Bulgaria Air Flight Cancellation Compensation

What is the difference between Bulgaria Air flight cancellation refund and Bulgaria Air flight cancellation compensation? In which situations can you get a refund, and in which — compensation? Can you get both? What is the amount of compensation? In this article, we will answer to these questions. There are numerous reasons why flights get cancelled. All you need to know is, if your flight is cancelled due to the airline’s fault, you may be entitled to both – a full refund from Bulgaria Air and cancellation compensation up to €600.

In case of Bulgaria Air, it applies to flights to and from the EU.

There are two ways you can claim flight cancellation compensation.

EU Regulation 261/2004: Introduction

EU regulation 261/2004, also known as the European flight compensation regulation, is a law that establishes common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in case of denied boarding, flight cancellations, or lengthy flight delays.

Passengers may be entitled to monetary compensation, full refund, reimbursement of expenses, or alternative transportation in the event of a qualifying disruption. It depends on the situation and the type of flight disruption. The regulation aims to protect air passenger rights and ensure airlines are held accountable for flight disruptions.

Thanks to this regulation, you are protected when your flight is cancelled. In this blog post, we will focus on flight cancellations.

1. Bulgaria Air Flight Cancellation Compensation: EU Regulations

What happens if your Bulgaria Air flight is cancelled?

Will the airline book you on a new flight free of charge? Can you get a refund instead? Are you entitled to flight cancellation compensation?

According to EU law, flight cancellation procedures are very specific.

If you are notified of the cancellation 7 – 14 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by your airline, which departs not more than 2 hours before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 4 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

If you are notified of the cancellation less than 7 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by your airline, which departs not more than 1 hour before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 2 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

Could you be entitled to Bulgaria Air flight cancellation compensation? 

Yes, if the flight meets these criteria:

• Cancellation must be due to the fault of Bulgaria Air;
• It must be a last-minute flight cancellation (not more than 2 weeks before departure);
• Flight must be to/from Europe (including the UK and EEA).

By Europe and EU here on this page (and on this website in general) we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

1.1 Extraordinary Circumstances

Sometimes reasons for flight cancellations are out of the airline’s control.

Situations like these are known as extraordinary circumstances. In such cases, you aren’t entitled to flight cancellation compensation no matter how last-minute is the cancellation.

If your flight is cancelled due to bad weather, natural disaster, cilvil unrest, acts of terrorism, security risks or political unrest,you can’t get flight cancellation compensation from Bulgaria Air. These events are out of the airline’s control, and the airline is not responsible for flights that get cancelled due to these events. 

What about strikes? If it’s a Bulgaria Air staff strike, and that causes delay, you might be entitled to strike compensation. If it’s a strike unrelated to the airline, it’s considered an extraordinary circumstance.

But what about technical problems? If your flight is cancelled due to technical issues, you might be entitled to compensation. Because technical problems aren’t considered extraordinary circumstances. Technical problems are not outside the airline’s control.

And, yes, make sure to double check what you’re told.

Because not always airlines are telling you the truth. 

If you are claiming compensation on your own, you need to make sure you are told real reasons for delay. Otherwise, you could have your compensation claim wrongfully refused. Airlines often avoid paying compensation to avoid financial losses. You need to be persistent when claiming compensation on your own. 

If this sounds like too much work (and stress!), work with a flight compensation company. A flight compensation company will check your flight and claim compensation (if it’s due) on your behalf. Our partners offer such services. 

Just fill in the claim form on this website, and our partners will check your flight on your behalf.

1.2 Right to Care

Your Bulgaria Air flight is cancelled last-minute.

Now you have to wait at the airport for a new flight. You have a right to care.

The EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 states that if your flight has been delayed, cancelled or overbooked, and you need to wait at the airport for a replacement flight for 3 or more hours, you have a right to receive care from the airline. What does it mean for you?

Bulgaria Air must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes. If your new flight is leaving only on the next day, a free hotel stay (including free transfer) must be offered.

Agreeing to these free services doesn’t affect your chances of getting compensation.

1.3 Bulgaria Air Flight Cancellation Refund, Bulgaria Air Refund Policy

And again, the rules are very specific.

According to EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, if your flight is cancelled, Bulgaria Air should offer you either a new flight or a full refund. It applies to most Bulgaria Air flight cancellations, including those due to extraordinary circumstances.

These rules aren’t affected by Bulgaria Air internal policies (Bulgaria Air refund policy). 

If you choose the refund, it must be made within 7 days.

You don’t have to agree to a Bulgaria Air voucher refund.

Here’s an excerpt from the Regulation (EC) No 261/2004:

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Article 5

Cancellation

In case of cancellation of a flight, the passengers concerned shall: (a) be offered assistance by the operating air carrier in accordance with Article 8.

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Article 8

Right to reimbursement or re-routing

Where reference is made to this Article, passengers shall be offered the choice between: (a) – reimbursement within seven days (b) re-routing, under comparable transport conditions, to their final destination at the earliest opportunity.

It doesn’t cover cases when you cancel your Bulgaria Air flight yourself.

2. How to Claim Bulgaria Air Compensation?

There are two ways how you can claim Bulgaria Air flight cancellation compensation.

One of them is more time consuming, the other – easier.

One of the options is to contact Bulgaria Air directly. Contact the airline using the email or the contact form provided on the airline’s website. If you are claiming compensation yourself, be prepared that it could take months, and a few reminder emails, until you receive your compensation from Bulgaria Air.

When submitting a Bulgaria Air flight compensation claim, refer to the Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.

You can also take the easiest path — legal representation.

In this case everything is handled by a flight compensation company. The company will contact the airline, and negotiate with its representatives. You won’t have to do that. All you have to do is to fill in and sign one form (EU flight cancellation compensation claim form). Our partners offer such services.

Read more:

• How to Claim Bulgaria Air Compensation?
• Is Your Bulgaria Air Flight Compensation Claim Denied? What’s Next?
• Your Bulgaria Air Refund Is Taking Forever. What Can You Do About It?

2.1 How Long Does It Take?

No matter how you proceed, it isn’t a short process. 

If the airline cooperates, you might receive your compensation after 2-3 months. If not, it might take longer than that. If you do it yourself and for the first time, it could take some time until you figure it out. 

Work with a flight compensation claim company for the best results.

3. How Much Can You Claim?

The compensation amount in the EU is up to €600 per person.

Here is how you can calculate your Bulgaria Air compensation:

When your destination is within the EU/UK:

When your destination is outside the EU/UK:

There’s one exception. When the flight distance is 3500+ kilometres and you reach your destination 3 to 4 hours later than planned, you are entitled only to 50% of the compensation amount (that means €300, not €600).

3.1 Bulgaria Air Voucher Refund or Cash?

What if you are offered a voucher instead of compensation?

If Bulgaria Air offers you a voucher instead of money, you don’t have to accept it. Ask for a bank transfer instead. Airline compensation and refunds have to be paid in cash or by bank transfer. It applies to all EU flights and EU airlines. The rules are exactly the same in the UK and the EEA.

4. What Happens If a Flight Is Cancelled?

What to do if your Bulgaria Air flight is cancelled?

First of all, wait for the email from Bulgaria Air. 

If you have received the email from the airline, see what information it contains. Probably, it will have all the answers. The airline has to offer you a new flight to your destination (there might be more than one available flight) or a full refund. You can choose whatever suits you best. 

The same applies to very last-minute cancellations. If you are already at the airport, and it’s a very last-minute cancellation, wait for the announcement from Bulgaria Air. 

In most cases, you’ll be given a choice between a new flight and full refund. If you choose the refund, keep in mind that usually the refunds are made within 7 days.

In some cases, you are entitled to compensation. In case of flight cancellations, compensation has to be paid when a flight is cancelled less than 2 weeks before departure date, and it is due to the airline’s fault.

4.1 Connecting Flights

Do you need to be on time for another flight? 

If it’s a Bulgaria Air connecting flight, don’t worry. If you miss your connection because your previous flight was delayed or cancelled, Bulgaria Air will book you on another flight free of charge. As long it’s a Bulgaria Air protected connection, booked as a single flight, and all flight legs are under one booking reference. 

But if it’s a self transfer (separately booked flights), it’s your responsibility. The airline won’t put you on a new flight free of change. You will need to book the new flight yourself. Your travel insurance might cover the costs. 

Bulgaria Air Flight Cancellation Compensation and Refund: FAQ

Bulgaria Air Refund

EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists

Other Situations

What is your experience? Have you ever received Bulgaria Air flight cancellation compensation? Do you still have questions about Bulgaria Air compensation claim procedures and policies? Ask in the comments.