British Airways tells passengers not to go to airports as the biggest strike of the airline begins

FFlights to New York, Delhi, Hong Kong and Johannesburg were all affected, and the airline told passengers: "If your flight is canceled, please do not go to the airport."

A passenger, Kenneth Farrington, told the BBC that he thought his vacation was "in ruins".

Travelers have been offered a full refund, flights on different carriers or the ability to fly on a different date, but should not show up at the airport without a confirmed flight.

Yesterday, 50 flights were canceled for fear of a lack of space to park planes at Heathrow and Gatwick, and the repercussions will reverberate over the week.

The airline's long-haul captains earn an average base salary of £ 167,000 a year, while co-drivers earn £ 70,000. British Airways says it has made a "fair" offer of 11.5% increase over three years, plus a 1% bonus.

The agreement had already been accepted by union members Unite and GMB, who represent 90% of British Airways staff.

BALPA says the company is now in better financial health and that its members should receive a larger share of the profits and have a strike mandate until January, raising fears of the chaos of Christmas travel.