At the beginning of June, the European Union's air passenger rights reform reached a key point, but negotiations between the Parliament and the Council representing the member states have not yet reached a final agreement. The stakes of the debate are practical: from when compensation should be granted after a long flight delay, how much the amount should be, what rights the passenger should have in case of cancellation or re-routing, and whether a basic carry-on bag should be included in the ticket price. For Hungarian travelers, this is important because current EU rules affect most European and overseas flights departing from Budapest, as well as many flights arriving in the EU.
The recent development does not mean that passenger rights have already changed. On the contrary: the current regulations continue to apply until the EU legislative process is concluded. However, during the week of June 2, negotiations visibly stalled on the most sensitive points. Reports suggest that decision-makers may continue discussions in the coming days as the political deadline approaches. This uncertainty is particularly delicate at the start of the summer travel season, as delays, cancellations, strikes, air traffic restrictions, and tight connection times affect far more passengers during this period.
What is the current EU debate about?
The most well-known element of the EU air passenger rights system is Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, which covers, among other things, refunds, re-routing, care, and monetary compensation. The rules are familiar to many passengers: if a flight arrives with a significant delay, is cancelled, or the passenger is denied boarding due to overbooking, compensation of 250, 400, or 600 euros may be granted under certain conditions. The exact entitlement depends on the flight distance, the length of the arrival delay, the departure and arrival airports, the operating airline, and whether there were extraordinary circumstances.
The reform was put on the agenda because the current system is difficult to interpret in several points, and practice is not always uniform across member states. The Council and the Parliament fundamentally agree that clearer information, faster complaint handling, better re-routing rules, and more predictable procedures are needed. The main debate is not about these, but about the compensation thresholds and the basic baggage rights of passengers.
The biggest question: should the three-hour rule remain?
According to current EU information, a passenger may be entitled to compensation if they arrive at their final destination at least three hours late, and the delay was not caused by extraordinary circumstances. This three-hour logic has become one of the most well-known reference points for passenger rights in Europe. The Parliament's position is that this basic principle must be maintained, otherwise many passengers would lose the protection they know today.
In contrast, the previous Council position of the member states included higher thresholds: for shorter and intra-EU routes, monetary compensation would be linked to a four-hour delay, and for longer routes, up to a six-hour delay. The Council argues that the reform must simultaneously consider passenger protection, the operational realities of airlines, and the sustainability of European air connections. Passenger protection organizations, however, fear that raising the threshold would significantly reduce the number of passengers entitled to compensation in practice.
From a Hungarian perspective, this is not a theoretical question. On a Budapest–Paris, Budapest–Rome, Budapest–Amsterdam, or Budapest–Madrid route, a four-hour threshold would mean that many delays that are currently a basis for a monetary claim may not be in the future. For longer, connecting flights, a six-hour threshold could be particularly sensitive for those traveling on a single booking toward North America, Asia, or the Middle East.
Carry-on baggage: service or basic right?
Another major point of contention is carry-on baggage. According to the European Parliament's previous position, passengers should be able to take a small carry-on bag in addition to a personal item free of charge, subject to specified size and weight limits. The guidelines in parliamentary documents refer to a small carry-on bag of 7 kilograms and a maximum total size of 100 centimeters. The goal is for the passenger to see clearly at the start of the booking what the ticket price includes, so that basic-seeming extra costs are not revealed at the end of payment.
At the June negotiations, reports indicate that some convergence occurred in this area: if an airline charges a separate fee for a larger carry-on bag, the fare including the fee should be displayed more transparently at the beginning of the booking process. However, this is not the same as every passenger automatically receiving a free cabin suitcase. The issue is important because in the low-cost model, the cost of baggage, seat selection, airport check-in, or a name correction can significantly change the final price of the trip.
What remains in effect now until there are new rules?
The most important practical message: current rights have not disappeared for now. If a Hungarian passenger travels now, they should continue to act based on the current EU rules. In case of cancellation or significant delay, the airline must inform the passenger of their rights and, in certain situations, provide care: food, refreshments, communication means, and, if necessary, accommodation and airport transfer. If the flight is cancelled, the passenger can generally choose between a refund, an earlier re-routing, or a later re-routing suitable for them.
For monetary compensation, it still matters whether the route falls under EU jurisdiction. For flights departing from the EU, it generally does, regardless of the airline's headquarters. For flights arriving in the EU from outside the EU, it may be important whether an EU airline operates the flight. For connecting flights, it is particularly essential whether the segments are on a single booking, as this can affect the delay calculated to the final destination and the chance of claiming compensation.
What should a Hungarian traveler do in case of delay or cancellation?
During the summer season, it is advisable to monitor not only the departure time but also the booking data, connection times, and evidence of passenger rights. Those departing from Budapest can check the flights available from Budapest airport before departure, and just before traveling, it may be useful to follow the live departure and arrival information of Budapest airport. This does not replace the airline's official notification but helps to notice schedule changes in time.
If the flight is delayed or cancelled, the passenger should keep the boarding pass, the electronic ticket, airline messages, photos of airport displays, and invoices for extra expenses. If accommodation or airport transport is needed, reasonableness and provability are important for expenses. For arrivals in Budapest or late-night returns home, for example, Budapest airport transfer or taxi can be planned in advance, and for longer waits, accommodation around Budapest airport may be relevant.
Not every delay automatically results in money. Extraordinary circumstances, such as extreme weather, certain security risks, war situations, or external air traffic disturbances, may exempt the airline from compensation if it can prove that all reasonable measures were taken. However, care and information obligations often remain important even then.
Why is this important for the tourism market?
The reform of air passenger rights is not just a legal-technical question. In tourism, predictability directly affects consumer confidence. If the passenger knows that in case of delay or cancellation they can count on a clear procedure, fast information, and substantial help, they will book in advance more easily, take connecting flights more boldly, and feel the peak summer season as less risky. If, however, the rules seem more complicated, weaker, or harder to enforce, it may dampen demand, especially for family and long-distance trips.
On the airline side, however, it is a real operational problem that Europe's airspace and airports are often overloaded. A small delay can easily cause a domino effect, especially when aircraft and crew reserves are tight, or when weather, air traffic control restrictions, strikes, or technical checks enter the system. The real challenge of the reform is to make the rules clearer without disproportionately shifting the risk to either the passengers or the providers.
What should be looked for in the coming days?
In the coming weeks, three things will be particularly important. First: whether a political compromise is reached on the three-hour rule, or if the deadlock remains. Second: whether there is a clear solution for all airlines regarding carry-on baggage and price transparency. Third: whether complaint handling deadlines, pre-filled application forms, re-routing and information rules actually improve.
For Hungarian travelers, the safest strategy until then is conscious booking. During the peak summer period, it is advisable to avoid overly short connections, especially for flights bought on separate tickets. Carry-on baggage rules should be checked separately for every booking, as airline fee structures differ. For family travel, it is particularly important to check the fees for seat selection and sitting next to children, as these are also part of the current EU debate.
Summary
The EU air passenger rights reform did not conclude in early June, but reached a critical stage. Current rules continue to live, so the compensation logic related to the three-hour delay and the basic choice options in case of cancellation have not changed yet. However, the outcome of the debate may determine how strong passenger protection will be in Europe in the coming years and how transparent the real price of flight tickets will be.
Those flying in the summer of 2026 should look not only at prices and schedules but also at their rights. A delay or cancellation is unpleasant in itself, but it is much easier to handle if the passenger knows which documents to keep, when they can request care, when they may be entitled to a refund or re-routing, and under what conditions monetary compensation may arise. The current deadlock in Brussels is therefore a development to be directly followed by every European, and thus every Hungarian, air passenger.