Perhaps there is a need for RTW forum here...

In the Oneworld Explorer rule, there is a routing restriction "Europe & Middle East: four sector of which no more than two may be to/from Middle East". As I want to visit Tel Aviv and Istanbul in the same trip and would probably have to transfer via London, does anyone know what Istanbul falls under ? Surely Tel Aviv is considered Middle East, but what about Istanbul ? Is it considered Europe ? BA shows their business class service to Istanbul as "Club Europe" where the Israel business class is under "Club World".