Originally Posted by Japhydog
Isn't going from LHR to SYD and then back to BOM backtracking?
No, that's allowed. It's only between the three big areas (Americas, EMEA, Asia/SWP) that backtracking isn't allowed.
Originally Posted by Japhydog
Also looks to me as though there are 8 segments in NA, with only 6 allowed under the rules.
Yes - you are right. I read the OP as saying that these were direct (1-stop) flights on a single flight number, in which case that would be OK. But on consulting the OW Timetable they both look like two separate flights to me. So you are correct - it is two segments too many in N America, and in total.
Originally Posted by Japhydog
Finally, cannot end in DXB if starting in IST.
You're right about that one, as commented by Gardyloo and corrected in my post.