Air passenger rights

How the EU protects air passengers

Air passengers in the EU are protected by a range of measures which aim to defend their rights in the event of delays, cancellations or other events which impact their travel plans.

Rules to safeguard air passengers have been in place since 2004.

What EU rules cover

EU rules for air passenger rights set measures to compensate travellers in the event of disruption to their trip. The measures cover the most frequent causes of disruption.

Cancellation

Lost luggage

Delayed departure

Damaged luggage

Late arrival

Injury during the journey

Right to compensation in the event of cancellation or delay

Passengers can be compensated in the event of delay or cancellation. If a flight is more than three hours late or cancelled less than 14 days before departure, a passenger could be entitled to compensation of:

• €250 for all flights of 1 500 km or less
• €400 for all intra-EU flights or flights between 1 500 km and 3 500 km
• €600 for all other flights

Who is covered by the rules?

Passengers don't have to be EU citizens to be protected by the rules. EU air passenger rights apply to all passengers:

• flying within the EU
• departing from the EU to a non-EU country
• arriving in the EU from a non-EU country on an EU airline

Clearer and stronger rules for air passengers

The updated air passenger rules approved in July 2026 set up an even stronger protection system for air travel, giving travellers access to multiple compensatory measures.

The update of the legislation focused on two elements:

• clarifying existing passenger rights
• new rights

• Council gives final clearance for stronger air passenger rights (press release, 13 July 2026)

Strengthened and clarified rights

Several pre-existing passenger rights have been strengthened and clarified in the updated rules, including:

• the right to be rerouted
• the right to assistance
• the right to information and improved communication with airlines

The right to be rerouted 

Airlines must offer passengers the possibility to be rerouted at the earliest opportunity, including to an alternative airport, on flights operated by other carriers or using alternative transport modes, where suitable.

Additionally, if an airline fails to provide an appropriate rerouting option within three hours of a disruption, passengers may arrange to be rerouted themselves and request reimbursement of up to four times the original ticket cost.

The airline must reroute passengers at its own expense and under comparable transport conditions. Passengers should, for example, not be forced to take multiple connecting flights if they booked a direct flight.

The right to assistance 

The right to assistance (refreshments, food, accommodation) is now clearer. Air passengers are entitled to:

• refreshments every two hours of waiting time
• a meal after three hours, and every five hours thereafter (up to three meals per day)
• internet access and two phone calls

If an airline fails to provide that assistance, passengers may make their own arrangements and be reimbursed afterwards. Airlines must reimburse necessary, reasonable and proportionate expenses within 14 calendar days of receiving the request.  

The right to information and better price transparency  

Air passengers will be better informed about their rights. Where an airline expects a flight to be delayed, passengers must be informed immediately when possible, and at the latest by the scheduled departure time indicated on the ticket. Airlines must offer passengers at least one free and efficient way to communicate with the airline.

New rights

The agreement also introduces several new rights, including:

• high standards of service for persons with specific needs
• a ban on denying boarding on return flights because a passenger didn’t take an outbound flight ('no-show')
• the obligation to display air fares including hand baggage

Safeguards for persons with specific needs

In the revised rules, particular attention is paid to persons with specific needs, such as persons with disabilities or reduced mobility, unaccompanied minors and pregnant passengers.  

The provisions related to persons with specific needs include:

• new compensation rights where airports do not provide sufficient assistance
• priority rights in the event of assistance and rerouting
• the right to travel with mobility equipment and assistance dogs without having to pay extra insurance
• the right to get a replacement for mobility equipment at no cost should it get lost or damaged

Families travelling with children, as well as the person accompanying a passenger with specific needs, will also have the right to be seated together for free.

Obligation to display of air fares including hand baggage

To facilitate fare comparisons between airlines, air fares including allowance for a piece of hand baggage must also be displayed by default before the start of any booking process. Should a passenger not want to include a piece of hand baggage, the airline can still offer an air fare that does not include hand baggage.

Passengers are always entitled to bring one personal item with them on the aircraft. A personal item (for example a handbag or a small backpack) should be at most 40cm x 30cm x 15cm in size or should fit under the seat in front of the passenger.