The European Parliament gives the green light to the reform of air travellers’ rights: compensation confirmed for more than three hours of delay, simpler reimbursement procedures, a stop to no-shows and protection for families, pregnant women and people with disabilities. The rules will come into force after the final green light from the EU Council and a year of transition
Easier compensation for flights that are more than 3 hours late, automatic refunds, hand luggage included in the ticket price and greater protection for families and vulnerable passengers. After thirteen years of negotiations, the European Parliament has approved the reform that will change the rules that protect air passengers, updating the regulation in force since 2004. It will not be an immediate revolution, in short, don’t count on it this summer, we still have to wait for the definitive green light from the European Council (expected by the beginning of August) and the one-year transitional period, before the new rules become operational throughout Europe.
Compensation for flight delays and cancellations: what will remain unchanged
First of all, there will be no reduction in the right to compensation as had been hypothesized during the negotiation phase. The right to financial compensation will remain in the event of a delay of more than three hours on arrival, cancellation communicated less than fourteen days in advance or denied boarding. The amounts will not change either: 250 euros for routes up to 1,500 kilometres; 400 euros for intra-Union flights exceeding 1,500 kilometers and for other routes between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometres, and 600 euros for longer distance journeys. The obligation of assistance for those remaining on the ground will also remain confirmed: refreshment for every two hours of waiting, a meal after three hours and, in case of prolonged delays, accommodation for the night (up to a maximum of three nights if the cause is beyond the carrier’s control). Compensation will not be due when the disservice depends on exceptional circumstances such as natural disasters, wars, adverse weather conditions, political instability, unruly passengers or strikes involving parties external to the company. But it will be the company that will have to demonstrate the direct connection between the exceptional event and the disservice.
Easier refunds and certain deadlines for requests of airline passengers
Then there is the reimbursement chapter, which will be simplified. Anyone who chooses a refund instead of re-protection will receive it automatically, without having to request it. Airlines will have to provide clear instructions on how to submit your compensation claim within four days of the end of your trip, with no requirement to create an account or download a dedicated app. Passengers will have 9 months to submit the compensation request and airlines will have 30 days to pay the amount due or to justify the refusal in writing. And for lost luggage there will be a common form.
Hand luggage included and more transparent rates
And the much “problematic” hand luggage? One will come uniform definition of “personal effects”: an unchecked baggage with a maximum size of 40 × 30 × 15 centimeters, or in any case suitable to be placed under the front seat. This baggage must be able to be transported free of charge in the cabin on all European flights. And when you book the fare must include hand luggage, so no surprises at the end of the purchase. However, it will remain possible to continue to offer discounted fares for those who voluntarily choose to travel without larger hand luggage. There will then be other important news. Stop the practice of “no-show”: companies will no longer be able to deny boarding on the return flight, or apply supplements, just because the passenger has not used the outward journey. Then it will arrive free typo correction in name, if requested at least 48 hours before departure and without change of date or itinerary, and the free digital boarding pass at check-in, without requiring an app or account, and no boarding refusal for those who use a printed version of the digital document.
More protections for families, disabilities and reduced mobility on flights and at airports
The companies will have to guarantee, at no extra charge, a seat next to the child under 14 for the person accompanying him. The same protection will apply to passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility and pregnant women, who will no longer be able to be separated from their companions when assigning seats. Another new feature will concern those who miss a flight due to the airport’s inability to guarantee the assistance necessary to reach the gate in time: in these cases compensation, re-routing and assistance will be triggered by the company, exactly as in the case of a disservice attributable to the carrier.
