New Rules to Protect Air Travelers
Published January 21, 2026
Goal: Protect passenger rights
The EU’s 2024‑2029 air passenger rights rules give travelers bigger cash payouts for delays, cancellations or denied boarding, free meals and lodging when flights are late, clearer baggage limits, help for kids and disabled people, and easier ways to file complaints, all to make flying fairer and safer.
Air Passenger Rights – 2024‑2029 (EU)
The European Parliament has adopted a new set of rules that strengthen the rights of air passengers. The main changes are:
| Area | What the rules say | Key numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Compensation for delays, cancellations or denied boarding | Passengers get a fixed amount if the flight arrives more than 3 h late, or if the flight is cancelled or the passenger is denied boarding. | • 300 € for journeys ≤ 1 500 km• 400 € for journeys 1 500–3 500 km• 600 € for journeys > 3 500 km• Amounts are automatically adjusted for inflation every 3 years |
| Compensation for long delays after rerouting or missed connections | If the total time lost (before departure + arrival delay) is ≥ 3 h, the same compensation applies. | – |
| Extraordinary circumstances | The list of events that can excuse an airline from paying compensation is expanded and clarified. | – |
| Assistance when a flight is delayed or cancelled | Airlines must give free meals, drinks, accommodation (up to 3 nights) and transport to the next flight. Vouchers can be used for food and drinks at the airport. | – |
| Tarmac delays | If a plane is stuck on the tarmac for more than 3 h, passengers may leave the aircraft. | – |
| Baggage | • Airlines must clearly state the weight and size limits for carry‑on and checked baggage at booking and at the airport.• A “personal item” (e.g., small bag, laptop) is free and must fit under the seat.• Hand baggage is free if it fits the 100 cm (sum of length, width, height) limit and weighs ≤ 7 kg.• Lost, damaged or delayed baggage must be compensated. | – |
| Musical instruments | Musicians may bring instruments on board as carry‑on, provided they fit safely in the cabin or a suitable compartment. | – |
| Disabled passengers, unaccompanied children, infants | • Free assistance and priority boarding.• Special assistance for mobility equipment and pets.• No extra charge for a second seat if a child or a musical instrument is carried. | – |
| Ticket changes and name changes | Passengers can change the name on a ticket free of charge within 48 h of booking. | – |
| Right to transfer a ticket after death | A ticket can be transferred to a close family member at no extra cost if the passenger dies. | – |
| Information and communication | Airlines must inform passengers of their rights in a clear, accessible way (paper, electronic, QR codes). Contact points must be available at the airport. | – |
| Complaint handling | • Passengers have 6 months to file a complaint.• Airlines must reply within 30 days (or 7 working days for certain cases).• If the complaint is not resolved, the passenger can go to a national enforcement body. | – |
| Enforcement | Each Member State must designate an independent enforcement body that monitors compliance, can impose sanctions, and publishes annual reports. | – |
| Outer‑most regions | Compensation for flights to or from outer‑most regions is calculated on the actual distance of the journey. | – |
| Airport contingency plans | Airports with > 5 million passengers per year must have a plan to coordinate with airlines and ground‑handling services during multiple disruptions. | – |
| Other | • Airlines must provide a pre‑filled claim form for lost/damaged baggage.• Airlines must keep passengers informed of extraordinary circumstances within 48 h.• The Commission may adopt delegated acts to update the list of extraordinary circumstances. | – |
These rules apply to all flights that start or finish in the EU, to flights that are part of a journey within the EU, and to flights that are part of a package travel arrangement. The aim is to give passengers clear, consistent protection while keeping airlines’ economic incentives aligned with punctuality and safety.
Licensing: The summaries on this page are available under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0).
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