I need to return to HYD in a couple months. I previously flew via EWR and BOM (CO connecting to 9W) and I don't want to *ever* repeat a domestic to international itinerary through BOM again.

However I'm finding my choices very limited if I want to skip BOM and stay predominantly with *A. If I go via EWR and DEL it requires an overnight in DEL. I was hoping to just do MKE-YYZ/ORD/EWR/PHL-FRA and connect to HYD on LH ... but I just now found out that LH pulled out of HYD (I must have missed that thread).

I could drive down to ORD which improves my options a little, but still predominantly has me connecting in BOM.

I *really* want at least the long hall segments to be on *A (I don't mind a short hop within or near to India on 9W).

Is there some easy routing I'm missing?

Another option is YYZ/ORD/EWR/PHL-FRA-MAA in LH and 9W from MAA-HYD. LH flight lands at MAA at 11.45 PM and 9W flight is at 2 AM but you need to clear immigration/customs at MAA.

I'd be willing to do that. I can't seem to get my corporate travel agent's web site to come up with that itinerary. Is is possible to get this on one PNR?

I'll have to call.

[QUOTE=Jumpgate;17656295]I need to return to HYD in a couple months. I previously flew via EWR and BOM (CO connecting to 9W) and I don't want to *ever* repeat a domestic to international itinerary through BOM again.

However I'm finding my choices very limited if I want to skip BOM and stay predominantly with *A. If I go via EWR and DEL it requires an overnight in DEL. I was hoping to just do MKE-YYZ/ORD/EWR/PHL-FRA and connect to HYD on LH ... but I just now found out that LH pulled out of HYD (I must have missed that thread)

I *really* want at least the long hall segments to be on *A (I don't mind a short hop within or near to India on 9W).

Is there some easy routing I'm missing?[/QUOTE

Using this tool you can play around with various routings:

http://matrix.itasoftware.com/search.htm

One thing you may want to consider is to depart from Chicago O'Hare (ORD) as this may give you more choices.

Your best bet is to to take a look at routing through the gulf City/ states ...
DOH, AUH and DXB ...

Here is one option:

Milwaukee (MKE) to Hyderabad (HYD) - Sun, Mar 4
Milwaukee (MKE) to Houston (IAH) - Sun, Mar 4
Continental 4279 Dep: 1:35PM Arr: 4:09PM 2h 34m Embraer ERJ-135/145 Coach (T)
OPERATED BY EXPRESSJET AIRLINES INC DBA CO EXPRESS Layover in IAH 3h 16m

Houston (IAH) to Doha (DOH) - Sun, Mar 4
Qatar Airways 78 Dep: 7:25PM Arr: 7:00PM 14h 35m Boeing 777 Coach (W)
Layover in DOH Mon, Mar 5 1h 35m

Doha (DOH) to Hyderabad (HYD) - Mon, Mar 5
Qatar Airways 250 Dep: 8:35PM Arr: 2:55AM 3h 50m Airbus A321

Here is a better (less expensive) option from ORD:
Chicago (ORD) to Hyderabad (HYD) - Sun, Mar 4
Chicago (ORD) to Abu Dhabi (AUH) - Sun, Mar 4
Etihad Airways 150 Dep: 7:55PM Arr: 7:45PM 13h 50m Boeing 777 Coach (U)
Layover in AUH Mon, Mar 5 2h 20m

Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Hyderabad (HYD) - Mon, Mar 5
Etihad Airways 274 Dep: 10:05PM Arr: 3:05AM 3h 30m Airbus A320 Coach (U)

Thank you for the tip!

I found decent itinerary: ORD-FRA-MAA-HYD and returning HYD-DEL-FRA-ORD

I could replace ORD with MKE-YYZ ... I'm still debating whether I'd rather drive to ORD or add a 4th connection.

Add the 4th connection! Extra miles can't hurt

You know that one does not have to drive to MKE ---> ORD and ORD--> MKE

http://www.coachusa.com/wisconsincoach/

There is a very convenient bus service that costs approx $27 per person one way. It takes about 90 minutes. Have used it both ways ... and found the service to be excellent for airport to airport.

thanks for the link....nice tool....^^

on another note, i don't blame the op for not wanting to connect in bom....i avoid it like the plague myself....

If you wanted to stay on *A the whole way, your only option is to take a longer route via BKK. You could do something like MKE - ORD/YYZ - FRA/MUC - BKK - HYD, with the last leg being on TG.

SQ code shares flights with Silk Air, which flies to HYD. Can you earn *A regular and EQM (UA) miles on SQ code share with Silk Air ?

no, Silkair is not a member of *A. You can earn EQMs with SQ KrisFlyer however...

The only *A airline flying to HYD is TG (on their ancient A300s, which are actually kinda fun to ride on from an aviation enthusiast's point of view). Yet another reason why I am incredibly pissed at *A for not letting AI in...

This is also wonderful advice - I'm going to check this out. I hadn't even considered going the other direction.

ORD-HKG/NRT-BKK-HYD is actually fewer miles than ORD-FRA-MAA-HYD. I wonder if the times work out.

The times via Asia aren't very good. They'd require long overnite layovers in either NRT, BKK, or HKG. Also they're a 1/3 more expensive than going via Europe (plus the cost of a hotel on the overnite).

It looks like I'm doing ORD-FRA-MAA-HYD on the way over and HYD-DEL-FRA-ORD on the way back.

MAA-HYD will be on 9W and HYD-DEL on AI.

Thank you all!

The AI 777s are fantastic. Best planes flying domestic out there. Good choice ^^