Passengers claim they have been stuck on holiday without vital medication and with just their underwear after British Airways left their bags behind.
Hundreds of passengers flying to and from London Heathrow yesterday experienced long delays and found themselves separated from their luggage.
Those lucky enough to get through the throngs of miserable passengers were those aboard the British Airways flight to Singapore, which eventually took off following a delay.
They were less happy with their lot when they arrived in the Asian country to discover their bags had been left back in West London.
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To make matters worse, some passengers have claimed the airline's staff had asked them to check their hand-luggage, meaning they were left 6,700miles from home with little more than the clothes on their backs.
Marcus Houston made the trip as part of a "dream 50th birthday" with his two parents.
He told the Mirror: "They made me check my hand luggage as the flight was so full, so I literally have a pair of pants and the socks and toothbrush they give you on board. Despite relentless calls and emails still no word at all even acknowledging the whereabouts of my bags. Or my elderly parents' medications."
Marcus said he found the way passengers had been treated was "disgusting".
Robert Spolander was on the same flight with his wife and three-month-old baby, and has found himself in Singapore without formula for the tot and his medication.
"Last night I bought some shorts, underwear and a couple of t-shirts but today we have to shop for much more," the customer service team leader told The Mirror.
"I have Type 2 diabetes and the majority of my metformin is in the case. We are also running out of formula for the baby.
"I won’t get it out here as it’s prescription based. We will need a range of items for our daughter let alone for ourselves."
The Londoner said he was particularly frustrated by the "radio silence" from BA.
"When I run out of my tablets my holiday will basically be a wash out as I’ll not have the energy or health to enjoy it to the full," he continued.
"I know this might sound silly but I work bloody hard and this is my well-earned break."
Yesterday British Airways apologised for the disruption, blaming the delays on French Air Traffic Control strikes and adverse weather conditions.
Today a spokesperson said in a statement: "As a result of the continued adverse winter weather conditions around the UK, some of our customers' baggage on the BA11 from London Heathrow to Singapore on Saturday was delayed.
"We’re really sorry for the inconvenience caused and the bags were put on the next available flight."
A spokesperson for Heathrow said: "BA experienced operational challenges yesterday evening which resulted in passengers not flying with their baggage."
