The European Parliament has agreed on new rules to help people when their travel goes wrong. The vote had strong support: 652 members voted yes and two voted no. Eight members did not choose either side. Travellers across the European Union will have one form to ask for their money back. The European Commission will put it on its website in every EU language. People can use it for all types of transport.
Passengers have the right to get all their money back within 14 days. This also applies to people who buy tickets through a travel agent or a booking website. These businesses must return the money. If they do not pay on time, the airline must pay the passenger instead.
The rules also help people with disabilities. When necessary, another person can fly with them for free. This already happens on buses, trains and ships. The new rules follow changes to air travel rights from July. Those changes made it easier to get money back. They also require airlines to include one free item of hand luggage in prices shown online.
