I am contemplating a SYD-NBO-BKK-HKG-SYD trip. It appears that the easiest way and cheapest (AUD3299?) to get the most direct flights on this itinerary is to buy the Oneworld Circle Trip Explorer, and this will also allow a few side trips for fun.

For the first leg SYD-NBO, will I be able to use the EK flights that QF is about to codeshare? And will flying through DXB (or DOH on QR later this year if flights on EK are not allowed) constitute a stop in "Europe" and force this into LONEWC4 instead of 3? Flying via JNB does not appear to be an option at the moment given no OW operating JNB-NBO (someone in OW should force BA/Comair to do this!!!)

For NBO-BKK it is a shame that QF will be ditching the QF4052/4 codeshare with KQ so again it looks like a transit through DXB/DOH will be required with the same questions above...In addition, if LONEWC4 is indeed required does this mean this is a 'backtrack' and not a valid itinerary?