On 1 July 2026, the European Parliament approved the joint text of a regulation updating EU air passenger rights, finalising a legislative process that began with trilogues in March 2026. The compromise, reached on 11 June 2026 and endorsed by the Parliament delegation on 15 June 2026 (27-0-0), maintains the existing 3-hour delay threshold and compensation amounts (€250, €400, €600) while codifying a non-exhaustive list of extraordinary circumstances based on CJEU case law. The regulation applies to all passengers flying with Union carriers or departing from the Union, with a review clause on extending to non-Union carriers arriving in the Union.
children under 14 must be seated next to parents free of charge; strollers are allowed to the aircraft door; compensation is provided for disabled or reduced mobility passengers if requested assistance fails; no fees for printed boarding passes or name corrections made 48 hours before flight; a partial ban on 'no show' policies; voluntary vouchers with a refund option after expiry; the right to bring musical instruments; and free transfer if diverted to a different airport, plus compensation if the delay exceeds 3 hours. Airlines must also digitally inform passengers of their compensation rights, and hand baggage must be included in the default price display.
The approval follows four trilogues on 23 March, 20 April, 19 May, and 2 June 2026, and two Conciliation Committee meetings on 20 April and 2 June 2026. The rapporteur was Andrey Novakov (TRAN committee), with Roberta Metsola as Delegation Chair. The regulation now awaits formal adoption by the Council before entering into force.
The update balances consumer protection with airline operational realities. For passengers, the new rules enhance transparency and protections for families, disabled travellers, and those affected by flight disruptions. Airlines face additional compliance costs for digital information systems and seat allocation, but the retention of existing delay thresholds and compensation levels avoids a significant increase in liability. The partial ban on 'no show' policies may reduce revenue from unused tickets, while the voluntary voucher system offers flexibility. The scope limitation to Union carriers and outbound flights leaves non-Union carriers inbound to the Union unaffected, a point the review clause may revisit.