Bulgaria Air Flight Delay Compensation

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.

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:

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?

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

EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists

Other Situations

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.