BA head back to normality

British Airways (BA) hopes to be operating a normal service by Friday after a week of disruption and cancellations.

Today (Thursday 17th August) BA was expecting to be offering a full long haul service with normal check in times.

There were, however, cancellations on European flights from Heathrow and domestic routes including flights to Berlin, Rome and Aberdeen.

Gatwick was due to be offering a full service from today.

Reports earlier this week of the missing baggage problem that BA was facing has been refuted by the airline, but it admits there is a baggage backlog, particularly at Heathrow.

BA was hoping to have returned a large number of these bags by Thursday, either by road or in cargo planes.

In a statement, BA advised customers: "Arrive at the airport to check in for flights at the normal time before departure - leave enough time as the airport is likely to be very busy.

"Customers travelling from the UK will be able to take on board as hand baggage one cabin bag no bigger than 45cm x 35cm x 16cm, the size of a small laptop bag."

As previously reported, BA is currently seeking compensation from the British Airports Authority (BAA) for the disruption caused.

BA, along with Virgin Atlantic and easyJet, is looking to claim back the millions of pounds lost in earnings for the week of delays and cancellations.