Starting next year, passenger rights will change in the European Union. Children up to 14 years old can sit next to a parent for free. Hand luggage is now included in the ticket price.
Kristina Tammaru said this is a major change. Previously, this was not specified in the law. Airlines themselves decided whether a child would sit next to a parent. Often, family members were seated separately.
Hand luggage must now be included in the ticket price. This means a backpack or handbag is free. However, airlines can still set their own size and weight limits.
If a flight is delayed or canceled, the passenger gets their money back. Previously, only a third of passengers knew this. Now, the airline must send instructions within 4 days.
Refunds will be paid within 30 days. Previously, the deadline was 90 days. If a passenger does not use the first flight, the return flight is not automatically canceled.
The final rules are still being coordinated. The changes are based on European Court rulings. The exact effective date is not yet known.