British Airways passengers facing huge delays after worldwide IT glitch crashes check-in system

BRITISH Airways passengers are facing delays and long queues after a global computer error crashed its check-in system causing a massive backlog.

A spokesman has confirmed the problem began at Gatwick Airport before spreading to Heathrow after the company changed its check-in system.

The glitch could affect all of its desks worldwide but has so far only been reported at the two London airports.

A spokesman for the airline said the issue began at around 6.30am today and the system was back up and running two hours later.

Ellie May Quaddy posted: "Classic queue at Gatwick this morning, 45 minutes in and not even half way #neveragain"

Philomena Cahir added: "Except for the endless queues at , same thing happened last year to start our holidays, disaster here this morning."

While freelance journalist Sarah Houlton tweeted: "'Upgraded' T5 baggage handling: 5 rows snaking queue @ Club desk, more into the distance + growing."

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Ian Tracey, who was travelling to Bucharest for a symposium, told The Sun: "The queue was very long. I spent about 45 mins in the queue to the fast track bag drop.

"It appears that the computer system has moved to a new network and it is running slowly.

"The flight was delayed for an hour and I guess the coach will wait for us when we land as we have 20 students from all around Europe coming."

One customer called Erica tweeted the airline giant unhappy that she had travelled in first class on her previous flight but was banned from using the first class check in queue when she arrived at Heathrow on the way back.

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Kym Miller wrote: "Crazy queues at check-in. Thanks British Airways. Please don't ruin my honeymoon."

A spokesman for BA added: "We have now resolved the IT issue which affected some of our check-in and boarding gate systems at a small number of airports.

"The issue lasted some two hours and check-in has resumed as normal and we are sorry for the disruption to our customers' travel plans."

More follows.

Have you been affected by the travel chaos? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368.