Bulgaria Air flight delay compensation.
How to claim for delayed flight? And how much can you get?
If your Bulgaria Air flight is delayed, you might be entitled to compensation. There are certain situations when you can get compensation from the airline. It doesn’t matter how much did your ticket cost, or whether or not you have travel insurance. Your age and nationality also doesn’t matter. Because all passengers in the EU are protected under the law. And Bulgaria Air has to follow these laws. How to claim compensation for a delayed flight?
One of the options is to let professionals deal with this.
Or, you can pursue flight delay compensation on your own.
Bulgaria Air – The Flag Carrier Airline of Bulgaria
Bulgaria Air is the national flag carrier airline of Bulgaria, headquartered at Sofia Airport in Sofia. Its focus cities are Burgas and Varna. Established in 2002, the airline offers flights to various destinations in Europe and the Middle East. Bulgaria Air is certified as a 3-star airline for the quality of its service.
Bulgaria Air has codeshare agreements with several large airlines such as Aegean Airlines, KLM, Air France, Qatar Airways and Iberia.
1. Bulgaria Air Flight Delay Compensation: EU Regulations
Overall, the EU flight delay compensation rules are simple.
Your flight is eligible to compensation if it lands 3+ hours later than scheduled, and this delay is due to the fault of the airline.
If you’re flying to or from Europe, your flight is delayed for 3 or more hours, and the delay is due to the fault of Bulgaria Air, you are eligible to compensation of up to €600.
Could you be entitled to Bulgaria Air flight delay compensation?
Yes, if:
- It’s a 3+ hour delay;
- It’s due to the fault of Bulgaria Air;
- Flight is to/from Europe.
So, all the above mentioned rules apply to all Bulgaria Air delays and cancellations.
If you are flying with a non-EU airline (Qatar Airways, Qantas, American Airlines, Turkish Airlines, etc.), it applies only to flights departing from the EU.
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
There are situations when you aren’t eligible for compensation.
Flights delayed due to “extraordinary circumstances” are not eligible to compensation.
Extraordinary circumstances are events that are out of the airline’s control. Bad weather, natural disaster, cilvil unrest, acts of terrorism, security risks, political unrest, just to name a few. If your flight is delayed to to any of these reasons, you can’t get flight delay compensation from Bulgaria Air. The airline has no control over such events, so it’s not liable to pay compensation.
What if your flight is delayed due to technical problem? Does your flight qualify for compensation? Yes, it might. If your flight is delayed for 3+ hours due to a technical problem, it might.
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.
Are you claiming compensation on your own? Remember, that not always airlines are telling the real reason for delay. Always double check what you’re told.
To avoid paying compensation, airlines often don’t tell the right reason for delay, and wrongly deny compensation claims. This is done to avoid financial losses because airlines lose a lot of money when they pay compensation to affected passengers. Always ask for proof and don’t back down, be persistent.
If this sounds like a hassle, work with a flight compensation company. They can check your flight and claim compensation on your behalf. Our partners offer such services.
1.2 How to Calculate the Delay Time?
What really matters is the time of arrival to your destination.
Yes, arrival time, not departure time. It applies both to single flights and connecting flights. If you have a connecting flight, calculate the delay time at your final destination (final stop), not somewhere in between.
Flight delay time is calculated based on the actual time of arrival to your destination, specifically, when the doors of the airplane are opened. If the doors are opened 3 or more hours after the original arrival time, you can get compensation. Keep in mind that you can’t calculate the delay time based on the time of departure.
1.3 Right to Care
In Europe you also have a right to care.
Is your flight delayed for 3 or more hours, and you are stuck at the airport? The EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 states that passengers stranded at the airport have a right to receive care from the airline. What does this mean for you as a passenger?
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 the flight is delayed overnight, you should be offered accommodation and transportation from and to the airport as well. In Europe all passengers are eligible for this type of care from the airline.
2. How to Claim Bulgaria Air Compensation For Delayed Flight?
How to claim flight delay compensation Bulgaria Air owes you?
There are two ways you can do it online.
One of the options is to contact Bulgaria Air yourself. Write an email to Bulgaria Air customer support center or use the contact form provided on the website of Bulgaria Air. Request compensation, referring to Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. Give all the details about your flight. Make sure you mention why your flight was delayed, and how long was the delay. Keep in mind that it might take a while until the airline gets back to you.
The second option is — legal representation.
It’s the easiest of the two options.
Fill in and sign one form. The rest is done by a team of legal professionals. If the airline refuses to cooperate and pay compensation, the company will deal with this. You won’t have to negotiate with the airline. Our partners offer such services.
When choosing this option, here is all you will have to do:
And that’s it — the rest is handled by professionals.
* Your boarding pass and passport or ID copy.
Read more:
- How to Claim Bulgaria Air Compensation?
- Bulgaria Air Missed Connection Compensation
- Is Your Bulgaria Air Flight Compensation Claim Denied? What’s Next?
2.1 How Long Does It Take?
How long does it take to receive Bulgaria Air flight delay compensation?
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. A few months even. It depends on the airline. If the airline wrongly refuses your claim, you might need to take additional steps to get compensation from the airline.
If this sounds like a hassle, work with a claim compensation company.
3. How Much Can You Claim?
The compensation amount is fixed and range from €250 to €600.
How to calculate your Bulgaria Air delayed flight compensation?
Use this simple flight delay compensation calculator.
When your destination is within the EU/UK:
€250
If the distance of your flight is
up to 1,500 km
€400
If the distance of your flight is between 1,500 – 3,500 km
When your destination is outside the EU/UK:
€250
If the distance of your flight is
up to 1,500 km
€400
If the distance of your flight is between 1,500 – 3,500 km
€600
If the distance of your flight is more than 3,500 km
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?
You might be offered a voucher or coupon instead of compensation.
If Bulgaria Air offers you a voucher instead of compensation, you don’t have to agree to it. Normally, in the European Union, airline compensations and refunds are paid in cash or by bank transfer.
So ask for money (bank transfer) instead.
Read more: Your Bulgaria Air Flight Is Delayed. Should You Wait at Home?
Bulgaria Air Flight Delay Compensation: FAQ
My flight was cheap. Can I get compensation if it was cheap?
If your flight is eligible, the yes.
The price of the ticket doesn’t matter. It doesn’t affect your chances of getting compensation. Neither does it affect the compensation amount.
Do I need to provide travel insurance papers in order to claim compensation?
Do I need to have insurance to get compensation?
No. If your flight is eligible to compensation, you don’t need to have insurance to get this compensation. No-one is going to ask for any insurance papers.
Can children get compensation from Bulgaria Air?
Are you traveling with a child/baby?
Can your child get compensation? Yes!
If you are entitled to compensation, then your child/baby will get it, too. Even infants who have a special infant ticket can get compensation. Both of you will get the same amount — if you are entitled to compensation of 600 euro, your child will be too.
Can I claim compensation for my friend, relative or family member?
Yes, you can.
Even if you weren’t on that flight yourself.
They will need to provide you with a boarding pass and passport copy. Also they might need to sign a couple of forms.
Can I get compensation for old flights?
It depends on the laws of the country.
In many European countries you might get compensation for old flights. If your flight was disrupted due to the airline’s fault 2-3 years ago, you might get compensation for that flight. Make a compensation claim with the airline. Or work with a flight compensation claim company to check your flight, and, possibly, get flight compensation.
What to do if Bulgaria Air is refusing to pay compensation?
Bulgaria Air is refusing to pay compensation even though you are entitled to it.
There are two ways how you can proceed. The best option is to hand over your case to a flight compensation company. They will finish the process on your behalf.
Or you could contact the respective national enforcement body (NEB) and ask them to help solve your case. There are national enforcement bodies in all the EU Member states.
EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists
I’m flying to the EU from a country outside the EU. Can I get compensation?
Is it a Bulgaria Air flight?
If yes, then you are protected under the EU law on all of its flights. Even on those which depart from a country outside the EU. If your Bulgaria Air flight is eligible to compensation, you can get compensation, even if your flight departed from a country outside the EU.
I’m flying from the EU to a country outside the EU. Can I get compensation?
Is it a Bulgaria Air flight?
If yes, then you are protected under the EU law on all of its flights.
I am not a citizen of the EU/UK/EEA. Can I get compensation?
Yes. You nationality doesn’t matter.
If your flight is eligible to compensation, you will get this compensation, no matter your nationality. The Regulation 261/2004 protect all passengers — tourists from overseas and Europeans alike.
Other Situations
Bulgaria Air booked me on a new flight and provided me with a free hotel stay. Can I still get compensated for my disrupted flight?
Yes.
If your flight is eligible for compensation, you can get it even if the airline booked you on a new flight and provided you with a free hotel stay. Accepting these services doesn’t affect your chances of getting the compensation.
Bulgaria Air took me to my destination. Can I still get compensation?
You might.
If you arrived at least 3 hours later than scheduled, and the delay/cancellation was due to the fault of the airline, you can get compensation. Accepting the free replacement flight doesn’t affect your chances of getting the compensation.
What is your experience? Have you ever received Bulgaria Air flight delay compensation? Do you still have questions about Bulgaria Air compensation claim procedures and policies? Ask in the comments.