British Airways apologizes after computer glitch causes global delays

LONDON – British Airways travellers are suffering delays globally due to a computer glitch in the check-in systems, the latest in a string of technical failures to hit major international airlines.

Travellers took to social media to complain of long lines and the airline said “a number” of airports were affected.

According to tracking service Flightaware, 157 BA flights were delayed, or 17 per cent of its total flights, and five were cancelled as of midday in London.

READ MORE: Delta cancels 400 flights as computer troubles continue; thousands stranded

“We’ve been in line for three hours,” Erik Blangsted, told KGO-TV as he waited for his flight at San Francisco International Airport. “We’ve talked to the people who’ve offered us some cold water and some chips – and sympathy.”

The airline apologized and said passengers are now being checked in at Heathrow and Gatwick Airports but that the process may be “a bit slower than usual.”

BA had to apologize already in July after computer glitches in check-in systems also delayed passengers. It began installing new systems last October and completed the rollout earlier this year.

The company, which is part of the International Consolidated Airlines Group SA, says it would “encourage customers to check in online before they reach the airport.”

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The airline’s problems come barely a month after U.S. carrier Delta Air Lines Inc. suffered a global outage that caused it to cancel 2,300 flights, costing it $100 million in lost revenue.

A fire and failure of a piece of equipment at Delta’s Atlanta headquarters on Aug. 8 had caused a massive outage of the airline’s computer systems, leading to three days of heavy cancellations and delays.