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The European Parliament and the EU Council have reached a provisional deal to update air passenger rights for the first time since 2004, keeping compensation for flight delays of more than three hours while adding clearer rules on refunds, ticket prices and passenger care.
The agreement, announced by the European Parliament on Monday, still needs final approval from both the Parliament and the Council. A vote is expected during Parliament's July plenary session.
Under the deal, passengers will continue to be eligible for compensation when flights are delayed by over three hours, canceled less than 14 days before departure, or affected by denied boarding, which means being refused entry onto a flight despite having a valid booking.
Compensation will remain at €250, or about $290, for flights of up to 1,500 kilometers (932 miles), €400, or about $464, for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometers, and €600, or about $696, for long-haul journeys.
Airlines may cut compensation by 50% in certain cases if they offer rerouting or if delays remain limited.
Carriers will not have to pay compensation when disruptions are caused by extraordinary circumstances. These include natural disasters, war, severe weather, unruly passengers and problems caused by third-party airport or air traffic services.
However, airlines will still have to look after stranded passengers. The rules require refreshments every two hours, meals after three hours and accommodation for up to three nights where necessary.
The agreement also sets out stricter reimbursement procedures. Airlines will have to inform passengers within four days of a disruption about how to claim compensation, while passengers will have up to nine months to submit claims.
Airlines must respond within 30 days.
The revised rules also require children under 14 to be seated next to accompanying adults at no extra cost. Similar protections will apply to passengers with disabilities and pregnant women.
Airlines will also be barred from charging fees for minor name corrections and printed boarding passes. In addition, airlines and booking platforms will have to show full ticket prices upfront, including carry-on baggage where applicable.
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