EU Agrees to Delay Compensation Shake-Up for Travellers

New Rules Increase Wait Time for Compensation

EU countries have agreed to increase how long passengers must wait before claiming flight delay compensation. Under the new rules, short-haul passengers must wait four hours instead of three to qualify.

For long-haul flights, compensation only applies after six hours or more of delay. These changes revise EU Regulation 261 for the first time since 2004.

Short-Haul Payouts Rise, Long-Haul Drop

The compensation for short-haul delays will rise from €250 to €300. However, long-haul payouts drop from €600 to €500 under the new agreement.

Airlines had pushed for even longer thresholds—five hours for short-haul and nine for long-haul. The European Commission had originally supported that proposal, but member states scaled it back.

Critics Say Passengers Lose Out

Consumer group BEUC says most delays fall between two and four hours, meaning fewer people will qualify. They argue the change strips away compensation rights for the majority of delayed travellers. Which may confuse UK travellers flying in Europe. UK rules still allow claims for delays over three hours when flying with UK-based airlines.

New Rights Aim to Strengthen Protections

Passengers will gain the right to rerouting if delays exceed three hours with no solution offered. They can book their own alternative travel and claim refunds up to 400% of their original fare.

The revised rules also clarify rights to food, drink, and accommodation during long delays. The airlines must now inform passengers of their rights clearly and handle claims more transparently.

Airlines Unhappy with Final Outcome

(A4E)  Airlines for Europe say the final agreement adds complexity and misses the chance for real reform.

Managing director Ourania Georgoutsakou said: “Member states fell at the final hurdle.” She criticised the removal of original proposals that could have reduced cancellations by 70%.

Despite lobbying, the agreed delays were shorter than the five- and nine-hour thresholds airlines had hoped for.

Parliament Still Needs to Approve Changes

The new rules must still pass through the European Parliament before becoming law. If approved, they will create the most significant update to EU air passenger rights in over a decade.

Negotiators say the revised regulation strikes a balance between passenger protection and airline sustainability. More than 30 new rights will be added, including stronger protections for passengers with reduced mobility.