Dealing with flight issues can be very annoying. However, the bright side is that the European Union has regulations to help travelers when things get messed up. If you’re taking a plane in the EU, it’s a good idea to be aware of these regulations. They can help you out if your flight is disrupted.
Knowing what you’re entitled to can make dealing with travel complications less stressful. While it won’t get you to your destination quicker, it can make you more relaxed when things get disrupted.
Passenger Rights under EU Regulation 261/2004
EU air passengers are protected if their flight experiences difficulties. EU laws make sure airlines take care of their passengers when things go wrong.
When flights are delayed or cancelled, airlines must offer you:
- Refreshments and snacks
- A hotel room if you’re stuck overnight
- Transportation to and from the hotel
- Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes
If you’re delayed for a long time or your flight is cancelled, you might also be entitled to:
- A refund
- An alternative flight
- Compensation to make up for the inconvenience
Don’t forget to ask airline workers about these things if your plans change. They must tell you about your rights when there’s a significant delay or cancellation.
Bulgaria Air Flight Delay Compensation
Delays with flights from Bulgaria Air can be really annoying. However there’s a bright side: if you’re stuck waiting for more than three hours due to the airline’s fault, you might be able to get some compensation.
Regulations in the UK and EU are in your favor. You could be eligible for up to €600 per person. What counts is when you reach your destination, not when you leave. So monitor your arrival time if you want to seek flight delay compensation.
The amount you receive depends on how far you’re flying. A brief trip won’t be compensated as highly as a long one, even if they’re both delayed the same amount of time.
Want to know exactly how much you could get? Take a look at the table below to see what compensation you could receive:
| Less than 3 hours | Between 3-4 hours | Over 4 hours | Distance |
| €0 | €250 | €250 | All flights up to 1500 km |
| €0 | €400 | €400 | All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km |
| €0 | €400 | €400 | All intra-EU flights over 3500 km |
| €0 | €300 | €600 | All non-EU flights over 3500 km |
Bulgaria Air Flight Cancellation Compensation
The European Union has laws to help you if your flight is cancelled. Here’s what you should know:
In the event of a flight cancellation less than two weeks before you’re supposed to leave, you could be eligible for compensation up to €600. But keep in mind – the airline can avoid paying if they rebook you on a different flight that doesn’t mess up your plans too much.
The airline may not need to compensate you if they offer you a new flight that meets the following conditions:
| Advance Notice | Re-routing Requirements |
| 14 Days | None |
| 7 – 13 Days | Alternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flight |
| Less than 7 Days | Alternative flight departing no more than 1 hour before and arriving less than 2 hours after the original flight |
If you agree to take an alternative flight from the airline, you’re still eligible for compensation. What matters most is when you reach your final destination.
The amount you could receive depends on two factors:
- How far you’re flying
- The time difference between the scheduled and actual arrival
So, even if the new flight doesn’t get there on time, you may still receive some compensation.
Check out the following table for more information:
| Under 2 hours | 2-3 hours | 3-4 hours | Over 4 hours | Never arrived | Distance |
| €125 | €250 | €250 | €250 | €250 | All flights 1,500 km or less |
| €200 | €200 | €400 | €400 | €400 | Internal EU flights over 1,500 km |
| €200 | €200 | €400 | €400 | €400 | Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km- 3,500 km |
| €300 | €300 | €300 | €600 | €600 | Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km |
The airline may not need to compensate you if they can provide a transfer to your destination, close to the original schedule. Even if you arrive shortly after the scheduled time, you might not be entitled to flight cancellation compensation.
How to Claim Compensation from Bulgaria Air
It’s essential to understand the process of claiming the compensation you’re entitled to under EU Regulation 261/2004. Here’s the process:
- Complete our form. You’ll need to provide details like your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We are well-versed in the EU laws comprehensively and will do our best to secure your compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.
Remember that you’re entitled as a passenger to claim compensation for a cancelled or delayed flight. No matter whether your flight was delayed due to operational issues or mechanical problems, if it was not caused by extraordinary circumstances including severe weather or air traffic control decisions, you have a right to compensation.
Which Bulgaria Air Flights are Covered by EU261?
The EU’s air passenger protection laws are comprehensive in scope. They apply to every flight leaving an airport within an EU country and any flight coming into a European Union member state airport when an EU-based airline operates the flight.
| Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
| Flights departing EU airports | ✅ Covered |
| Flights arriving at EU airports | ✅ Covered |
These laws also include airlines from Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland. This means if you’re traveling with any airline to, from, or within Europe, you likely have these rights. It’s important to be aware of these regulations – they exist to support you if something goes wrong with your flight. They guarantee you’re not left on your own when your travel plans fall through.
When You Are Not Entitled to Compensation
Bulgaria Air isn’t necessarily responsible when flights are delayed or cancelled. Occasionally, events occur that the airline has no control over, like severe weather conditions or unexpected problems.
For example, if there’s a sudden storm, an urgent situation at the airport, or a strike by air traffic controllers, Bulgaria Air isn’t responsible. These are called “extraordinary circumstances” that the airline is unable to prevent.
When these things happen, you probably won’t get any compensation. The airline isn’t seen as doing anything wrong when these unforeseen difficulties occur.