Bulgaria Air: Compensation for delayed flight, cancellation, denied boarding
How to claim Bulgaria Air compensation online?
Bulgaria Air is the national carrier of Bulgaria, offering flights to over 70 destinations across Europe and beyond. Established in 2002, the airline has grown significantly since then and now operates a fleet of more than 30 airplanes. Here, in this guide, we are going to talk about your rights when flying with Bulgaria Air - what happens when your flight gets cancelled or delayed?
How to claim Bulgaria Air flight delay compensation?
How to claim Bulgaria Air cancellation compensation?
Check your compensation online!
Or continue reading to learn more about your rights.
Here are 5 main topics that we will focus on:
1. How to claim Bulgaria Air flight delay compensation?
2. How to claim Bulgaria Air flight cancellation compensation?
3. How to claim Bulgaria Air denied boarding compensation?
4. What to do if your flight is delayed?
5. What to do if your flight is cancelled?
UK / EU air passenger rights
Air passenger rights are almost identical in the EU, EEA and UK.
That's why we may refer to them simply as European air passenger rights, and use terms like European flight compensation and European flight compensation regulation. We may also use a word "Europe" to refer to this whole region, where the flight compensation regulations EC 261/2004 and UK261 are in effect.
- With European airlines these rules apply to all flights to and from Europe
- With non-European airlines - flights departing from Europe
1. Bulgaria Air compensation: How to claim Bulgaria Air flight delay compensation?
There are two conditions that should be met.
Conditions:
- It must be fault of Bulgaria Air
- Delay must be 3+ hours
If this is what happened with your flight, you may have a right to EU flight delay compensation. If you file a claim for compensation, you may receive up to 600 euro per passenger. There are two options how to claim Bulgaria Air compensation for flight delay.
1. You can do it all on your own.
This is the time-consuming, but free option.
Message or call Bulgaria Air. Tell them you had a problem with a flight. Refer to the Regulation EC 261/2004. Before you do that, check out this article, where we talk about different ways how airlines try to avoid paying passengers flight compensation. It will help you to be better prepared.
Contact us for legal help with Bulgaria Air claims.
2. You can hand the case over to us.
This is the easy option, a shortcut as many like to call it.
You work with professionals. We offer such a service. You fill in a compensation claim form, and we do the rest on your behalf. In this case, we, as a company, are your legal representatives.
In this case, everything is handled by professionals.
When working with us, here is all you will have to do:
- Go to this page;
- Fill in the details about yourself and your flight;
- Upload your boarding pass and passport copy;
- Sign the claim online.
That is all from you. We will do the rest.
Learn more about EU flight delay compensation.
- How long does it take?
2-3 months if things go well and there are no problems.
4-6 months, sometimes more, if the case has to be taken to court. To speed up the process, we have partnered up with local law agencies in countries all around the world. We have found trustworthy partners who help us deal with these things faster.
- How far back can you claim flight delay compensation?
In Europe the average is around 3 years.
That means you can get a compensation for flights that are up to 3 years old. In some countries this number is smaller than 3 years. In any case, if you work with us, it isn’t your thing to deal with — we know the laws and we do the checking completely for free. If it turns out that your flight is too old, you don’t pay anything for that.
To sum it up — yes, you can get compensation for old flights.
- Does it apply only to citizens of the European Union?
No, and that’s the best part about these regulations.
These regulations they protect all air passengers. If you are from India, Singapore or Brazil, you have the same rights as all other passengers on Bulgaria Air flights. You don't have to be European to have these rights.
- How much can you claim?
The longer the flight, the more you can claim for delay.
Mostly the amounts are between 250 to 600 euro per passenger.
These amounts are the same for all passengers travelling on the same flight. No matter the nationality, airline you are flying with, price of the ticket or travel insurance. In the EU and UK, even infants can receive full flight compensation.
2. Bulgaria Air compensation: How to claim Bulgaria Air flight cancellation compensation?
There are two conditions that should be met.
Conditions:
- It must be fault of Bulgaria Air
- It must be a last-minute flight cancellation
If a flight is cancelled not more than 14 days before the planned date of departure, then it’s considered a last-minute cancellation, and you have a right to EU flight cancellation compensation. There are two options how to claim Bulgaria Air compensation for cancellation.
1. You can do it all on your own.
It is easy? No, often it isn’t easy to claim on your own.
Is it doable? Absolutely, as long as you don’t give up. The latter is the most important, in order to succeed you have to keep fighting for your rights. First step — contact Bulgaria Air and register your compensation claim. Look for up-to-date information on their website.
Contact us for legal help with Bulgaria Air claims.
2. You can hand the case over to us.
This is the easy way out — one-step solution.
Legally this option is called legal representation. In this case, everything is done by professionals. Our legal experts work with these claims 24/7.
When working with us, here is all you will have to do:
- Go to this page;
- Fill in the details about yourself and your flight;
- Upload your boarding pass and passport copy;
- Sign the claim online.
We will do the rest.
Learn more about EU flight cancellation compensation.
- How long does it take?
In our experience, the average with Bulgaria Air is around 3 months.
That’s also about the industry average number. But there is one but — that’s assuming that things go smoothly and there is no need to go to court. If there is a need to go to court, it automatically adds around 2-3 months (preparing paperwork, going to court, getting the money).
- How far back can you claim flight cancellation compensation?
In Europe you can claim flight cancellation compensation for up to 3 years.
But you should know that these rules differ from country to country. While in some countries 3 is okay, in others you have these same rights only for up to 2 years after the date of flight cancellation. When in doubts, register the flight with us, and we’ll check it.
- Does it apply only to citizens of the European Union?
No, it applies to all passengers of the same flight.
European flight compensation regulations apply to all passengers in the same way. Your nationality is of no weight when it comes to flight delays, cancellations and overbooking. You don't have to be a citizen of the EU, EEA or UK to have these rights.
- How much can you claim?
The amounts are regulated by the above mentioned regulations.
Here is how much you can claim for your flight:
- €250 — if the distance of your flight is up to 1500 kilometres;
- €400 — if the distance is between 1500 to 3500 kilometres;
- €600 — if the distance is more than 3500 kilometres.
These amounts are per passenger.
They are the same for all passengers.
3. How to claim Bulgaria Air denied boarding compensation?
You may get denied boarding even if you have a valid ticket.
It may happen if the airline has sold too many tickets. Whenever you are denied boarding against your will, you have a right to EU denied boarding compensation.
With Bulgaria Air it applies to all their flights to and from Europe.
Compensation amounts are fixed — 250, 400 or 600 euro.
In these situations, mostly you can get both:
- new flight to destination or refund
- denied boarding compensation
It applies only to overbooking. If there are problems with your travel documents or visa, or your passport expires soon, you can’t get denied boarding compensation. You also won’t be entitled to denied boarding compensation if you voluntarily give up your seat, and agree to fly later.
Check your compensation online!
Learn more about EU denied boarding compensation.
3.1 Why does overbooking happen?
Overbooking happens when airlines and other travel providers book more seats than they have available on a flight or other service. This practice is used in order to fill as many seats as possible and maximize profits. When overbooked, the airline will often offer incentives to let passengers give up their seat, such as offering alternative flights or credit towards future flights.
3.2 Voluntary vs involuntary denied boarding
What’s the difference between voluntary and involuntary denied boarding?
There are situations when you aren’t given any choice. This type of boarding denial is considered " involuntary boarding denial," and you always have a right to denied boarding compensation. As long as your travel papers are all good and you did not do anything wrong.
You may also decide to volunteer and fly later. Sometimes it just makes a lot of sense. If you ask nicely, a gate agent may give you free money for switching to a different flight. This free money can help save you money on your journey! And you get it right away, unlike the UK/EU denied boarding compensation for which you have to wait for months.
The latter is called "voluntary denied boarding" (if you decide to volunteer). In this case, you won’t be entitled to denied boarding compensation from Bulgaria Air.
4. What to do if your flight is DELAYED?
Your flight is delayed. What should you do?
Air travel can be tricky. Flights can get delayed sometimes. It is important to know what to do when your flight gets delayed so you don't have too much trouble. Here are some tips on how to handle a flight delay and get back on track quickly!
4.1 If you are still at home
Are you still at home or hotel?
If check in is going to be delayed, wait for a while.
If check in isn't delayed, go to the airport as normally.
Do you have another flight you may miss?
There are two most likely scenarios. If it’s an airline-protected connecting flight, you are protected. The airline will take care of you. If necessary you will be put on another flight completely for free. If it’s a separately booked flight, this is your responsibility. Flights like the latter are called self-transfer flights.
4.2 If you are already at the airport
You have already arrived to the airport.
If check in hasn’t started, for now just wait.
Why? You don’t know what’s happening with your flight. What if Bulgaria Air cancels a flight? It may happen, and then your ticket won’t be valid anymore. So, first, just wait until the check in starts — mostly it’s a safe sign that you can proceed.
If check in has started, that’s a good sign.
Not in 100%, but mostly it is a good sign. If the check in has started, mostly your flight is going to happen. Whenever it is happening, you can proceed as normally — check in and go to the gate.
- 3 hour flight delay
Bulgaria Air is a European airline.
And that means you are protected by the EU.
By protection we mean that apart from the right to compensation, you may also have a right to certain services for free. If you have to wait, you may have a right to care from the airline. After around 3 hours of waiting, Bulgaria Air has to provide you with two free phone calls or e-mails (or internet access) and also a free meal and drink.
This applies to all Bulgaria Air flights to and from Europe.
All thanks to Regulation EC 261/2004.
- Long delay (Overnight delay)
If the delay is longer, you may also get a hotel room.
Bulgaria Air has to offer you free hotel room and free transfer.
Everyone has the right to this type of care.
4.3 If it is the fault of Bulgaria Air
It includes things like technical problems and staff shortage.
You may also be entitled to EU flight delay compensation.
Have you experienced a flight delay?
If you have — file a compensation claim.
4.4 Why do flights get delayed?
Here are some of the top reasons why flights get delayed.
5. What to do if your flight is CANCELLED?
Your flight is cancelled. What should you do?
Will you get a new flight to your destination? Will Bulgaria Air give you a free flight? In what type of situations can you ask for compensation from Bulgaria Air?
5.1 If you are still at home
You need to find out what’s happening next.
Contact Bulgaria Air, if they haven’t yet contacted you.
Broadly speaking, in the EU and with EU registered airlines everything is simple. Because of how regulated are these things in Europe. Here is how it usually works — an airline offers you a new flight or refund, and you make a choice. You choose the best option from the two. Don’t forget that you can always ask for a refund, if you don’t want to fly anymore (or on the flight the airline is offering you right now). European regulations give you this right.
If it’s fault of the airline, you may have a right to compensation.
Scroll back to learn more about compensation.
5.2 If you are already at the airport
Don’t go through the airport security.
This is very important. It will save you time. Because, you see, your ticket isn’t valid anymore. Your flight is cancelled, and you have to get a new ticket. To get the new ticket, you have to contact the airline and talk through the options that you have. So, yes — do not proceed through the airport security for now. Contact the representatives of Bulgaria Air first.
Ask for a refund, if you don’t want to take the new flight.
- 3 hour flight delay
Bulgaria Air is an airline registered in the EU.
And that means you are protected by the EU.
If you have to spend more time at the airport than planned, you have a right to care from them. The same rules apply to waiting at the airport due to flight delays, flight cancellations and overbooking. The airline has to provide you with two free phone calls or e-mails (or internet access) and also a free meal and drink.
Cancellations due to extraordinary circumstances?
This applies to all flight cancellations of Bulgaria Air.
All thanks to European flight compensation regulations.
- Long delay (Overnight delay)
In this case, you have a right to free accommodation.
Free hotel accommodation and free transfer has to be offered. It is airline's responsibility, and every passenger has a right to this type of care. However, it’s assessed case by case. And the airline may decide not to provide that. If, for example, the waiting time is 6 hours, and it would take 2-3 hours to take everyone to a hotel.
5.3 If it is the fault of Bulgaria Air
That includes things like technical problems and bad planning.
If that causes a cancellation, it is considered fault of the airline.
And you may also be entitled to EU flight cancellation compensation.
Have you experienced a flight cancellation?
If you have — file a compensation claim.
5.4 Why do flights get cancelled?
Here are some of the top reasons why flights get cancelled.
By Europe and EU we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin, the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
Remember, whenever your Bulgaria Air flight is delayed, cancelled or you have been denied boarding — you might be entitled to flight compensation. File a claim to get it sorted out right away!