EU Divided Over Flight Delay Compensation as Lawmakers Back Passenger Rights

European lawmakers have voted to uphold one of the most recognizable protections for travellers: compensation for flight delays of more than three hours. The decision, passed by the European Parliament’s legal affairs committee this week, reaffirms the chamber’s support for strong consumer rights, even as EU governments push to loosen the rules in favour of airlines.

The reform marks the first major review of Europe’s passenger rights framework in more than a decade. While lawmakers agreed to modernize elements of the existing system, they rejected proposals from the Council of the EU to raise the delay threshold to four or even six hours before passengers could claim financial compensation. Parliament’s stance preserves the principle that travellers who arrive three hours or more behind schedule are entitled to reimbursement ranging from €300 to €600, depending on flight distance.

The Parliament’s lead negotiator, Bulgarian MEP Andrey Novakov, said the decision was about protecting everyday citizens, not abstract regulations. Lawmakers also backed measures requiring airlines to allow cabin luggage free of charge, seat children next to parents without added cost, and speed up refund procedures when flights are cancelled.

Consumer groups praised the outcome as a clear victory for passengers. The European Consumer Organisation called the vote “encouraging,” saying it reinforced the idea that consumer rights should evolve toward greater protection, not less.

But airlines and several EU member states have pushed back, warning that the three-hour rule is too rigid. Industry representatives argue that extending the limit would reduce unnecessary payouts caused by issues outside their control—such as weather or airport congestion—and allow carriers more time to deploy backup aircraft or crews. Some governments, including France, Italy, and the Netherlands, have expressed support for raising the delay window, claiming that aligning rules with operational realities could improve long-term reliability and environmental efficiency.

The European Council’s own position, agreed in June, would lengthen the delay requirement to four hours for shorter flights and six hours for long-haul journeys. The plan also revises compensation levels and clarifies what qualifies as extraordinary circumstances exempting carriers from liability.

This sets the stage for tense negotiations among the Parliament, the Council, and the European Commission. Parliament’s delegation is expected to enter talks with a strong mandate to resist any rollback of passenger entitlements. Supporters of the current system say the three-hour rule has become a cornerstone of European travel rights and a symbol of accountability in the aviation industry.

Whether that standard survives the upcoming negotiations will reveal how far the EU is willing to go to balance passenger protection against the financial realities of a struggling airline sector.