Travel dramas continued for Virgin Blue passengers today after recovering from a nationwide computer system failure.

The airline had to clear a huge backlog from yesterday, but is promising compensation for those affected.

Shitika Anand reports.

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TRANSCRIPT

The queues lengthened but the frustration didn’t last for more than 24 hours.

Hundreds of passengers stood patiently at Brisbane airport this morning as Virgin Blue recovered from the weekend’s hardware system crash.

Airline staff urged passengers to delay their non-essential travel plans.

Vox 1: “I’m meant to be at work today, but obviously I can’t do it. So I’m really hoping they do fly out today.”

Virgin Blue cancelled 116 flights and was forced to get help from its main rival.

Vox 2: “Virgin Blue has shunted us over with Qantas and we’re meant to get on the flight at half past five this evening – they think.”

The check-in and boarding system shut down at eight o’clock on Sunday morning causing mayhem at every airport across the country.

Virgin Blue has offered free accommodation for passengers who waited overnight and those delayed by more than four hours would be compensated with a free flight voucher.

Some passengers saw a silver lining in the lengthy delays.

Vox 4: “They’ve separated the people who are flying today from those who are backed up from yesterday. Staff was very helpful. Refreshments came out – water and doughnuts. Really good start to a holiday.”

Others had their own method of coping.

Vox 5: “You just got to cope with it you’ve got to breathe.”

Shitika Anand, QUT News.