Europe Cuts Flight Compensation Amounts While Extending Delay Thresholds

European passengers will face longer waits and reduced payouts for flight delays under new rules that weaken consumer protections after a 12-year regulatory battle.

EU transport ministers reached a political agreement “on the revision of air passenger rights and on airline liability” that extends waiting periods before passengers can claim compensation while reducing maximum payouts for long-haul delays. The agreement represents a significant rollback of consumer protections that previously provided faster relief and higher compensation for disrupted travel.

Under the new framework, passengers on short-haul and intra-European flights under 3,500 kilometers must wait four hours before becoming eligible for compensation, up from the previous three-hour threshold. While these passengers will receive €300 in compensation compared to the previous €250, the extended waiting period means travelers face additional delays before receiving relief.

The changes prove more costly for long-haul passengers, who will see compensation reduced by €100. Passengers on flights over 3,500 kilometers will receive €500 if delayed six hours or more, down from €600 for delays of three hours or more under current rules.

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Political Opposition Emerges

The proposed framework has faced criticism from politicians who view the changes as weakening passenger protections. The Lithuanian government opposed the EU proposal, with Transport Minister Eugenijus Sabutis voicing this position at the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council meeting in Luxembourg on June 6, 2025. The government believes these changes would weaken passenger rights.

The agreement moves to the European Parliament for a second reading, where lawmakers will have the opportunity to approve, amend, or reject the proposal.

Airlines Sought Even Greater Reductions

Airlines for Europe (A4E), representing major European carriers including Lufthansa, Ryanair, and Air France-KLM, expressed disappointment that the changes didn’t go far enough in their favor. A4E Managing Director Ourania Georgoutsakou said that “member states have fallen at the final hurdle to deliver.”

The airline association criticized the outcome because it preferred higher delay thresholds of five hours for short-haul flights and nine hours for long-haul flights. A4E argued these higher thresholds could have saved up to 70% of recoverable canceled flights. The European Commission initially proposed these more airline-friendly thresholds, but politicians rejected the plan that would have further weakened passenger protections.

New Rights and Automated Processing

Despite the compensation reductions, the agreement introduces some passenger-friendly changes. Airlines will be required to automatically process compensation and refunds for cancellations without requiring separate passenger requests.

The framework also strengthens rerouting rights, requiring airlines to offer passengers alternative travel options at the earliest possible time, including flights on other carriers or alternative transportation modes. If rerouting isn’t offered within three hours of a delay or cancellation, passengers can arrange their own travel and claim refunds up to 400% of the original ticket price.

Polish Infrastructure Minister Dariusz Klimczak defended the agreement, stating: “The position finally adopted today answers to an urgent call by air passengers and airlines for up-to-date, clearer and more straightforward rules. The revised rules will bring over 30 new rights to the air passengers, applicable from the moment when they buy a ticket, until they arrive at their destination, and in some cases even beyond. It is a historical milestone as an agreement couldn’t have been reached in the last 12 years.”

The agreement also explicitly defines passengers’ rights to assistance including refreshments, meals, and accommodation. If airlines fail to provide this support, passengers can make their own arrangements and request reimbursement. During tarmac delays, passengers must be allowed to leave aircraft after three hours.