Per another thread, I just found out you can begin in CAI but end your trip in DXB-- good to know.

Any way to hit DXB and CAI in the beginning? I assume the two rules that govern (can't do CAI-LHR and LHR-DXB on ex-CAI ticket) and the two stop-over rule (eliminating the ingenious idea of CAI-MAD//(MAD-LHR separate ticket)//LHR-DXB-LHR as too many stop-overs) make it unpossible to visit DXB in the beginning of the trip? Am I missing something obvious?

Jon,

Hmmm... good question. Just to talk it through, I don't see why you couldn't do CAI-MAD//LHR-DXB-LHR-(rest of trip)-MAD-CAI with the MAD-LHR being on a separate ticket. So long as you don't stop (only connect) in MAD on the way back through, its only two stopovers isn't it - MAD//LHR is one and DXB is the other. Of course the catch is that on the way back around you'd have to fly into MAD to connect to CAI meaning you'd have to do a long intercontinental flight on IB which may or may not be a good thing (no personal experience so I can't comment).

To get around the IB thing, I wonder if you could buy an extra segment in Europe and do CAI-MAD//LHR-DXB-LHR-(rest of ticket)-LHR-MAD-CAI. Again, you'd have to make sure that you don't stop in LHR or MAD on the way back through. On second thought though, I can't remember whether or not you're allowed to buy an extra segment in your continent of origin.

Lastly, when LX joins they could add some possibilities as well. I think they do ZRH-CAI at least seasonally. Don't know about ZRH-DXB.

As JSD noted you can do this although it won't necessarily be that easy. You cannot buy an extra segment in your continent of origin. Why not end your trip in DXB rather than CAI as that should be easier to accomplish and, IMHO, it's a nicer place.

Edited to add -

If you are traveling eastbound, you could do DXB-HKG rather than returning to LHR. This would let you do LHR-CAI at the end of your trip.

[This message has been edited by ExMo (edited Dec 22, 2003).]

And what about the mystery segment, HEL-DXB on AY that has been mentioned in other posts? I can never find it in the timetables.

AY2945 HEL-DXB only on Sundays. The return, DXB-HEL, is AY2946 on Monday morning.

Yes, but does this flight have F? And who flies eastbound?

CAI-xLHR-HEL-DXB-xLHR->

Interesting, so if the stars (days) lined up right this would appear to be the best way of doing it and avoiding IB?

The HEL-DXB flight looks like its a 6 hour overnight flight on an AY 757-200, which from the AY website appears to have the typical european convertible J/Y seats.

Nevermind!

Sadly, no F. CX flies DXB-HKG but the schedule is a basket case. Some days there's one nonstop and one direct flight via BAH. Others there's only a 2-stop flight via BAH and who knows where. On Fridays there's no service at all!

Did some poking around the LX website and it looks like they do both ZRH-CAI and ZRH-DXB with full three-class service. This could be interesting when they get integrated into the xONE rules. Of course, by then its likely that the playing field will have changed and we'll have forgotten all about CAI.

Actually, I believe there is F on the 333's that fly the route on Mondays and Thursdays. Otherwise it is probably NRBC on a 777 (yuk!!!).

As for flying eastbound, well some do but not those of us who know better.

Yes, Swiss will be the way to go when it's allowed, assuming that the "only two long segments to/from London" rule doesn't get modified to include them in the total. I'd like to do the same thing but even if it were straightforward to buy an ex-CAI OWE today, the "valid on" wouldn't include them. Gotta wait till 1 Apr, I guess.

OK, I'll bite. Why don't people fly eastbound? The flights take less time, and you get the same number of miles.

Assuming you're not going to do the trip in one fell swoop, part of the direction is where you want to be, when. Another is that some think westbound yields less jet lag.