European Union lawmakers and member states have reached agreement on new passenger rights rules that allow families to reserve adjacent seats on flights free of charge and require airlines to display ticket prices more transparently.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and Cyprus Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades, representing EU member states, signed the agreement in Strasbourg on Monday.
The deal still requires formal approval by both EU member states and the European Parliament, although that is widely seen as a formality.
Under the agreement, online ticket searches will by default display fares that include one piece of hand luggage, making it easier for consumers to compare prices.
Airlines will, however, remain free to offer cheaper tickets that require passengers to pay extra if they want to have cabin baggage, a model already used by some low-cost carriers.
The rules would also guarantee that seats next to parents can be reserved free of charge for minor children.
Passengers who have checked in digitally would be entitled to a free printed boarding pass.
"This modernized framework will deliver certainty, fairness and stronger protection for millions of European air passengers. The agreement strikes a fair balance for our airlines, helping preserve connectivity that is vital to the EU’s internal market and its citizens," said Vafeades in a statement.
During recent negotiations, EU member states had dropped plans to raise the threshold for compensation payments for delayed flights.
Passengers would therefore continue to be eligible for compensation if their flight arrives at least three hours late, provided the delay is the airline's responsibility. Compensation would remain set at €250 ($290) for flights of up to 1,500 kilometres, €400 for flights of up to 3,500 kilometres and €600 for longer journeys.
The rules would cover flights within the EU, flights into the bloc operated by EU carriers and all flights leaving the EU.
