EU finally lands air passenger rights deal 

After more than a decade of deadlock, EU lawmakers have finally reached a political agreement to update air passenger rights, concluding one of the longest-running legislative files in European transport policy. 

The deal, reached between the European Parliament and the Council, establishes new common rules on compensation, baggage, passenger assistance and complaint handling, affecting millions of travellers across the bloc. 

It was concluded through the conciliation procedure, a mechanism reserved for the EU’s most difficult legislative files, with only about 9% of EU legislation requiring it since 1999.

The compromise closes a legislative chapter that had remained unsolved since the European Commission first proposed a revision of the existing rules in 2013. 

Changes under the new rules 

A central element of the compromise is the preservation of one of the most contentious provisions in the negotiations. Passengers will remain entitled to compensation for flight delays exceeding three hours, despite repeated efforts by several member states to raise the threshold to four, five or even six hours depending on flight distance.

The agreement also introduces a series of measures aimed at simplifying the compensation process. Airlines will be required to provide passengers with direct access to compensation claims through pre-filled forms, reducing the administrative burden that has often discouraged travellers from exercising this right. 

Carriers will additionally face stricter deadlines for responding to claims and processing reimbursements.

The agreement also seeks to increase transparency around air travel costs by strengthening information requirements and clarifying what is included in the ticket price. Cabin baggage emerged as one of the most divisive issues in the negotiations. 

Several Member States favoured maintaining airlines’ ability to charge for larger carry-on bags stored in overhead compartments, while guaranteeing only a free personal item that fits under the seat. 

Parliament negotiators, by contrast, argued that reasonable cabin baggage should be covered by the basic fare and called for stricter limits on ancillary charges. The compromise ultimately preserves the right to carry a personal item free of charge and establishes clearer rules on baggage fees, striking a balance between consumer protection and airlines’ commercial and operational interests.

The deal further strengthens protections for passengers with disabilities and reduced mobility, while ensuring that families travelling with children can be seated together without facing additional charges. 

Ending a 13-year stalemate 

The agreement represents a significant victory for the European Parliament. Earlier this year, MEPs backed a negotiating mandate preserving the current three-hour compensation threshold and calling for stronger consumer safeguards. 

The Parliament’s position was adopted with an overwhelming majority of 632 votes in favour, highlighting rare cross-party consensus on the issue. 

Key voices behind the deal 

For Bulgarian MEP Andrey Novakov, who served as Parliament’s rapporteur on the file, the deal marks a long-awaited legislative success and a major step forward for passenger protection across the EU.

“After 13 years of deadlock, Europe is finally delivering a meaningful update of its air passenger rights rules,” Novakov said in an exclusive statement to The Watcher Post EU. 

“Throughout these negotiations, Parliament remained guided by one simple principle: passenger rights must move forward, never backwards. We preserved the three-hour threshold, protected compensation levels and secured important new rights for families, persons with reduced mobility and all travellers.”

“This agreement proves that Europe does not have to choose between strong passenger rights and a competitive aviation sector – it can achieve both,” he said.

With the political agreement secured, the reform now enters the formal adoption phase, marking a significant milestone for both the European institutions and passengers across the EU.