What caused the backlog?

The huge volume of luggage that passengers were forced to check in because of the restrictions on hand luggage introduced on August 10. Many of these items were much smaller and less robust than the suitcases usually checked in and caused airport baggage systems to break down temporarily.

When will I get my bag back?

British Airways said this afternoon that there were just a few hundred bags remaining at Heathrow. Other airports had suffered backlogs but none as substantial as Heathrow, said the airline. “We have a large number of volunteers in addition to a maximum number of baggage handlers working around the clock to clear the backlog,” said a BA spokeswoman. “We have organised a number of articulated lorries to deliver bags back to customers in cities across the UK and Europe. We are also looking at loading as many delayed bags from the past four days on every single flight leaving Heathrow.”

The airline is also using FedEx to send bags to Europe and the US. BA says that all of the bags will be en route to their owners by this evening.

My bag is damaged. Can I get any compensation for it?

Many people who have been reunited with their luggage have said the bags or their contents have been damaged. Airlines are bound by the so-called Montreal Convention, which was implemented by the UK Government in 2002. This covers death or injury to international airline passengers but also extends to damage and loss of baggage. The Convention sets a limit of around £800 per passenger for lost or damaged baggage but an airline may decline liability if your bag was of poor quality. This may prove to be a sticking point where passengers were forced to check in bags that were not designed for that purpose.

BA’s claim form also states that: “In line with other airlines, we cannot accept claims for damage or loss to items in checked baggage which are fragile, perishable or of special value.” You must make a claim to the airline within seven calendar days of receiving the damaged bag.

What if my bag has been lost?

Chris Shannon from Manchester flew into Heathrow from Hong Kong on Monday. He says: “My suitcase turned up two days later but my rucksack containing everything I need such as contact lenses, clothes, etc along with my PC hard drives, phone, camera, iPod and all record of my year away is yet to turn up. I am gutted, annoyed and frustrated. I would prefer my bag back but if not someone had better be willing to part with some compensatory cash pretty soon and a considerable bit more than a paltry £800.”

Chris may have to wait for some time longer. A bag is only declared lost after 21 days or perhaps sooner if the airline has admitted that it has lost the bag. The airline is unlikely to entertain the claim until 21 days has elapsed.

What should I do if something is missing from my bag?

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