Just spoke with UA, VS & AA re: checked baggage allowance in their business class and first class cabins.

AA: 2 Bags (50 lbs max) regardless of class of service
UA: 2 Bags (50 lbs max) regardless of class of service unless you are Premier 1K
VS: 3 Bags (75 lbs max) in UC and 2 Bags in PE or below

Can someone confirm if this is true and if there is any other carrier that flies the SFO - LHR route with a 3 bag or more allowance, especially if one exists in Coach Class. I am assuming you need to at least be in Business Class to get a 3 bag allowance if you are not a top tier elite member of the FF program?

Larry

On UA the bag wight goes up to 70lbs in First. Two bags only though unless you have Star Alliance Gold status. That status also gets you 3 bags in Business.

BA will give you a 3 piece luggage allowance in First (75 lbs max) and 2 pieces in Business. Status doesn't get you any additional allowance.

Also, departing from the UK note that current security rules, which are strictly enforced, only allow ONE piece of carry-on baggage through security (you can bring more on the plane, so you can still go shopping inthe terminal after security). No personal item allowed in addition to that single piece (unlike on flights from the US to the UK, where a second piece is allowed). TSA liquid rules apply in both directions.

No one is going to give you a 3 bag allowance in coach without frequent flyer status. Most (if not all) airlines now apply the 50lb per piece limit to coach class.

Hullo LondonLarry, and welcome to FT. As this isn't specific to London (I think you're talking about checked bags rather than the onerous handbaggage rules currently in place, which are not airline specific) I'm going to move this thread over to TravelBuzz where you may get more answers.