EU Passenger Rights Reform: What Does the New Agreement Mean for Hungarian Passengers?

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Alisa Oberan
CEO
21.08.2026 22:10

EU Passenger Rights Reform: What Does the New Agreement Mean for Hungarian Passengers?

The Council of the European Union and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on June 15, 2026, regarding a comprehensive update of air passenger rights. The most important message for Hungarian travelers is that the basis of the compensation logic for delays exceeding three hours remains, while carry-on baggage prices may become more transparent, complaint handling may be faster, and stronger protection is provided for families, passengers with reduced mobility, and other travelers with special needs.

This news is particularly important because during the European summer travel season, many Hungarian passengers fly with low-cost or traditional airlines from Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava, Debrecen, or other nearby airports. Comparing ticket prices today is often difficult: one offer may seem cheap, but only includes a small personal item, while for another, the cabin suitcase, seat, boarding pass, or name correction may appear as separate fees. The goal of the new EU regulation is not to eliminate every dispute with a single move, but to make it clearer at the beginning of the booking process what the passenger receives for the listed price and what happens if the flight is delayed, canceled, or if the passenger finds themselves in a vulnerable position.

What Exactly Happened?

Negotiators from the Council and the European Parliament agreed on the modernization of air passenger rights after more than a decade of debate. The current European protection has been in place since 2004 and primarily regulates issues of denied boarding, flight cancellation, significant delay, rerouting, care, and compensation. Since then, air transport has changed significantly: the low-cost model has become mass-market, digital check-in and app-based travel have become common, and passengers more frequently encounter separate fees and different service packages.

The new agreement does not yet mean that all rules have come into effect immediately. The text must be formally adopted by the European Parliament and the Council after legal and linguistic review. Therefore, the current situation should be treated as a strong political and legislative breakthrough, rather than a change in airport rules applicable from tomorrow. Travelers should continue to check the airline's current terms, airport information, and valid EU passenger rights information before their specific trip.

The Three-Hour Delay Threshold Remains

One of the most important points for Hungarian passengers is that the three-hour threshold logic remains for delay compensation. According to the agreement, a passenger can claim compensation if the flight arrives more than three hours late, or if the airline cancels the flight less than 14 days before departure. Compensation amounts depend on the distance: 250 euros for shorter routes, 400 euros for medium distances, and 600 euros for longer routes.

This is especially important for European and long-haul flights departing from Budapest. A late evening return flight from London, Paris, Barcelona, Istanbul, or Dubai can cause not only inconvenience but also additional costs: missed trains, extra accommodation, loss of work time, or new airport transfers. The essence of the new regulation is that the right to compensation does not become harder to access, while airlines can still refer to extraordinary circumstances if the delay or cancellation was truly caused by an event beyond their control.

Carry-on Baggage: Not Simply a "Free Suitcase," but More Transparent Pricing

The part regarding carry-on baggage will likely cause the most misunderstanding. According to the communication from EU institutions, the comparability of ticket prices in the new system would be strengthened by ensuring that the default price at the beginning of the booking process includes carry-on baggage entitlement. The European Parliament specifically emphasized that passengers must be able to bring at least one personal item, such as a small bag or backpack, free of charge, and booking pages must more clearly show which package is included in the price.

However, it is important to note that this does not necessarily mean the complete end of today's low-cost price structure. According to negotiators, airlines may offer a cheaper option for those who voluntarily waive the larger carry-on baggage. The practical change, therefore, may be that the passenger can more easily see: how much a ticket that seems to be 19 euros actually costs when comparing the same package size, seat requirement, and payment terms with another airline's offer. This is particularly important in the Hungarian market, as many travelers simultaneously look at flights departing from Budapest airport, alternatives from Vienna or Bratislava, and various low-cost packages.

Faster and More Understandable Complaint Handling

Another strong element of the new regulation is the simplification of complaint handling. After a delay or cancellation, airlines must inform affected passengers electronically, with clear instructions on how to request compensation. According to the Council's announcement, the airline must acknowledge the request immediately and then, within 30 days, either pay or explain with clear reasoning why the request is rejected.

This point can make a big difference in practice. Today, many passengers do not exercise their rights because they do not know which form to fill out, how long they have to submit a claim, what documents to keep, or when it is appropriate to turn to the national authority. According to information from the European Parliament, passengers may have nine months to submit a compensation claim, and airlines must provide a clear answer. Those traveling during the summer peak season should already get used to keeping the boarding pass, booking confirmation, messages received about the delay, accommodation or meal receipts, and any document that may be necessary for a later claim.

Care in Case of Delay and Cancellation

The agreement also specifies in more detail what care passengers stranded at the airport are entitled to. Based on the Council's announcement, for longer waits, refreshments, meals, internet access, and telephone communication may be provided, and for overnight stays, the airline must provide accommodation and transport between the airport and the accommodation. If the airline does not provide the necessary care, the passenger can arrange it themselves and then request reimbursement of the costs.

This is essential for Hungarian travelers because the cost of a vacation often consists of more than just the plane ticket. For those sleeping near the airport for an early morning departure, it may be useful to check accommodation options around Budapest airport in advance. For those arriving home late in the evening, the issue of Budapest airport transfer or taxi may become more important. Strengthening the rules does not replace forward-looking planning, but it can reduce the risk of the passenger being left completely alone during a prolonged disruption.

Families, Passengers with Reduced Mobility, and Pregnant Travelers

The new agreement pays special attention to more vulnerable passengers. Adults traveling with children under 14 must be allowed to sit next to the child free of charge. The same protection may extend to persons accompanying passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility, as well as to pregnant travelers. This is particularly important for low-cost flights, where automatic seat assignment and paid seat selection have caused uncertainty for many families.

The rights of passengers with reduced mobility may also be strengthened. According to the agreement, new compensation and assistance rules may apply to cases where the passenger misses the flight due to a lack of airport assistance, or when a mobility device is damaged or lost. This is not merely a consumer protection detail: access to flying is a fundamental issue for those who can only safely reach the gate, transfer, or arrive at their destination with appropriate support.

No-show Rule and Digital Boarding Pass

One of the less visible but practical points of the agreement is the limitation of the no-show rule. Until now, airlines could in some cases deny the use of the return leg if the passenger did not fly the first leg of the outbound journey. Under the new guideline, a passenger cannot be deprived of further legs simply for this reason. This could be useful, for example, if someone eventually reaches a European city from Budapest by train or car, but still wishes to use their plane ticket for the return journey.

Changes may also come to digital travel. According to information from the Parliament, passengers should not be forced to receive travel information or compensation guidelines exclusively through a specific app. This is important for those who face roaming problems abroad, a dead phone, limited internet access, or simply digital uncertainty. Online administration is fast, but it should not become a barrier that causes the passenger to lose their rights.

What Should the Hungarian Traveler Do Now?

The current agreement is not a reason for anyone to handle booking terms more loosely. Rather, it warns that when choosing a plane ticket, the final price, baggage rules, transfer time, arrival time, and complaint handling options all count together. Especially during the summer peak season, it is advisable to avoid overly tight self-transfers, check carry-on baggage size, and look at what transport or accommodation options are available around the airport before departure.

  • Before booking, compare not only the base price but the final total including the package, seat, and payment fees.
  • In case of delay or cancellation, keep the booking code, boarding pass, airline messages, and necessary receipts.
  • If traveling with a family, while pregnant, or with special assistance needs, indicate these needs during booking and check the airline's confirmation before departure.
  • For departures or arrivals in Budapest, it is useful to plan the airport exit in advance, especially at dawn, late at night, or with multiple pieces of luggage.
  • If continuing the journey by car in Hungary, check Budapest airport car rental options in advance, as opening hours and pickup terms may matter in case of delay.

Why Is This Important for the Hungarian Market?

Hungary's aviation market is highly price-sensitive, while Budapest airport is increasingly becoming a starting point for more long-haul and connecting flights. Hungarian passengers often choose low-cost routes to London, Milan, Barcelona, Brussels, or Athens, but they also travel to North America, Asia, or the Middle East through the networks of traditional airlines. Budapest-London flights, for example, show how important the accurate comparison of prices and services is: for the same city, multiple airports, multiple airlines, and multiple package models may be available.

The new EU passenger rights reform is therefore not just legal news, but a market signal. If airlines must display prices including carry-on baggage more clearly, it can help consumers make more realistic decisions. If compensation and care rules are clearer, it can reduce uncertainty after a delay or cancellation. If the protection of families and special-needs passengers is strengthened, it can make flying not only cheaper or more expensive, but more predictable and more human.

Conclusion

The EU agreement of June 15, 2026, could be one of the most important updates to air passenger rights since the 2004 regulation. The task for Hungarian travelers now is not to memorize every detail with legal precision, but to book more consciously: look at the total price, understand the package terms, keep documents, and do not automatically give up their rights in case of delay or cancellation. The reform will be truly valuable if, in practice, it simplifies what is most important to the most passengers: fair price, clear rules, understandable complaint handling, and more predictable travel in Europe.