After discovering that your Bulgaria Air flight is delayed by checking the flight status online, you may be uncertain about the next steps. Should you proceed to the airport as originally planned, or should you wait at home or your hotel? Flight delays can range from a short 30-minute delay to an extensive 23-hour delay, potentially leaving you stranded at the airport for a significant period. The question arises: Is it necessary to wait at the airport for the entire duration until the airline resolves the situation?
However, in most instances, the answer is relatively simple.
Should You Wait or Proceed as Planned?
Your Bulgaria Air flight is delayed. What to do if your flight is delayed?
As you might already know flight delays can range from a short 30-minute delay to an extensive several-hour long delays, potentially leaving passengers stranded at the airport for a significant period of time.
What should you do if such problem arises? Should you go to the airport?
Well it depends on where are you right now. Are you at home? Or at the airport?
1. You Are at the Gate, Waiting for Your Flight
If you are already at the gate, patiently await further updates on your flight status. Stay informed by listening for announcements and paying attention to any information displayed on the screens.
2. You Are at the Airport but You Haven’t Gone Through Security
If you are at the airport but have not yet proceeded through security, it is advisable to remain at the landside area of the airport (area before the security). Before proceeding, check for any updates regarding the revised check-in time. If the check-in time has been delayed, it is best to hold off on going through security until further notice. If not, you can go through security, as the delay may not be that long.
If you have already completed online check-in, it is still recommended to wait for instructions before proceeding through security.
3. You Are at Home or Hotel
Find out whether check-in has been postponed or not.
Contact Bulgaria Air or check with the airport information desk to determine if the check-in time has been postponed. This information will help guide your next course of action.
If the check-in time has been delayed, you have the flexibility to remain at your current location. There is no need to rush to the airport immediately. Take this opportunity to relax and wait comfortably at your hotel or home until further notice.
In the event that the check-in time remains unchanged, it is advisable to stick to your original plans and proceed to the airport as scheduled. Ensure you allow enough time for travel and check-in procedures.
How to Check Bulgaria Air Flight Status Online?
To conveniently check your Bulgaria Air flight status online, consider the following options:
- Airport website: Visit the website of the airport from where your flight is scheduled to depart. Most airports provide real-time flight information on their websites, allowing you to check the status of your flight.
- Airline website: Visit the official Bulgaria Air website (air.bg) and navigate to the flight information section. There, you can see the current status of your flight.
- Flight trackers: Utilize flight tracking services such as Flightradar24. These platforms offer comprehensive flight information, including real-time updates on departures, arrivals, and any delays or cancellations.
It is advisable to check your flight status online before heading to the airport, especially for early morning flights. By doing so, you can avoid unnecessary inconveniences such as arriving at the airport only to discover a delay or cancellation, resulting in an extended wait time. To optimize your planning, check the status immediately after waking up and again just before leaving your home or hotel to ensure you have the latest information and can adjust your schedule if needed.
Usually travellers find out about the delay:
- By SMS or email notifying of the delay;
- When checking the flight status online;
- Already at the airport, or even at the gate.
What If You Are Going to Miss Connecting Flight?
Your Bulgaria Air flight is delayed, and you have another flight to catch.
If you have a connecting flight with Bulgaria Air, you’re covered in case you miss your connection.
The airline will book you on a new flight. You won’t need to pay for this. In addition to that, you are have a right to care, and in some situations, flight compensation.
But if you have a self-transfer flight, missing your connection is your responsibility, and you’ll need to purchase a new flight. If you have a travel insurance, you may get the money back. But the airline is not responsible for your connection in such cases. However, you can get flight delay compensation / flight cancellation compensation for that particular disrupted flight.
Right to Care at the Airport
When facing flight delays, flight cancellations, or denied boarding, passengers have the right to certain benefits known as the “right to care” at the airport.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Delay during daytime: If your Bulgaria Air flight experiences a relatively short delay of 3 hours or more during daytime hours, Bulgaria Air is obliged to provide you with complimentary food and beverages. Additionally, they should offer two forms of communication, such as phone calls, emails, or faxes, typically facilitated through provided coupons.
- Overnight delay: In the case of an overnight delay, Bulgaria Air is required to provide you with a free hotel accommodation near the airport. They should also arrange transportation to and from the hotel, ensuring a hassle-free experience. Additionally, Bulgaria Air should offer a meal or two at no cost to you.
If you haven’t received any of these benefits, contact Bulgaria Air for assistance.
Could You Be Entitled to Bulgaria Air Flight Delay Compensation?
Indeed, it’s possible to receive Bulgaria Air flight delay compensation.
If the delay on your flight extends beyond three hours, or if your flight is cancelled without a minimum of 14 days’ notice, you may be eligible for a compensation up to 600 euros under EU law. This applies unless the delay or cancellation was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline’s control. The right to compensation is irrespective of the ticket price or nationality of the passenger.
Remember to preserve your boarding pass and other travel documents, as they may be needed when filing for compensation. If you require assistance with the compensation claim process, services are available to guide you in claiming compensation from Bulgaria Air – our partners provide such services (you can use the compensation claim form on this website to make a claim).
Can You Get Flight Delay Compensation in Case of a Bulgaria Air Strike?
Potential delays or cancellations of Bulgaria Air flights due to a strike have two probable scenarios: the strike is either initiated by Bulgaria Air staff or it involves other entities.
In general, if the strike is instigated by airport staff, air traffic control, or if it’s a labor strike that does not directly involve Bulgaria Air, you will likely not be eligible for compensation. These situations are considered extraordinary circumstances, and airlines are typically not held responsible.
However, if the strike involves Bulgaria Air’s own workforce, the airline might be required to provide compensation to passengers. Always verify the specific situations surrounding your delay or cancellation, and carefully validate any information provided by the airline.
Read more: Bulgaria Air Strike Compensation
Can You Get Delay Compensation in Case of Technical Problems with the Airplane?
Yes, if your Bulgaria Air flight is delayed because of technical glitches with the airplane, you may be entitled to flight delay compensation.
Technical issues, in most cases, are not considered extraordinary circumstances.
However, certain exceptions may apply, such as if the technical faults originated from concealed manufacturing defects.
What is your experience with Bulgaria Air flight delays? Have you ever experienced a flight delay with Bulgaria Air? How did the airline resolve the situation?
Featured photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels