HOLIDAYMAKERS were left fuming after huge piles of stranded luggage sparked chaos at Heathrow Airport.
Shocking photos showed mountains of bags, suitcases and travel essentials abandoned across Terminal 5.
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Hundreds of bags were stuck in Terminal 5 when the baggage claim system went down Credit: Bishopp-pr.co.uk
A long line of baggage had built up at Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 reclaim area Credit: Bishopp-pr.co.uk
Passengers claimed they waited up to five hours for their bags, while others were told to go home empty-handed.
The chaos reportedly ensued after a “technical fault” hit the British Airways‘ baggage operations at Terminal 5.
It is understood to have affected both inbound and outbound passengers.
One furious traveller wrote on X: “British Airways really disappointing with arriving back to T5 and total chaos at baggage arrivals.
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The chaos reportedly ensued after a “technical fault” hit the British Airways’ baggage operations Credit: Bishopp-pr.co.uk
Holidaymakers were left ‘furious’ amid the chaos Credit: Bishopp-pr.co.uk
British Airways has apologised for the inconvenience caused to passengers Credit: AFP
Just days before the baggage issue a car park at Heathrow Airport flooded Credit: ACN / UB1UB2
“Families waiting hours and told to go home as baggage abandoned all over airport.”
Another branded the situation “an absolute joke”, writing: “Flight landed at 10:35 was delayed from getting of the plane for 30 minutes.
“To then arrive at baggage reclaim waited 3 hours and two belt changes to be then told all the staff have gone home and you can’t get your baggage.”
A third traveller blasted the delays as “completely unacceptable”.
They wrote: “My elderly mother and sister are there and being told of a five hour delay – in an area with no seats or access to food or drink.”
Airport staff were later seen handing out bottles of water to stranded passengers.
Another X user said: “No staff available to advise, baggage system failure – five hours waiting with no luggage or updates.
“Gave up and went home. Lack of communication frustrating – passengers deserve clear info on timings.”
One passenger travelling to the US added: “Caught up in the luggage chaos at Heathrow yesterday and now in Boston without my luggage…Air tag shows case still at Terminal 5. Why is nothing being done?”
It is understood Heathrow Airport is responsible for outbound baggage, while airlines handle inbound luggage after flights land.
Inbound bags are removed from aircraft by airline ground handlers before being taken to reclaim halls for passengers.
A Heathrow spokesperson said: “Due to a technical fault yesterday, some baggage did not depart Terminal 5 as planned and we apologise for any disruption this may have caused.
“The issue has been fixed and passengers are checking in as normal today.
“We will continue to support British Airways to ensure any missed bags are resent as quickly as possible.”
A British Airways spokesperson said: “Whilst Heathrow Airport’s baggage system is back up and running, there is an ongoing impact on our customers as we work hard to get their luggage to them as quickly as possible.
“Whilst this issue is entirely out of our control, we’re sorry to our customers for any inconvenience caused.”
It remains unclear how many travellers were caught up in the disruption, though thousands are feared to have been affected.
Just two days earlier at Heathrow Airport, flooding in the car park wreaked chaos for holidaymakers.
A sea of motors were pictured underwater after the travel hub’s passenger and staff car parks flooded.
Shocking footage circulating on social media showed the car park and adjacent road completely inundated.
At its deepest, the water level can be seen reaching as high as the headlights and completely submerging their wheels.
London Heathrow is the UK’s largest and busiest airport and handles over 84 million passengers a year.
