Bulgaria AirFB

Bulgaria Air is the flag carrier of Bulgaria and the country's largest airline. Founded in 2002 as a successor to the defunct Balkan Bulgarian Airlines, the carrier is headquartered in Sofia and operates from its primary hub at Sofia Airport (SOF). Bulgaria Air serves as the main gateway connecting Bulgaria to destinations across Europe and the Middle East.

The airline operates a modern fleet consisting primarily of Airbus A220 and Embraer E190 aircraft, known for fuel efficiency and passenger comfort. Bulgaria Air is not a member of any major airline alliance, though it maintains codeshare partnerships with several European carriers to extend its network reach.

Bulgaria Air is majority-owned by the Bulgarian state through the Bulgarian Aviation Group, reflecting its role as the national carrier. The airline focuses on providing full-service travel with complimentary meals and checked baggage on most fare types, distinguishing itself from the ultra-low-cost carriers that dominate European short-haul travel.

Carry-On Allowance

Cabin Bag (all fare classes):

• Dimensions: 55 x 40 x 23 cm (22 x 16 x 9 in) including handles and wheels
• Weight: 10 kg (22 lbs) maximum
• One cabin bag per passenger

Personal Item (all fare classes):

• Dimensions: 40 x 30 x 10 cm (16 x 12 x 4 in)
• Must fit under seat in front
• Examples: Handbag, laptop bag, small backpack

Fare Class	Cabin Bag	Personal Item
Economy Light	1 x 10 kg	1 included
Economy Standard	1 x 10 kg	1 included
Business Class	1 x 10 kg	1 included

Checked Baggage

Standard Size: 158 cm (62 in) linear maximum (length + width + height)

Checked Bag Allowance by Fare:

Fare	Bags Included	Weight	Purchase Price
Economy Light	0	-	From EUR 30 (~$33)
Economy Standard	1	23 kg (50 lbs)	-
Business Class	2	32 kg (70 lbs) each	-

Where You Buy Matters:

When Purchased	Price
Online (at booking)	EUR 30 (~$33)
Online (after booking)	EUR 35 (~$38)
At airport check-in	EUR 45 (~$49)

Tip: Always add baggage online to save up to EUR 15 compared to airport prices.

Overweight & Oversized Fees

Weight Range	Fee
24-32 kg (53-70 lbs)	EUR 50 (~$55)
Over 32 kg	Not accepted

Size	Fee
Over 158 cm linear	EUR 50 (~$55)

Elite Status Benefits

Fly More program members receive enhanced baggage benefits:

Status	Benefit
Fly More Silver	+1 extra bag (23 kg) on FB flights
Fly More Gold	+1 extra bag (32 kg) on FB flights

Special Items

Item	Fee	Notes
Golf clubs	EUR 50 (~$55)	Per set, each way
Skis/snowboards	EUR 50 (~$55)	Per pair, each way
Bicycle	EUR 60 (~$66)	Must be properly packed
Musical instrument (small)	Free	As carry-on if fits overhead
Musical instrument (large)	Standard bag fee	Hard case required
Car seat	Free	One per child
Stroller	Free	Gate-check available
Wheelchair/mobility aids	Free	-

Fees as of January 2025. Verify at air.bg/baggage before traveling.

Cabin Classes

Bulgaria Air operates a two-class configuration on most aircraft:

Business Class:

• Front cabin with enhanced space and service
• Seat pitch: ~86 cm (34 in)
• Blocked middle seat on some routes (2-2 effective configuration)
• Priority boarding and dedicated overhead bins
• Enhanced meal service with Bulgarian wines
• Complimentary seat selection

Economy Class:

• Standard configuration
• Seat pitch: 76-81 cm (30-32 in) depending on aircraft
• Seat width: ~46 cm (18 in)
• USB charging on A220 aircraft
• Personal device entertainment via streaming

Fleet Configuration

Aircraft	Total Seats	Configuration	Notes
Airbus A220-300	148	Business + Economy	Newest fleet, USB power
Embraer E190	100	Business + Economy	Regional routes

Entertainment

In-Flight Entertainment:

• Free streaming entertainment via personal device on A220 aircraft
• Connect to "Bulgaria Air WiFi" network
• Movies, TV series, music, and flight information
• Download the Bulgaria Air app before boarding

WiFi:

• Available on select A220 aircraft
• Paid service with session-based pricing

Catering

Bulgaria Air offers complimentary meals on all flights, a distinguishing feature among European carriers.

Short-Haul Flights (under 2 hours):

• Complimentary sandwich or pastry
• Hot and cold beverages (including Bulgarian wine)
• Economy and Business Class

Medium-Haul Flights (2+ hours):

• Hot meal with Bulgarian/Mediterranean options
• Full beverage service including local wines
• Sweet treat

Business Class (all flights):

• Multi-course meal service
• Premium Bulgarian wines and spirits
• Hot towel service
• Printed menus

Special Meals:

• Request at least 24 hours before departure
• Options: Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal, kosher
• Available on all international flights

Booking:

• Book directly on air.bg for best service and Fly More earning
• Economy Standard is usually worth the upgrade for checked bag
• Compare total cost with LCCs after adding bags - Bulgaria Air often competitive
• Bulgarian holidays (March 3, May 24) see higher demand on Sofia routes

At the Airport:

• Sofia Terminal 2 is compact and efficient
• Allow extra time during peak summer season
• Use mobile boarding pass to skip kiosk lines
• Business Class lounge access at SOF for Gold members

Baggage:

• Always add bags online (save up to EUR 15)
• 10 kg cabin bag limit is strictly enforced
• Ski and golf equipment popular on winter routes to Sofia

In-Flight:

• Meals are complimentary - a rare feature on European short-haul
• Try Bulgarian wine selections
• Download streaming app before boarding
• A220 aircraft are newest with best amenities

Connections:

• Sofia is not a major hub - limited connection options
• Most routes are point-to-point from Sofia
• Consider Bulgaria Air for direct SOF flights, other carriers for connections
• Codeshare partners extend network reach

Earning Status:

• Fly More thresholds are achievable for regular Sofia travelers
• Focus on Economy Standard or Business for full mile earning
• Program is modest but valuable for frequent Bulgaria travelers

Money-Saving:

• Economy Light only worthwhile for carry-on-only travel
• Compare FB with Wizz Air and Ryanair total costs (including bags)
• Midweek flights typically cheaper
• Book 2-3 weeks ahead for best fares on popular routes

Common Issues:

• Limited frequency on some routes (daily or less)
• Website can be slow during peak booking times
• English customer service available but Bulgarian preferred
• Small fleet means limited rebooking options during disruptions