Bulgaria Air compensation: how to claim
Bulgaria Air is registered in Bulgaria, so it counts as an EU carrier and its flights are covered in both directions.
- Registered in
- Bulgaria (EU carrier)
- Main bases
- Sofia (SOF)
- Typical first response
- About 50 days
- Time limit where it is based
- Depends where you claim
Bulgaria Air is registered in Bulgaria, so it counts as an EU carrier and its flights are covered in both directions.
- Departing an EU airport: covered by EU261.
- Departing a UK airport: covered by UK261.
- Arriving in the EU from outside Europe: covered by EU261, because Bulgaria Air is an EU carrier.
- Arriving in the UK from outside Europe: covered by UK261, which also protects arrivals on EU carriers.
How Bulgaria Air handles claims
A small carrier operating mostly Sofia to Western European capitals, largely in the 1,500–3,500 km band.
Low frequencies mean a cancellation often results in a next-day departure or a re-route via another hub, which is where the Article 7(2) halving rule can apply.
Bulgaria applies EU261 in full to departures from Sofia on any airline, including foreign low-cost carriers.
Expect slow responses and be prepared to escalate to the Bulgarian civil aviation authority.
What a delay on Bulgaria Air is worth
| Route | Distance | Rules | Per passenger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sofia (SOF) → Paris (CDG) | 1,754 km | EU261 | €400 |
| Sofia (SOF) → Barcelona (BCN) | 1,765 km | EU261 | €400 |
| Sofia (SOF) → Rome (FCO) | 924 km | EU261 | €250 |
| Sofia (SOF) → Amsterdam (AMS) | 1,753 km | EU261 | €400 |
Amounts are per passenger. The distance is the great-circle distance between the airports, which is what the Regulation uses — not the distance flown.
Claiming from Bulgaria Air, by what happened
- Bulgaria Air: delayCompensation is due when you arrive at your final destination 3 hours or more after the scheduled arrival time.
- Bulgaria Air: cancellationCompensation is due unless you were told at least 14 days before departure, or were told later but re-routed on a flight that fell inside the timing windows set by Article 5(1)(c).
- Bulgaria Air: denied boardingCompensation is due immediately when you are refused boarding against your will — most often because the flight was overbooked — provided you checked in on time with a confirmed reservation.
- Bulgaria Air: missed connectionWhere all your flights were on a single booking, a delay that makes you miss a connection is measured at your final destination.
We draft. You send.
The check is free. If your Bulgaria Air flight appears eligible, the claim letter is £15 flat — you send it to Bulgaria Air yourself and keep the whole payout. If the airline rejects your claim on eligibility grounds, we refund the £15. Forward us their reply and we refund within five working days.
Bulgaria Air: common questions
How much compensation can I get from Bulgaria Air?
It depends on the distance and on which rules apply. Under EU261 it is €250, €400 or €600 per passenger; under UK261 it is £220, £350 or £520. Bulgaria Air is registered in Bulgaria, so it counts as an EU carrier and its flights are covered in both directions.
Does Bulgaria Air have to pay if the delay was caused by a technical problem?
Yes, in almost every case. The Court of Justice has held that technical problems — including sudden, unforeseen faults — are part of the normal running of an airline and are not extraordinary circumstances.
How long do I have to claim against Bulgaria Air?
The limit is set by the country where you bring the claim, which is usually where your flight departed or arrived. In England and Wales it is six years; in most EU countries between two and five.
Where do I send a claim to Bulgaria Air?
Bulgaria Air takes claims through an online form, and the postal address is Bulgaria Air, Customer Relations, Sofia Airport, 1540 Sofia, Bulgaria. Check the address on the airline’s website before posting — claims departments move.
Can I claim for an old Bulgaria Air flight?
Very often, yes. Most people do not realise claims last several years. Every disrupted flight is a separate claim, for every passenger on the booking.