Originally Posted by
dvs7310
But a few ideas to consider:
Swapping out SJU with STT or AUA gains a few extra miles and both may (or may not be, depending on your preferences) be more interesting than Puerto Rico.
I believe ORD-ANC does operate in winter, and would be a couple hundred miles more than DFW-Caribbean
Could swap out either MAD or DUB to CMN for a few extra miles, but not many. I've never been to Morocco myself, but have been to Spain and Ireland several times so that would be appealing to me.
I'd also change NRT to HND for the DFW flight and take the JL operated A351 whether on the JL or AA code. Similarly returning to Tokyo at the end, HND gets better business seats, pretty sure BKK-NRT is still all angle flat on the 788 with 2-2-2 configuration.
All good ideas, thank you. I looked at all of them.
Swapping out SJU for STT or AUA: This won't work because 1) I can't do a same day turn because the return to DFW leaves before the flight from DFW arrives, at both STT and AUA. 2) These destinations only have nonstops ex-DFW on Saturdays, and there's no D space available, -- it will be between Christmas and New Year's. SJU works because AA puts on a 772 five days/week during this period, so plenty of D space.
ORD-ANC: If I did this, the routing would be BOS-ORD-ANC-ORD-BOS-LAX. These flights will be around December 30th, and, having lived in Chicago for several years, I stay away during the winter. A snow delay/cancellation will really foul up the rest of the itinerary and cause a ton of extra work for me reworking it back to Bangkok. Will look at ANC again for the next one, which will probably be in early April.
Replacing MAD or DUB with CMN: I might be able to work this in to my schedule.
Changing to HND: My business partner is flying the NRT routing and I'd like to fly with him, if there's D availability when I book. I'm going to try to have all of this finished so I can book tomorrow.
These are all good suggestions, and I appreciate your taking the time. Thank you!