Historic Reform: What's Changed for You as an EU Air Passenger

After 13 years without change, the EU has reached an agreement on new rules for air travel.

Here's what this means for everyone who books a flight.

*See the important clarification on claim deadlines below.

WHAT HAS CHANGED

Six important changes you should know about:

• Cabin baggage included in the ticket price.
  From now on, the fare displayed during booking must include a standard wheeled cabin suitcase—not just a small personal item that fits under the seat. Low-cost airlines will no longer be allowed to hide this fee. If you choose to travel without a cabin suitcase, you may opt out and pay less.
• Children under 14 sit next to their parents free of charge.
  Airlines will no longer be allowed to separate families and then charge extra for adjacent seats. Seating together will be automatic and free of charge.
• Baby strollers allowed up to the aircraft door.
  Parents may use the stroller all the way to the boarding gate, and it must be returned immediately after landing instead of being checked in before departure.
• Compensation for passengers with disabilities.
  If you miss your flight because the airport fails to provide the required assistance, you are entitled to compensation and alternative transportation.
• Airlines must inform you how to claim compensation.
  Within 48 hours of the scheduled arrival time, the airline must send you instructions on how to submit a compensation claim—without requiring you to search for the information yourself.
• Technical problems are no longer an excuse.
  European institutions have explicitly rejected the idea that technical defects should be treated as "extraordinary circumstances." Airlines cannot refuse compensation if a delay or cancellation is caused by a technical fault with the aircraft.

COMPENSATION

How much compensation are you entitled to?

The amount of compensation depends on the flight distance. The right to compensation remains valid for delays exceeding 3 hours, flight cancellations, or denied boarding.

Regardless of the reason for the delay, airlines are required to provide care for passengers, including refreshments, meals, and hotel accommodation when necessary.

IMPORTANT: CLAIM DEADLINES

The two systems — now and after 2027

The deadline for submitting a compensation claim depends on when the flight disruption occurred.

Now (until the new regulation enters into force):

The limitation period is not harmonized across the EU. Each Member State applies its own limitation period. In Bulgaria, the current limitation period under general civil law is 3 years from the date of the flight.

After the new regulation enters into force (expected in 2027):

A single 9-month deadline will apply throughout the European Union. Passengers will have 9 months from the date of the flight to submit a claim. Airlines must respond or make payment within 30 days.

WHEN WILL THE NEW RULES TAKE EFFECT?

Timeline

June 2026 ➜ The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union reached a provisional agreement after 10 months of negotiations. The lead negotiator was Bulgarian Member of the European Parliament Andrey Novakov (EPP/GERB).

July 2026 (expected) ➜ Final vote in the European Parliament.

Approximately 2027 (12 months after publication in the Official Journal of the European Union) ➜ The new rules will enter into force for all EU-registered airlines, including low-cost carriers.

YOUR RIGHTS TODAY

The current EU261/2004 Regulation fully protects you

Until the new provisions are formally adopted and enter into force, the current EU261/2004 Regulation continues to fully protect air passengers. If your flight is delayed by more than 3 hours, cancelled, or you are denied boarding, you may be entitled to financial compensation.

Have you experienced a delayed or cancelled flight?
Check whether you're eligible for compensation at claimster.bg, or contact us directly at +359 88 596 7297.