EU261 updated: What the new air passenger rights mean for you
On 15 June 2026, a historic agreement came into force: the EU’s air passenger rights have been revised for the first time in over two decades. After more than a decade of negotiations, there is finally agreement on what you, as an air passenger, are entitled to when your flight is delayed or cancelled. Here, we outline the most important changes – and what they mean in practical terms for your rights.
What is EU261, and who does it apply to?
EU Regulation 261/2004 – also known as EU261 – is the set of rules that sets out your right to compensation and assistance when flights within and from the EU are delayed or cancelled, or when you are denied boarding. The regulation applies to all flights from EU airports, as well as to flights to the EU operated by EU airlines. This means that whether you’re travelling within the EU or from a country outside the EU with a European airline, you’re protected.
You simply need to have a valid ticket and turn up for check-in at the scheduled departure time to be entitled to make a claim.
Compensation amounts remain unchanged – but the rules have been tightened
One of the most important changes is what hasn’t changed: the compensation amounts remain the same. In the event of a delay of 3 hours or more, cancellations or denied boarding, as a passenger you can claim €250 for flights of up to 1,500 km, €400 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km, and €600 for flights over 3,500 km. The compensation therefore depends on the length of the journey – not on the price of the ticket.
The compensation may be halved if the airline offers a rebooking and you arrive close to the original arrival time. If your flight is delayed by less than two hours compared to the scheduled arrival time at your destination, only half the amount will be paid.
You can get an overview from the table below:
Reason | Delayed arrival | Flights under 1.500 km | Flights 1.501 - 3.500 km | Flights over 3.500 km between EU-countries | Flights over 3.500 km to/from EU-countries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cancelled* | 2 – 3 hours | £220 | £170 | £170 | £260 |
Cancelled /Delayed | 3 – 4 hours | £220 | £345 | £345 | £260 |
Cancelled/Delayed | More than 4 hours** | £220 | £345 | £345 | £520 |
Overbooked | £220 | £345 | £345 | £520 |
* If the cancellation occurs less than 7 days before the scheduled departure. ** If the cancellation occurs between 14-7 days before the scheduled departure.
Delayed flights: When are you entitled to compensation?
If your flight is delayed, the following applies: the delay is measured on arrival at your destination – not at the original departure time. The length of the delay determines what you are entitled to:
For delays of more than 2 hours (depending on the length of the journey), the airline must provide free meals and refreshments, as well as the opportunity to send emails or make phone calls. Keep all receipts for necessary and reasonable expenses.
If your flight is delayed by more than 3 hours on arrival at your destination, you are entitled to financial compensation, unless the delay is due to extraordinary circumstances.
If your flight is delayed by more than 5 hours, you can choose to cancel your journey entirely and receive a full refund of the ticket price – this applies to all flights departing from an EU airport or operated by an EU airline.
Cancelled flights: Your rights
If your flight is cancelled, you are generally entitled to either a refund of your ticket or to rebook your journey for a later date or the next available flight to your destination. You are also entitled to meals whilst you wait.
The cancellation must be notified at least 14 days before the scheduled departure for the airline to avoid having to pay compensation. If you are notified at shorter notice, you are typically entitled to compensation – unless the cancellation is due to extraordinary circumstances.
Denied boarding and overbooked flights
Airlines may overbook flights to maximise the number of passengers on available seats. If you are denied boarding against your will on an overbooked flight, you are entitled to compensation equivalent to the amounts applicable to delayed or cancelled flights. The airline must also offer rebooking or a refund.
To be entitled to compensation, you must present yourself at check-in for the scheduled departure with a valid ticket. If the airline denies you boarding against your will, you are protected by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.
Extraordinary circumstances – now with clearer rules
One of the areas that has caused the most confusion and disputes in practice is the concept of extraordinary circumstances. The new rules introduce a clear, non-exhaustive list of what constitutes extraordinary circumstances – so that passengers, airlines and authorities can more easily assess whether the airline is exempt from paying compensation.
Examples of what may be recognised as an extraordinary circumstance include: extreme weather conditions, political unrest, security reasons such as terrorist threats, or external strikes by, for example, air traffic controllers or security staff.
What, on the other hand, does not constitute an extraordinary circumstance: technical problems with the aircraft, an internal strike at the airline, or a bird strike. If the airline claims that the cancellation is due to extraordinary circumstances, it must be able to prove this.
If a previous flight was affected by extraordinary circumstances, the airline may now also use this as a justification for disruptions to subsequent flights – for example, if a morning flight is cancelled and causes a knock-on effect.
The right to rebook yourself if the airline fails to deliver
A brand-new right under the revised regulation is the right to rebook your journey yourself. If the airline does not offer alternative transport within three hours of a cancellation or a long delay, you can book an alternative flight yourself and claim a refund – up to a maximum of 400 per cent of the original ticket price, and the amount must be paid within 14 calendar days.
The airline must inform you within 96 hours
If your flight is delayed or cancelled, the airline must now proactively inform you of your rights and the procedure for claiming compensation within 96 hours of the disruption. This is a significant improvement: previously, passengers had to seek out the information themselves, which the airlines did not always make easy to find.
Important change that works against passengers: Shorter time limit
Not everything in the revision is an improvement for passengers. The deadline for submitting a claim for compensation is being drastically reduced: in future, you will have only nine months to make a claim – compared with at least three years under Danish law previously. This means you should act quickly if your delayed flight entitles you to compensation. Don’t wait until next year; sort it out as soon as possible.
Other improvements worth noting
In addition to the changes mentioned, the revision brings a number of other improvements that strengthen your rights as an air passenger:
Families can sit together free of charge
Children under the age of 14 will now be entitled to sit next to an adult companion at no extra charge.
No app requirements
Airlines are no longer allowed to force passengers to download an app to access their boarding pass. You must always be able to receive your boarding pass by other means.
No-show ban on return flights
Airlines are no longer allowed to cancel your return flight if you missed your outbound flight.
Better conditions for passengers with reduced mobility
Passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility will receive improved assistance in the event of disruptions and will be fully compensated for damage to or loss of essential mobility equipment.
When do the new rules come into force?
Although the agreement has been reached, the European Parliament and the Council still need to formally approve it – although this is regarded as a mere formality. Airlines will then have 12 months to implement the new rules. Passengers can expect the new rules to come into effect from summer 2027 at the earliest. Until then, the existing rules will continue to apply.
Refundmore helps you claim your compensation
Knowing your rights is one thing – getting the airline to actually pay is another. In Refundmore’s experience, most airlines make it difficult for private individuals to claim compensation. More often than you'd think, you either receive no reply, or your claim is rejected on the wrong grounds.
Refundmore is a company with over 51 specialists who work exclusively on air passenger rights. We have helped more than 410,000 air passengers and take cases all the way to court if necessary – including Supreme Court cases in both Denmark and Sweden. Our experts know Regulation (EC) No 261 inside out and know exactly when you are entitled to compensation and when an airline’s refusal does not hold water.
You can read more about your specific rights here:
Our service is free of charge to you if we do not win your case – no win, no fee. It takes less than three minutes to start a claim, and Refundmore will then handle all communication with the airline, whilst keeping you informed throughout the process.
If you know your rights, you’ll be in a much better position if your flight is delayed or cancelled. Keep your boarding passes, all receipts and emails from the airline – and act quickly so your claims don’t lapse.
