EU and Switzerland enhance flight passenger rights

After thirteen years of debate, European Union countries and Switzerland have reached an agreement on new regulations aimed at strengthening the rights of air passengers. The new EU regulation addresses issues such as flight delays and transparent fare information, ending what has been described as a "wild west" of inconsistent airline practices.

Swiss travelers will also benefit from these enhanced protections, thanks to existing bilateral agreements with the EU. A key point of contention was the compensation amounts for delayed flights. The existing system, which mandates airlines pay between 250 and 600 euros depending on the flight distance for delays exceeding three hours, will be maintained. This decision came after some member states pushed to extend the delay threshold to four or even six hours for long-haul flights, which consumer protection groups argued would have significantly reduced airline payouts.

In a move to increase transparency, airlines will be required to display prices inclusive of hand luggage on flight search engines like Skyscanner and Swoodoo. This aims to prevent airlines from appearing cheaper by initially omitting the cost of carry-on baggage. While airlines can still offer discounts for passengers traveling without hand luggage, hidden fees added later will be more strictly scrutinized. Furthermore, airlines must now inform passengers of their compensation rights within 96 hours of a delay or other travel disruptions.

The new regulations also target "family fares" that charge extra for children to sit next to parents on flights. Such practices are now prohibited if the children are younger than a specified age, addressing a recent issue highlighted with airlines like Ryanair. The agreement represents a significant step in standardizing and improving the travel experience for millions of passengers across Europe.