4-5 different airlines are involved on a potential itinerary.
Leg 1:
- ticketed by an airline that allows only 1 bag (LH)
- flight number is of that same "ticketing" airline (LH)
- "operated by" an airline that allows 2 bags (SN)
To complicate things, the "operating airline" only allows 1 bag on short flights (and the first leg is indeed short). However, the rest of the itinerary is intercontinental. But the rest of the journey does not involve the generous operating airline of the first leg.
Leg 2:
- ticketed by an airline that allows only 1 bag (LH)
- flight number is of that same "ticketing" airline (LH)
- "operated by" an airline that allows only 1 bag (AC)
Leg 3:
- ticketed by an airline that allows only 1 bag (AC)
- flight number is of that same "ticketing" airline (AC)
- "operated by" an airline that allows only 1 bag (AC)
All return legs:
- ticketed by an airline that allows only 1 bag (UN)
- flight number is of that same "ticketing" airline (UN)
- "operated by" an airline that allows only 1 bag (UN)
According to the documentation for SN, the "operating airline" is the one that sets the rules:
For tickets issued on/after April 1, 2011, below mentioned rule applies:
Passengers who purchase travel on a flight operated by a partner airline may be subject to the luggage policy of the operating airline.
This is quite favorable, if it's true, but almost hard to believe. I've also read that only the first leg matters for setting the baggage rules. However, what about the return journey? Does the first leg on the itinerary set the rules for the return journey as well? Or will I have to lose a bag along the way?