Originally Posted by Unterwegs

First of all welcome to flyertalk!
Since this will be your first RTW i believe it would be much easier for you to use a travel agent for this. Yes, they charge a fee, but it is worth it, especially if you want to change things during the trip.

Did you ever consider to park your ticket somewhere, take a return flight home and then continue on a second trip later? These tickets are valid for one year after the first flight and you can even change them for not much money mid-stream.

Just a few ideas/observations:
- Try to travel on JAL F instead of AA from the US to Asia. Day and night difference to AA F. You could also take CX to Hong Kong, then do a side trip to HND and go back via HKG. CX F is even better than JAL (since the OW RTW is based on sectors andnot on distance you don't need to take the shortest flights.
- Why not go from LHR to somewhere at the west coast as suggested. More time to experience F instead of the relatively short east coast flights.
- Cancun is very touristy. There are several smaller islands in the caribbean which are significantly nicer.