Baggage and check-ins on different airlines

Question

The airlines are British Airways and American Airlines (which, from what I understand, are partners). A friend bought my mother and I our tickets for our trip from Cairo (CAI) -> Philadelphia (PHL) with a layover in London (LHR), which were booked through American Airlines.

My problem is, when I overviewed the confirmation and receipt with the baggage information, all it said under "Checked Bags / British Airways" was that the 1st bag is free and the 2nd is $85. And our friend said he could only buy 2 bags for my mother and I (one for me, one for her), which I'm guessing are those 2nd bags, which means this would apply per passenger if my thinking is correct (so Passenger = 1st bag (free) + 2nd bag ($85) and this applies to each?).

Second, I need to know what we need to do for when we arrive in London, like, do we need to collect our bags and re-check them? If so, will we need to pay more fees or not?

Answer 1

The British Airways webpage is telling you that you may check one bag for free, but your checking a second bag will cost $85.00. The same is true for your mother. Thus, if you and your mother each check one bag, there should be no additional charge for the checked baggage.

Because both flights appear on one booking, the airline (presumably BA) that carries you from Cairo to London will tag your bags for Philadelphia, and in London the bags will be transferred by BA to the airplane that will carry you to the US. You will not need to retrieve your bags in London and re-submit them for carriage to the US.

According to this UK government website, you will not need a transit visa to wait in the airport in London to catch your flight to the US. You will not pass through UK immigration and customs in London, but will pass through US immigration and customs upon arrival in the US.