New travel rule could make getting a refund for delayed and cancelled flights much easier

The days of battling confusing airline websites after a delayed or cancelled flight could soon be coming to an end.

The European Parliament has overwhelmingly backed new rules to strengthen air passenger rights, voting 646 to 12 in favour of the changes, with the European Council officially signing off on the agreement shortly afterwards.

The updated rules, which are set to come into force from mid-2027, are designed to make claiming compensation simpler and give travellers stronger protections across the board.

If you've ever spent hours trying to claim money back after a delayed or cancelled flight, only to be rejected without a proper explanation, these changes could make a real difference.

The European Parliament approved the update to EU Regulation 261/2004 earlier this month (7 July), with the Council giving its final approval on 13 July.

The agreement came almost a month after lawmakers reached a deal, bringing an end to 13 years of negotiations.

The updated rules are set to come into force from mid-2027 (Getty Stock Images)

One of the biggest wins for passengers is that compensation remains protected. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) defended the right to compensation of between €250 and €600 for flights delayed by more than three hours, depending on the distance.

The existing rules on reimbursement or re-routing for cancelled flights will also stay the same.

The update also introduces a number of practical changes aimed at making travel less stressful.

Passengers will be able to correct spelling mistakes in their name free of charge, receive a digital boarding pass at check-in without needing a specific airline app, and children under 14 and passengers with disabilities will be able to sit next to the person travelling with them at no extra cost.

Passengers will be able to correct spelling mistakes in their name free of charge (Getty Stock Images)

Airlines will also have to make the compensation process clearer.

They must provide passengers with clear instructions on how to claim compensation and send them an electronic EU-wide standardised compensation form, or their own version, to complete.

The new rules also tighten what airlines can and can't do. Flights can only be cancelled in 'extraordinary circumstances', with airlines required to explain what caused the disruption.

The cost of carry-on luggage must be included in the advertised base fare, while airlines will no longer be allowed to cancel a passenger's inbound flight simply because they didn't take the outbound journey.

With the EU approving these major changes to air passenger rights, including measures designed to make reimbursements quicker, improve transparency and strengthen protections from mid-2027, Ferdinando D'Agostino, travel expert at airport transfer company Transfeero, has exclusively explained to Tyla what the changes could mean for travellers.

Children under 14 and passengers with disabilities will be able to sit next to the person travelling with them at no extra cost (Getty Stock Images)

Less stress

"One of the biggest frustrations for travellers isn’t always the delay itself; it’s trying to work out what will happen next," Ferdinando explained.

"When flights are disrupted, passengers are often left searching airline websites, comparing conflicting advice online and wondering whether they’re entitled to a refund, compensation, or simply have to absorb the extra costs themselves."

He added: "If the new rules make reimbursement and passenger rights easier to understand, that’s a real win for travellers. When people know exactly what they’re entitled to and how to claim it, they spend less time worrying about paperwork and more time focusing on getting their journey back on track."

Delays don't end at the airport

"A delayed flight rarely affects just the flight itself," the expert continued.

"It can trigger a chain reaction throughout an entire trip. We’ve seen travellers miss pre-booked airport transfers, hotel check-ins, connecting transport, cruises, guided tours and even weddings or business meetings because of a single disruption."

While no legislation can prevent delays from happening, making the support available to passengers clearer and more accessible can remove a huge amount of uncertainty at what is already a stressful time.

"If the new rules make reimbursement and passenger rights easier to understand, that’s a real win for travellers." (Getty Stock Images)

Travellers still need to be prepared

Ferdinando outlined: "Even with stronger passenger protections, travellers shouldn’t assume everything will happen automatically. It’s still important to keep boarding passes, booking confirmations and any notifications from the airline about delays or cancellations."

If you have to pay for meals, accommodation or alternative transport because of disruption, be sure to keep every receipt.

"Having a clear record of what happened and any additional expenses can make the process much smoother should you need to make a claim later," the expert urged.

What travellers should do if their flight is delayed

The expert advises you don’t throw away your boarding pass and instead keep your boarding confirmation until your trip has completely finished.

"Save every airline notification: Take screenshots of delay alerts, emails and app notifications in case you need them later," he continued.

"Keep receipts for unexpected costs: If you need to pay for food, accommodation or transport because of the delay, keep proof of every purchase."

He also urged travellers to check their onward bookings.

"Contact your hotel, airport transfer provider or tour operator as soon as you know your arrival time has changed," Ferdinando said.

"Know your rights before you fly: Spending just a few minutes understanding what support may be available before travelling can save a lot of stress if your plans are disrupted."

He concluded: "This is ultimately about giving travellers more confidence.

"Flight delays will always happen from time to time, but when passengers understand both their rights and the practical steps they should take, they are in a much stronger position to deal with disruption calmly and get their trip back on track."