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Summer, the busiest period for airports is here. You might have already had your flight delayed or cancelled and experienced airlines’ confusing websites when seeking reimbursement or compensation, only to receive a rejection from the airline without a clear explanation.
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But all this will change from mid-2027.
On 7 July, the Parliament endorsed the update to EU Regulation 261/2004 on air passenger rights, with the Council approving it a few days later on 13 July. This follows nearly a month after lawmakers reached a deal to enhance protections for air passengers, concluding thirteen years of negotiations.
MEPs defended the right to compensation of between €250 and €600 for flights delayed by more than three hours, depending on the distance. Reimbursement or re-routing for cancelled flights also remains unchanged.
Passengers can now correct name-spelling mistakes at no extra cost and receive a digital boarding pass at check-in without needing a specific app. Children under 14 and passengers with disabilities can sit next to their accompanying person for free.
Airlines must provide clear instructions on compensation procedures and send passengers an electronic EU-wide standardised compensation form (or their own form) to fill out. They can cancel flights only in the event of “extraordinary circumstances” but must clarify the cause of the disruption. The cost of carry-on luggage must be included in the base fare, and inbound flights cannot be cancelled in case of an outbound no-show flight.
Will the new rules make it easier to get your money back when your flight is cancelled or delayed? Are the new rules fair towards airlines? Our poll is anonymous and takes only a few seconds to complete. The results will be featured across EU-wide XL coverage – in videos, articles and newsletters – and will help shape our reporting as we examine how Europe can secure its position in the age of artificial intelligence.