British Airways passengers flying from Heathrow's Terminal 4 are being told not to bring hold luggage after a failure of the baggage handling system.

Up to 2,000 BA passengers have been affected by the chaos, caused by a software malfunction yesterday, with some passengers unable to fly.

Travellers who have yet to check in at Terminal 4, which handles long-haul BA flights, are being told that they should not bring luggage to be checked in.

The restriction is being imposed on BA's longhaul passengers travelling in its economy and premium economy classes - World Traveller and World Traveller Plus.

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BACKGROUND

• Chaos over baggage rule change

• BA admits baggage charges 'too high'

• Monarch joins the charging crowd

• Insurance claims for lost luggage up by 40%

• Lost luggage auctions: where to find your bag

Related Links

• BA worst in Europe for lost bags and delays

• BA raises longhaul fuel surcharges 10% to £128

• BA hits headwinds as fuel bill tops £2bn

These passengers will be allowed to carry up to two pieces of hand luggage, but these must comply with existing cabin luggage rules, which impose a size limit of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm, maximum weight of 23kg and a ban on all liquids in containers larger than 100ml, which must be carried in a clear re-sealable plastic bag.

Transfer passengers are also being told not to bring hold luggage.

By contrast, passengers travelling in Club World and First are still able to take luggage to be checked in. Those BA passengers unable to travel because of the restrictions are being offered the opportunity to rebook on a BA flight to the original destination, a seat on the closest available flight, a flight to an alternative destination or a refund.

The baggage handling failure is also affecting other airlines that operate from Terminal 4, which include Qantas, KLM and SN Brussels.

A spokeswoman for the airport operator BAA told Times Online that bags were being manually sorted, which led to the delays in baggage handling, but she says the automated system is now up and running, but the knock-on effects will continue to hamper travellers using the terminal today.

Figures released this morning named BA as Europe's second-worst performing airline in 2007 for mishandling luggage, with an average 26.5 bags delayed per 1,000 passengers.

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