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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think British Airways has had a (Russian) cyber attack?

127 replies

Pinotpleasure · 25/02/2022 21:04

I’ve been unable to get onto www.ba.com

I’ve just heard on the radio that the airline’s computer systems are down, Terminal 5 is in chaos and agents are having to manually check passengers in.

Bearing in mind that Aeroflot has been banned from UK airspace (and private planes with Russian owners/passengers also now banned), is it likely that the Russians have made a cyber attack on British Airways?

OP posts:
PriamFarrl · 25/02/2022 22:31

@borntobequiet

It’ll be Mumsnet next. Then what will we all do?
Last time it took one disgruntled teenager to take down MN. It’s won’t take the Russians long.
VaizyCrazyDaizy · 25/02/2022 22:41

Nope it’s just the cheap rubbish IT system which is outdated - it’s the fifteenth time this year it’s stopped functioning!

Itwasgoodwhileitlasted · 25/02/2022 22:42

Dh flying with easyjet tonight (from UK destination to UK destination). Had to take his shoes off for security. That hasn't happened before!

UCsurvivor · 25/02/2022 22:44

@Itwasgoodwhileitlasted

Dh flying with easyjet tonight (from UK destination to UK destination). Had to take his shoes off for security. That hasn't happened before!
That is totally standard at almost all airports worldwide
RisingSunn · 25/02/2022 22:45

I’m sure this happened to their systems a few years ago.

lightisnotwhite · 25/02/2022 22:46

Well they chose badly. BA systems are crap to start with.

Not to bore you with the details but frankly a paper copy of everything works better than their clunky online service.

HundredMilesAnHour · 25/02/2022 22:48

BA's IT systems are so notoriously bad that it would honestly be hard to tell the difference between business as usual and a cyber attack.

Their issues all this week have been nothing to do with Russia. Staff cuts, budget cuts, Covid, multiple storms, ground staff (not BA employees) issues...this is what a struggling airline looks like when everything possible has been cut down to the bare minimum and then things so wrong and they have no capacity to deal with it.

IntendingWell · 25/02/2022 22:48

@Itwasgoodwhileitlasted

Dh flying with easyjet tonight (from UK destination to UK destination). Had to take his shoes off for security. That hasn't happened before!
This has been standard practice for years now.
Bellie710 · 25/02/2022 22:50

Thank god! I was trying to book flights and have new wifi, thought the wifi was just shit!

OnTheBoardwalk · 25/02/2022 22:51

I’ve just got on the BT website with no issues

GirlInACountrySong · 25/02/2022 22:51

ive been here years and remember when we got hacked

CushionSpiral · 25/02/2022 22:51

@Quornflakegirl

Dh works for a city council that had a Russian cyber attack a month ago. All their systems were down for weeks, it was a nightmare to get basic things done. I think there will be a lot more of this in the near future.
Yes, this did actually happen. Also affected.
Ozanj · 25/02/2022 22:52

BA and Marriot keep getting hacked as their websites are so badly designed. When you see a ‘major merchant data compromise’ anywhere as a headline it’s usually them or a mobile phone company. So if the Russians did do it don’t worry, BA is used to it

lightisnotwhite · 25/02/2022 22:54

@Cecillie

I think vlad must be keeping an eye on Mumsnet , he knows the unprecedented level of angst caused by disruption to online shopping orders. Skip working in getting into the government systems , just take down Ocado and job done.
😁
OnTheBoardwalk · 25/02/2022 22:55

Ah saying that it won’t let me go and book a flight. Virgin is still up and running though

herecomesthsun · 25/02/2022 22:55

no, Ocado's fine, just had our delivery half an hours ago, thanks

lightisnotwhite · 25/02/2022 22:56

@HundredMilesAnHour

BA's IT systems are so notoriously bad that it would honestly be hard to tell the difference between business as usual and a cyber attack.

Their issues all this week have been nothing to do with Russia. Staff cuts, budget cuts, Covid, multiple storms, ground staff (not BA employees) issues...this is what a struggling airline looks like when everything possible has been cut down to the bare minimum and then things so wrong and they have no capacity to deal with it.

Although you now get a free bottle of water and a snack on flights. Which is nice.
UCsurvivor · 25/02/2022 23:02

Although you now get a free bottle of water and a snack on flights. Which is nice.

They get rid of the the alcohol and sandwiches
Do Percy Pig BOB for a few years
Now people think a small bottle of water is great!

alltheapples · 25/02/2022 23:04

@UCsurvivor no not normal shoes

PriamFarrl · 25/02/2022 23:08

@Itwasgoodwhileitlasted

Dh flying with easyjet tonight (from UK destination to UK destination). Had to take his shoes off for security. That hasn't happened before!
Taking your shoes off has been standard for years now.
Abraxan · 25/02/2022 23:10

@Itwasgoodwhileitlasted

Dh flying with easyjet tonight (from UK destination to UK destination). Had to take his shoes off for security. That hasn't happened before!
Have had to do this many times before at airports in the uk and around the world.

Did it most recently last week, flying between Manchester and Jamaica.

shellbelle3 · 25/02/2022 23:11

Their website is working for me

shinynewapple22 · 25/02/2022 23:11

@Itwasgoodwhileitlasted

Dh flying with easyjet tonight (from UK destination to UK destination). Had to take his shoes off for security. That hasn't happened before!
Pretty standard !
eurochick · 25/02/2022 23:11

Shoes off has been a thing since the shoe bomber attempt years ago. A few airports have scanners that mean you don't need to take them off but most don't.

Charmatt · 25/02/2022 23:13

Ba.com is working for me