Yes. They're correct. They've been in the BA system for some time, and he'd updated the booking, checked the details and added the specific trip-related API .

We think his ESTA has expired, so he's applied for a new one. It's hard to believe this has happened after 30+ years of successful travel to the USA!!

It's a learning experience. So I suppose the green tick on the BA website means we've entered all the information, but the actual US Government check doesn't take place until 24 hours (or thereabouts) before travel?

I'm glad I started check-in early enough to do something about it.

Assuming the ESTA comes through OK, do you know if we need to do anything else before trying online check in again?

And thank you for your help. As you can imagine, it's been a bit fraught here. And a bit annoying that we're losing our grip


ETA: to answer my own question, once the ESTA came through we are now able to check in