Originally Posted by
wandering_fred
The two permitted in Asia still has the ambiguity of the precedence of the "or" particularly with relation of a transit without stopover between Southwest Pacific and North America.
Try
Two permitted in Asia when one is a transfer without stopover or when one is on a direct single plane service between the Southwest Pacific and Europe/Middle East.
And even that may not be sufficient.
Happy wandering
Fred
The wording is:
2.Two permitted in Asia when one is a transfer without stopover or on direct single plane service between the Southwest Pacific and Europe/Middle East.
There has been discussion on this backtrack rule in the past, but I couldn't find it. I recall that for a short time the rule had a comma between the word 'stopover' and the word 'or' which generated more discussion (the phrase "dissecting the Talmud" comes to mind
)).
Also in the past I recall some airlines would only allow transfers without stopover if they were between SWP and Europe/Middle East, but I don't recall any issues with that for some years.
The online tool allows transfers without stopovers between SWP and Africa or North America and I have twice ticketed itineraries with AA that had transfers between SWP and North America.
For those who don't know the background, the issue has been how to interpret the rule; does it mean:
- Two permitted in Asia when one is (a transfer without stopover or on direct single plane service) between the Southwest Pacific and Europe/Middle East; or does it mean
- Two permitted in Asia when one is (a transfer without stopover) or (on direct single plane service between the Southwest Pacific and Europe/Middle East.)
The first requires the transfer without stopover to be between SWP and Europe/Middle East, the second does not have that requirement.
My view is that everything after word 'stopover' should be removed. My justification is:
- In the past JL flew NRT-GRU via JFK, there was never words in the North America backtrack rule regarding this, yet IIRC people had no problem with visitng North America on itineraries that included the NRT-GRU or vv flight
- If you are on a direct serive between SWP and Europe/Middle East your ticket coupon will show just that (for example LHR-SYD) it won't show the stop in Asia, so there should be no issue with also having Asia in the itinerary
Nor is the implication dealt with that either Asia or Africa must be included (ie sold as continents) if transiting from Europe to SWP.
IMHO that is quite right. Clause 4(e) deals only with the backtracking provisions. What you are referring to Fred is covered in Clause 0 (zero!):
Other Conditions
Fares apply only if purchased prior to departure.
The fare to be charged is determined by the highest class travelled and the number of geographic continents in the itinerary including the continent of origin and continents transited.
{snip}
* Travel between South West Pacific and Europe/Middle East on a single flight number/or by surface
eg LON-SYD/MELvv, DXB-SYD/MELvv, DOH-ADL/MEL/PER/SYDvv, is considered travelling via Asia.
Continents South West Pacific, Asia and Europe/Middle East must each be counted.
(My
emphasis added)
How many continents you will be charged for is separate from the backtracking rules .
For example fly LHR-SYD and then on the to the Americas, you will be charged for Asia even though you don't backtrack there