New flying rules for passengers – and Ryanair hate them

The new EU rules are hoped to improve air passenger rights

The rules for flying have been the same since 2004 and negotiations are finally over.

The European Council changes will “simplify, clarify and strengthen” existing rights, according to the bloc.

The new rules require will basic airfares to include a piece of overhead cabin baggage, meaning no hidden fees when it comes to booking.

This is a larger bag that goes in the overhead bin, rather than the personal item typically stored under a seat. A weight limit or standard size is not stipulated.

“Airlines are free to set weight limits if they wish, but the Court of Justice of the EU has been clear that any weight limits have to be reasonable,” says the official Q&A.

Families will also now be able to sit together for no extra cost, aswell as people with disabilities or reduced mobility. Something that has been roundly welcomed.

This year, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched an investigation into “charges that parents must pay to sit with their children on flights” with Ryanair under the microscope.

The airline said its policy always complied with laws and regulations, but that it would “reluctantly adjust to this industry standard”.

Another change will prohibit airlines from denying boarding because a passenger didn’t take an outbound flight (called a ‘no-show’).

Airlines will also be obliged to correct false spellings of passenger names on tickets, and to provide printed boarding passes to checked-in passengers, free of charge.

Where airports do not provide sufficient assistance, people who travel with mobility equipment and assistance dogs will no longer have to pay extra insurance, and can get mobility equipment replaced at no cost should it get lost or damaged, under the new rules.

For cancellations, under the EU261 rules, when an airline cancels a flight, passengers must be offered a choice between refund and rerouting.

That will continue, but the updates require better communication from airlines.

After a cancellation, they must offer passengers choosing rerouting at the earliest opportunity an alternative within three hours, and under comparable conditions.

“Passengers should, for example, not be forced to take multiple connecting flights if they booked a direct connection," it reads.

If an airline fails to offer rerouting within three hours, passengers may organise their own rerouting and claim reimbursement of up to four times of the original ticket price.

Airlines will also be required to tighten up communication around compensation, and improve how they handle claims.

Ryanair aren't happy about most of the changes, naturally.

The airline says it will be "forced to advertise higher fares (which include a second cabin bag) when over 50pc of passengers already opt for a lower fare and choose not to travel with a second cabin bag”.

Ryanair has also argued that the EU would be better off addressing root causes of disruption, such as ongoing air traffic controller strikes, than creating “rubbish” regulations.

Willie Walsh of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) characterised the rules as a missed opportunity.

“The result will not reduce delays, but... will create operational challenges and add costs which will ultimately be borne by passengers," he said.

“So, it’s a reform in name only that does nothing to help disrupted passengers.”

The new rules are set for next summer, but the exact date is still unknown.