I was hoping to structure a west-bound ONE3 ex-CAI to include LHR-DXB-LHR. I was getting around the "two middle-east segments from London" by starting CAI-MAD and then open-jawing to LHR for LHR-DXB-LHR.

In my case, DXB is not an MR - it's a jumping-off point for MLE. (Yes, I can get there from HKG/BKK, but not at the *beginning* of a west-bound trip.)

I mention that because, in my non-cleverness, I suddenly realized that the problem is that at the end of the trip, where I had planned to do the opposite of the trip-start strategy, i.e. open-jaw LHR-BCN and then take IB down to CAI to complete, I've used up three European stopovers. No cigar.

Coming west out of HKG, I've looked for CX destinations that eliminate that last stopover. HKG-Spain would be nice, but doesn't exist. HKG-IST still appears to be inactive, and afaik isn't a legal end for an ex-CAI trip anyway.

Can anyone think of something I'm missing? Swiss doesn't count.