Historic reform of air travel in the EU: what will change for passengers from 2027

After more than ten years of intense negotiations, the European Parliament and the EU Council have finally reached a political agreement on a massive reform of air passenger rights. This is the first such serious update of the rules in over 20 years. The innovations will affect practically everyone who flies within the European Union, from ticket prices to seating families with children.

🧳 Hand luggage: end to hidden fees

One of the most significant changes concerns hand luggage. Airlines will now be required to include hand luggage in the base ticket price, rather than showing a reduced fare to which additional charges are later added. This will put an end to the practice actively used by low-cost carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet.

According to the new rules, each passenger will have the right to bring on board for free:

a personal item measuring up to 40×30×15 cm (small bag or backpack); a wheeled suitcase with total dimensions up to 100 cm and weighing up to 7 kg. Passengers who voluntarily give up carrying hand luggage can receive a discount on the ticket price. Airlines will retain the right to charge for larger bags, but only if the free minimum is already included in the fare.

👨‍👩‍👧 Seat next to a child - now free

Parents will no longer have to pay extra to sit next to their children on the plane. The new rules require airlines to provide adjacent seats for children under 14 years old and accompanying adults free of charge. This rule also applies to passengers with reduced mobility and their companions.

💶 Compensation for delays: amounts preserved, procedure simplified

European legislators have maintained the existing compensation system, despite the resistance of some airlines and EU member states, who tried to increase the delay threshold from three to four hours. Passengers will still receive compensation for flight delays of more than 3 hours, cancellations, or denied boarding.

The payout amounts remain unchanged:

Distance Compensation up to 1,500 km 250 euros from 1,500 to 3,500 km 400 euros over 3,500 km (delay 3-4 hours) 300 euros over 3,500 km (delay over 4 hours or cancellation) 600 euros The main innovation is the simplification of the compensation claim process. Airlines are now required to proactively inform passengers about their rights and the complaint procedure within 96 hours after a disruption. Passengers will have 9 months to submit a claim, and carriers will have 30 days to pay or provide a reasoned refusal.

✍️ What else is changing: details that matter

The reform also affects many other aspects:

Correction of name typos - free of charge. Airlines will no longer be able to charge for minor passenger data corrections. Ban on no-show penalties - so-called no-show policies for return flights are abolished. If a passenger does not use a one-way ticket, the airline cannot cancel their return flight. Digital boarding passes - without coercion. Airlines will be prohibited from requiring passengers to download a mobile app to receive a boarding pass. Assistance during delays - carriers must provide refreshments every 2 hours of waiting, meals after 3 hours, and, if necessary, accommodation in a hotel for up to 3 nights.

📅 When will all this take effect?

The agreement still needs to be formally approved at the plenary session of the European Parliament in July 2026 and by the European Council. After publication in the Official Journal of the EU, the new rules will come into effect in the second half of 2027.

⚖️ Reaction: passengers are happy, airlines criticize

EU Commissioner for Transport and Tourism, Adina Valean, called the agreement “an important step forward for European passengers.” European Parliament President Roberta Metsola emphasized that the new rules “will make travel fairer and clearer for both consumers and airlines.”

Airlines, on the other hand, expressed dissatisfaction. Airlines for Europe called the compromise a “bad law” that does not address the real problems of delays and cancellations. Airlines warn that the new requirements will inevitably lead to an increase in base ticket prices, especially for budget carriers.

Thus, travel across Europe will become more transparent and fairer for passengers - but, quite possibly, also more expensive. The main thing is that hidden fees and unexpected charges are now a thing of the past, and travellers’ rights finally receive clear legal protection.