EU reaches agreement on air passenger rights and baggage rules

The European Parliament and the Council of the EU have finalized a deal to update air passenger rights after 13 years of negotiations. The agreement maintains existing compensation thresholds, entitling passengers to payments between €250 and €600 for cancellations or delays exceeding three hours. For flights over 3,500 kilometres, compensation is set at €300 for delays beyond three hours and €600 if the delay surpasses four hours. New regulations mandate that standard ticket prices must include one free personal item (40x30x15cm) and one small wheeled carry-on bag weighing up to 7kg, effective from 2027. The rules also guarantee free adjacent seating for children and passengers with reduced mobility. While the European Parliament pushed for these protections, airlines expressed concern that mandatory baggage inclusion could influence future fare pricing. This legislative outcome concludes a decade-long dispute involving the European Commission, member states, and consumer advocacy groups.