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The European Union is strengthening Travellers’ rights and cracking down on several fees deemed excessive. Among the main measures, airlines can no longer charge parents for choosing seats that allow them to sit next to their children. This rule applies to all carriers operating within the European Union and curbs practices that drove up the final price of tickets. Another significant change is that airlines no longer charge for correcting a simple typo in a name during booking. Until now, some travellers had to pay sometimes substantial amounts to change a few letters. From now on, these fees will no longer apply when the passenger’s identity remains unchanged. The European Union is also maintaining the current rules on delays and cancellations. Compensation can still reach €600 depending on the flight distance.

However, the reform does not change anything regarding cabin baggage. Airlines retain the option to charge for certain bags and optional services. The agreement must still be officially approved before it enters into force. Once adopted, it will apply to all flights departing from an airport located in the European Union. This reform strengthens passenger protection and brings greater transparency to air travel.

The French Civil Aviation Authority confirms that the France Identité app will be accepted at boarding from summer 2026. Passengers will be able to present their smartphone instead of their physical identity card for flights departing from French airports to destinations within the Schengen Area. The measure does not replace traditional documents. Travellers will still need to carry their passport in the event of border checks or when travelling to destinations outside the Schengen Area. The rules set by the authorities and the destination countries remain unchanged. At boarding, staff will check that the digital identity displayed matches the boarding pass, in line with the regulations in force since 2018. The app will therefore simplify checks without changing the requirements relating to travel documents. Only holders of the electronic national identity card and a compatible smartphone will be able to use the service. The app links the national identity card to the phone to create a secure sovereign digital identity. More than 3.6 million French people already use this solution, including several hundred thousand with a certified identity. Until now, France Identité was mainly accepted on SNCF trains, excluding TER services, and during certain checks by law enforcement officers. Its arrival at airports marks a new stage for French digital identity in an environment subject to stringent security requirements.

The Schengen Entry/Exit System, gradually rolled out since October 2025, requires third-country nationals to provide biometric data at every border crossing. It replaces the manual stamp in passports and prepares the way for the future ETIAS scheme. On the ground, airports are already seeing a significant increase in processing times, with waits of several hours in some major European hubs. In Brussels, ACI Europe, Airlines for Europe and International Air Transport Association have issued a joint alert calling for an operational postponement until autumn 2026. The organisations warn of a risk of queues exceeding four hours during the peak season if biometric registration becomes mandatory for all affected passengers from the summer. They point to staff shortages at border controls, technical failures and the incomplete deployment of automated gates. They also highlight that the mobile app “Travel to Europe ”, developed with the support of Frontex, remains underused. Industry professionals are calling for a clear legal framework to suspend or temporarily adapt the system during peak periods. The issue goes beyond the passenger experience and directly affects the connectivity of European hubs, the punctuality of flights and the tourist appeal of the European Union.

The decree published on 5 August 2025 enters into force on 7 February 2026 and changes the procedure applicable to claims for compensation by air passengers, particularly those based on European Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004. Until now, a passenger could apply directly to a court for compensation following a flight delay or cancellation. Going forward, before taking any legal action, mediation exclusively through the Tourism and Travel Mediator will be mandatory. This prior step is intended to promote the amicable resolution of disputes between travellers and airlines, particularly where the claim concerns a significant delay, a cancellation or denied boarding. If mediation fails or no solution is found, the passenger may then consider bringing proceedings before a court by way of a writ of summons rather than by a simple application, which may involve more formal steps and potential costs.