Russia strengthens passenger rights with new air travel protections

New Air Travel Rules Take Effect in Russia on March 1, Expanding Passenger Rights

Starting March 1, Russia will implement updated air travel regulations that significantly broaden passengers' rights to ticket refunds and establish clear service timelines in the event of flight delays.

The list of valid reasons for involuntary flight cancellations has been substantially expanded, according to TASS, citing the Russian Ministry of Transport.

"The grounds for recognizing a refusal of carriage as involuntary have been widened to include cases where a passenger is not provided the service class specified on their ticket, as well as errors in ticket processing by the carrier or an authorized agent," the ministry stated.

Passengers will now also be eligible for refunds in cases of delays exceeding 30 minutes, early departures, or if a close relative falls ill. Previously, the rules only referenced "family members."

Additionally, the ministry has set specific timeframes for passenger assistance during delays. Airlines must provide drinking water within one hour after a two-hour wait.

After four hours, hot beverages and meals must be offered. Hotel accommodations must be arranged no later than two hours after an eight-hour daytime delay or a six-hour overnight delay.

Another key change is the introduction of a 50% discount on domestic economy-class tickets for children. The updated rules also clarify seating arrangements for families with children under 12.

Airlines are now required to assign adjacent seats to parents traveling with two or more children. Adjacent seats are defined as those in the same row without a separating aisle, or—if there are many children—in the same row with an aisle or in neighboring rows.