Sonali Tiwary
The European Union has agreed on major changes to air passenger rights, extending the time travelers must wait before claiming compensation for delays and allowing airlines to charge for cabin baggage. These changes, agreed upon in June 2025 by EU transport ministers, mark the first update to air travel regulations since 2004.
Flight Delay Compensation Changes
Under current rules, passengers can claim compensation if their flight is delayed by more than three hours. The new rules will increase this waiting period significantly:
- For flights under 3,500 km (short and medium-haul): Passengers must now wait four hours before being eligible for compensation, up from three hours
- For flights over 3,500 km (long-haul): The delay threshold increases from four to six hours
The compensation amounts are also changing. Short-haul flight compensation will increase from €250 to €300, while long-haul flight compensation will decrease from €600 to €500.
Consumer groups have criticized these changes, arguing they will leave most passengers without compensation rights since many delays fall between two and four hours.
New Cabin Baggage Rules
The other major change allows airlines to charge passengers for cabin baggage. Under the new rules:
- Passengers are guaranteed one free small personal item that fits under the seat (like a handbag or laptop bag)
- Airlines can legally charge for any additional cabin baggage, including standard carry-on suitcases placed in overhead bins
This change was approved despite opposition from Germany, Spain, Portugal, and Slovenia. Consumer organizations have strongly criticized this decision, arguing it contradicts previous EU court rulings that considered hand luggage an essential part of air travel.
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Better Rerouting Rights
The new rules do strengthen some passenger protections:
- Airlines must reroute passengers “at the earliest opportunity” during significant delays or cancellations
- This includes using other carriers or alternative transport methods
- If an airline fails to offer rerouting within three hours, passengers can arrange their own travel and claim back up to 400% of the original ticket price
Airlines must also provide clearer information about passenger rights and respond to claims within 14 days.
Next Steps
While EU transport ministers have agreed on these changes, they still need approval from the European Parliament before becoming law. A final agreement could be reached later in 2025.
Dariusz Klimczak, Poland’s Minister of Infrastructure, called the agreement “a historical milestone” that will bring “over 30 new rights to air passengers.”
However, Agustín Reyna, Director General of the European Consumer Organisation, countered that the changes represent “a substantial rollback of key rights” for travelers.
The new rules could affect UK travelers too, as they apply to flights operated by EU-based airlines to or from EU countries.
