New rule lets you claim up to four times travel costs if flight is cancelled

Britons stranded in Europe due to cancelled flights could gain stronger rights under a new EU air passenger rules framework. The agreement between the EU Council and the European Parliament would allow passengers to reclaim replacement travel costs up to 400% of the original ticket price if rerouting is not offered within three hours. The rules apply to journeys departing EU airports on EU airlines, and protect travellers even after Brexit on routes between the UK and EU. The policy is separate from standard compensation for cancellations, with examples including UK to Spain payouts and higher sums for long-haul trips. Rights are based on route and operator, not nationality, and specific exclusions apply to some UK–EU flights with non-EU carriers. The guidance notes that UK261 may interact with EU rules, and real-world application will depend on airline obligations and route specifics. Analysts from AirAdvisor emphasize that travellers can pursue both replacement-cost reimbursement and arrival-delay compensation where eligible.