Virginijus Sinkevičius, the Lithuanian MEP who led the European Parliament’s negotiating team, said the agreement had succeeded in protecting the most important passenger rights while also bringing greater clarity for travellers across the EU.

“Passengers must not become the price of compromise,” Sinkevičius said. “There was considerable pressure during these negotiations to weaken the rights that exist today, but the European Parliament resisted that. We managed to preserve the core compensation guarantees, while also achieving new protections that matter to people in their everyday lives – from the right for families to sit together, to stronger safeguards for passengers with disabilities.”

What will change for passengers?

Among the most significant new measures:

– Families seated together, free of charge. Airlines will no longer be permitted to separate families and charge extra for seats together. Children will be entitled to sit next to their parents at no additional cost.

– Stronger protections for passengers with disabilities. This includes the right to compensation in cases where a missed flight results from a failure to provide adequate assistance.

– Pushchairs and wheelchairs available at the aircraft door. Passengers will be able to keep their buggy or wheelchair with them until boarding and collect it immediately on arrival – addressing a long-standing frustration for travelling families and passengers with mobility needs.

– Clearer guidance after disruption. Following a cancellation or lengthy delay, passengers will automatically receive clear instructions on how to claim compensation, rather than having to navigate the process themselves.

– No charges for minor name corrections. Administrative fees for small errors in a passenger’s name or booking details will be abolished.

Ban on “no-show” penalties. Airlines will no longer be able to invalidate a return ticket simply because a passenger did not use the outbound leg of their journey – a practice that has long drawn criticism from consumer groups.

– Stronger rights for diverted passengers. Protections will be reinforced for passengers whose flights are redirected to a different airport, and the rules on compensation in such cases will be more clearly defined.

Core compensation rules preserved

One of the Parliament’s key priorities in the negotiations was to prevent any dilution of existing passenger rights.

Under EU rules that have been in place since 2004, passengers are entitled to compensation when flights are delayed by three hours or more. That threshold has been retained, as have the current compensation amounts of €250, €400 and €600, depending on the length of the flight.

“Millions of Europeans rely on these rights every year,” Sinkevičius said. “Our aim was not to weaken those protections but to strengthen and clarify them. Passengers need to know their rights, and airlines need to understand their obligations clearly.”

Codifying two decades of case law

The new agreement will also, for the first time, enshrine in legislation many of the passenger rights principles established by the Court of Justice of the European Union over the past two decades. Those rulings have shaped the practical interpretation of passenger rights in countless cases, but have never been formally written into EU law, meaning the rules have sometimes been applied inconsistently across member states.

By bringing that body of case law into the statute books, the reforms are intended to create greater legal certainty for both passengers and airlines throughout the EU.

Credits: EU

The post Updated air passenger rights: what the new EU rules mean for travellers first appeared on AircrewNews.com.

This development marks the transition from exclusive “Pathway to Perfect” operations to full commercial service available to all travellers.

A New Era of Premium Air Travel

Riyadh Air has been operating daily flights between Riyadh (RUH) and London Heathrow (LHR) since late October 2025. Until now, these services used a leased Boeing 787-9, named “Jamila”, primarily for employees of the airline and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), along with their families.

This soft-launch approach allowed the airline to refine operations, crew training, and service standards ahead of public debut.

The new aircraft feature Riyadh Air’s signature interior, designed to deliver exceptional comfort and Saudi hospitality.

CEO Tony Douglas highlighted the milestone. “Today marks a truly exciting milestone for Riyadh Air as we introduce our new aircraft and signature premium experience on our established London route.”

“It demonstrates our deep commitment to delivering a truly world-class journey for our guests, one that blends exceptional comfort, cutting-edge technology and our distinctive Saudi ‘Hafawa’ hospitality from the moment they step on board.”

Cabin Design Without Traditional First Class

Riyadh Air’s Boeing 787-9 is configured in a smart two-class-plus layout with 290 seats total. It skips a conventional first-class cabin to maximize space and yield while offering superior premium experiences.

Business Elite (4 seats)

Located in the front row, these ultra-premium suites feature 32-inch 4K OLED screens and can convert into double beds (in centre pairs) for couples. They provide enhanced privacy, storage, and a social dining space.

Business Class (24 seats)

Arranged in a spacious 1-2-1 configuration using the Safran Unity platform. Each suite offers 52-inch high walls for privacy, 22-inch 4K OLED screens, and impressive customization inspired by Saudi architecture.

Premium Economy and Economy

Further back, passengers enjoy generous Recaro seats with ample pitch and high-quality entertainment.

A standout innovation is the Devialet Euphony audio system. Integrated speakers in the headrest create a personal sound bubble with active cabin noise compensation, allowing high-fidelity audio without traditional headphones. The cabin design draws from Saudi landscapes, using calming indigo, mocha, and lavender tones for a serene atmosphere.

Route Details and Connectivity

The daily schedule includes:

• RX401: Riyadh to London, departing 2:35 AM, arriving 7:30 AM
• RX402: London to Riyadh, departing 9:35 AM, arriving 6:05 PM

This route supports Saudi Vision 2030 by strengthening ties with the UK and serving as a gateway to Riyadh’s growing network, which will eventually include destinations like Jeddah, Cairo, and Dubai.

The airline aims to serve over 100 global destinations by 2030 with a large fleet of Boeing 787-9s and other aircraft.

Conclusion

Riyadh Air’s launch represents more than a new flight schedule. It showcases Saudi Arabia’s investment in aviation excellence, combining Boeing’s efficient Dreamliner technology with bespoke design and hospitality.

Passengers can expect modern amenities, including high-speed Viasat Wi-Fi, premium dining, and a focus on comfort that rivals or exceeds established carriers.

As public sales open and new Dreamliners enter service, travellers gain a compelling new option for travel between the UK and Saudi Arabia.

Whether for business or leisure, Riyadh Air promises a fresh, luxurious journey that embodies the future of air travel.

Credits: Riyadh Air

The post Riyadh Air Introduces New Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on Riyadh-London Route first appeared on AircrewNews.com.