uncertainty.
Free cabin luggage becomes standard
A key change under the new rules is the formal inclusion of free cabin baggage in ticket prices.
Passengers will be entitled to carry one personal item (40cm x 30cm x 15cm) and one small wheeled bag of up to 7kg and a maximum total dimension of 100cm, without additional charges.
This measure is expected to affect low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and EasyJet, which currently charge separately for carry-on luggage.
Airlines have warned that incorporating baggage into base fares could lead to higher ticket prices overall, although passengers who travel without luggage may benefit from reduced fares.
Airlines warn of higher fares
The aviation industry has argued that stricter compensation and baggage rules will increase operational costs and inevitably push up ticket prices.
Airlines claim that disruption factors such as air traffic congestion and airport issues are often beyond their control, making strict compensation thresholds challenging to manage.
However, consumer groups have welcomed the reform, saying baggage fees and weak compensation rules have long disadvantaged passengers.
EU finalises decade-long reform
The updated regulation concludes a legislative process that began in 2013, reflecting major changes in the aviation market, particularly the rise of low-cost carriers and increased passenger volumes across Europe.
Lawmakers said the previous framework no longer reflected modern travel realities, as airlines have significantly expanded while unbundling services that were once included in standard fares.
The new rules are expected to come into force in 2027 after final procedural approval.
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