Trying to make a RTW itinerary split over Summers 2023/2024
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: Sometimes BA, sometimes AA
Posts: 663
Trying to make a RTW itinerary split over Summers 2023/2024
Key details: Based in Boston but aware it's much cheaper to start from Oslo. We are two adults and one child (will be 9) so school holidays are a big factor in our planning.
Idea: position to OSL mid to late July 2023, start DONEx late July, focusing on Southeast Asia and Australia/NZ to arrive back in BOS late August in time for school.
When schools stop again late June 2024, resume DONEx with some select stops in Middle East and maybe a little Europe to arrive back in OSL just before the 1 year is up. Then, reposition back to BOS at our leisure.
Because we only have effectively say 5-6 weeks of actual travel time each summer, we won't do much of Europe or Africa and no South America at all (this time). Europe is easy to do another time, and for Africa and South America we'd rather take more time. We toyed with the idea of putting a week in NBO but I think it's stretching too thin.
We are looking to maximize our destination experience. Miles and status earnings are much less important (sacrilege I know) but I am sure I'll want to look at that once we have a basic outline.
So we're thinking a DONE4 as follows:
2023: OSL xDOH BKK TYO SYD AKL ...???... BOS (via HNL would be nice)
2024: BOS MAD CAI DOH OSL
Priorities: Japan, Thailand, Australia (SYD), NZ, Egypt
Would like: A stop in Vietnam would be amazing. How could we add Darwin? Have to go via Perth or Brisbane, or any other route possible other than buying an extra ticket?
Not important (this time): Europe, anywhere else in Australia, any USA stops other than Boston
Issues: the Oneworld tool can't find flights so I can't get a baseline, let alone experiment with more creative options. I tried to make it easy by saying start in Oslo and then added only BKK TYO SYD AKL BOS CAI and it says it can't find anything from Tokyo to Auckland. Dragging things around, it said it couldn't find anything from Tokyo to Sydney, and a variety of other errors. I once had an error that I was exceeding the number of segments in my starting continent but I could only count 4 - OSL-DOH at the start and then transit (e.g. MAD/DOH/LHR) to CAI to transit (e.g. DOH/MAD) to OSL.
Looking for help how to plan an itinerary that can actually pass checks and show that what I'm trying to do is possible, please.
Idea: position to OSL mid to late July 2023, start DONEx late July, focusing on Southeast Asia and Australia/NZ to arrive back in BOS late August in time for school.
When schools stop again late June 2024, resume DONEx with some select stops in Middle East and maybe a little Europe to arrive back in OSL just before the 1 year is up. Then, reposition back to BOS at our leisure.
Because we only have effectively say 5-6 weeks of actual travel time each summer, we won't do much of Europe or Africa and no South America at all (this time). Europe is easy to do another time, and for Africa and South America we'd rather take more time. We toyed with the idea of putting a week in NBO but I think it's stretching too thin.
We are looking to maximize our destination experience. Miles and status earnings are much less important (sacrilege I know) but I am sure I'll want to look at that once we have a basic outline.
So we're thinking a DONE4 as follows:
2023: OSL xDOH BKK TYO SYD AKL ...???... BOS (via HNL would be nice)
2024: BOS MAD CAI DOH OSL
Priorities: Japan, Thailand, Australia (SYD), NZ, Egypt
Would like: A stop in Vietnam would be amazing. How could we add Darwin? Have to go via Perth or Brisbane, or any other route possible other than buying an extra ticket?
Not important (this time): Europe, anywhere else in Australia, any USA stops other than Boston
Issues: the Oneworld tool can't find flights so I can't get a baseline, let alone experiment with more creative options. I tried to make it easy by saying start in Oslo and then added only BKK TYO SYD AKL BOS CAI and it says it can't find anything from Tokyo to Auckland. Dragging things around, it said it couldn't find anything from Tokyo to Sydney, and a variety of other errors. I once had an error that I was exceeding the number of segments in my starting continent but I could only count 4 - OSL-DOH at the start and then transit (e.g. MAD/DOH/LHR) to CAI to transit (e.g. DOH/MAD) to OSL.
Looking for help how to plan an itinerary that can actually pass checks and show that what I'm trying to do is possible, please.
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,987
The wikipedia entries for airports give a good guide on airlines/routes. Not always up to date or include published future routes, But a start for more detailed research:-- airline route/schedule checking
Qantas are due to start a new route SYD-AKL-JFK in June 2023. A good fit for your plans as counts as 1 segment. SYD-JFK or AKL-JFK. 3 off D tickets may be a challenge.
Otherwise backtrack from NZ via AU to USA. Flights AU east coast<--->NZ [~3:30hrs] can be cheap to buy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darwin...tional_Airport
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auckland_Airport
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel...tional_Airport
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Airport QF fly to HNL
Will be 100's of possible options.
A map from the Great Circle Mapper - Great Circle Mapper
You need to check all those routes exist with OW airlines as a direct route. (without transit airport with a different flight number)
Unsure if CAI-DOH-OSL fits the rules. CAI-LHR-OSL would.
http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=c%3Ablu...=bm&PW=3&DU=mi
Qantas are due to start a new route SYD-AKL-JFK in June 2023. A good fit for your plans as counts as 1 segment. SYD-JFK or AKL-JFK. 3 off D tickets may be a challenge.
Otherwise backtrack from NZ via AU to USA. Flights AU east coast<--->NZ [~3:30hrs] can be cheap to buy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darwin...tional_Airport
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auckland_Airport
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel...tional_Airport
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Airport QF fly to HNL
Will be 100's of possible options.
A map from the Great Circle Mapper - Great Circle Mapper
You need to check all those routes exist with OW airlines as a direct route. (without transit airport with a different flight number)
Unsure if CAI-DOH-OSL fits the rules. CAI-LHR-OSL would.
http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=c%3Ablu...=bm&PW=3&DU=mi
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Dec 14, 2022 at 7:13 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: Sometimes BA, sometimes AA
Posts: 663
I did already research Oneworld flights on https://www.flightconnections.com/route-map-oneworld and there are flights HND-SYD (I must have made a mistake thinking there are flights TYO-AKL direct, seems not). The tool errored on HND-SYD so I wonder if that was more an availability of D tickets (for the random dates I put in) rather than the route not being valid.
I wondered whether moving Japan after Aus/NZ might help, since there is an NRT-BOS flight, but am I reading the rules correctly? Flying back into Asia from SWP would only be permitted to make a transit, no stopover allowed?
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: Sometimes BA, sometimes AA
Posts: 663
Looks like this is all possible on direct Oneworld flights - OSL DOH HAN NRT BKK SYD AKL JFK ...
I checked a few and see D9 on ExpertFlyer. In some cases though I see D9 on the main carrier but D0 on the codeshares. Not sure what that means.
I checked a few and see D9 on ExpertFlyer. In some cases though I see D9 on the main carrier but D0 on the codeshares. Not sure what that means.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,987
D is a discounted business class fare. Due to regulatory constraints and/or commercial agreements D, as a code share, may not be offered.
Depending in the ffp at times flying the code share can have better ff earnings.
A map from the Great Circle Mapper - Great Circle Mapper
Depending in the ffp at times flying the code share can have better ff earnings.
A map from the Great Circle Mapper - Great Circle Mapper
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: Sometimes BA, sometimes AA
Posts: 663
Still learning the rules here:
So that means OSL DOH BKK ... JFK MAD CAI xLHR OSL is not possible, we'd have to transit-only at either DOH or MAD. That's a shame.
Maximum 2 stopovers permitted in the continent of origin
#7
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: used to be PER, now it's nowhere/eveywhere
Programs: QFF NB, AA GLD
Posts: 3,464
A transit can be up to 24hrs
QR daily flight from OSL arrives DOH @ 23:15
first onward flight to HAN departs @ 02:55 daily (but is only an A330)
second onward flight to HAN departs at 19:50 (Mon, Wed, Fri only) (but is a B788) - this would give you a day in Doha
With regard to the rules etc - have you looked at the wiki to the User Guide, might give you some ideas
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: Sometimes BA, sometimes AA
Posts: 663
Thanks for the pointer about DOH and up to 24 hours. That would certainly be long enough. The July/August weather at various points will probably trigger more changes of mind as we research.
Yes I have, and also the FAQ from Oneworld, but there are so many rules it is taking a while for all the implications to settle in. Thanks for your patience.
In that user guide:
If that is true then my route needs further modification, but I can't find that rule in Oneworld document. What am I missing?
With regard to the rules etc - have you looked at the wiki to the User Guide, might give you some ideas
In that user guide:
The first carrier cannot be Qatar Airways.
#9
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: used to be PER, now it's nowhere/eveywhere
Programs: QFF NB, AA GLD
Posts: 3,464
In the User Guide, it is under the dot point of "Use the Online Booking Tool" (to book your itinerary)
For some reason, unknown to us, the tool cannot handle QR's being the first carrier on an itinerary
You can still have such an itinerary, but it must be booked directly with an airline or with a travel agent
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: Sometimes BA, sometimes AA
Posts: 663
Still trying to include Darwin. If I check ExpertFlyer, class D doesn't seem to exist. Not D0, no D at all.
Does that mean that on a DONE4, we would have to sit in economy using the L class bucket, or we can't do it at all?
Current plan, adjusted to save some places for another time, that would be much better at a different time of year.
2023 summer: OSL DOH SIN NRT BKK HKG PER DRW SYD AKL JFK (DOH less than 24h possible)
2023 winter: JFK SXM or CUN or somewhere else warm, back to JFK
2024 summer: JFK TLV AMM xLHR OSL (yes TLV-AMM is a waste and may do that as a surface sector)
Great Circle Mapper
Other than the PER-DRW leg there is availability in D for all of the summer 2023 flights, and the later ones will just be placeholders anyway.
It would help if we didn't have to return to OSL at the end... if we could quit the RTW ticket in LHR or maybe MAD that would get us back to BOS faster. (I know we'd have to avoid getting our bags checked through.)
Does that mean that on a DONE4, we would have to sit in economy using the L class bucket, or we can't do it at all?
Current plan, adjusted to save some places for another time, that would be much better at a different time of year.
2023 summer: OSL DOH SIN NRT BKK HKG PER DRW SYD AKL JFK (DOH less than 24h possible)
2023 winter: JFK SXM or CUN or somewhere else warm, back to JFK
2024 summer: JFK TLV AMM xLHR OSL (yes TLV-AMM is a waste and may do that as a surface sector)
Great Circle Mapper
Other than the PER-DRW leg there is availability in D for all of the summer 2023 flights, and the later ones will just be placeholders anyway.
It would help if we didn't have to return to OSL at the end... if we could quit the RTW ticket in LHR or maybe MAD that would get us back to BOS faster. (I know we'd have to avoid getting our bags checked through.)
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 15,793
Still trying to include Darwin. If I check ExpertFlyer, class D doesn't seem to exist. Not D0, no D at all.
Does that mean that on a DONE4, we would have to sit in economy using the L class bucket, or we can't do it at all?
Current plan, adjusted to save some places for another time, that would be much better at a different time of year.
2023 summer: OSL DOH SIN NRT BKK HKG PER DRW SYD AKL JFK (DOH less than 24h possible)
2023 winter: JFK SXM or CUN or somewhere else warm, back to JFK
2024 summer: JFK TLV AMM xLHR OSL (yes TLV-AMM is a waste and may do that as a surface sector)
Great Circle Mapper
Other than the PER-DRW leg there is availability in D for all of the summer 2023 flights, and the later ones will just be placeholders anyway.
It would help if we didn't have to return to OSL at the end... if we could quit the RTW ticket in LHR or maybe MAD that would get us back to BOS faster. (I know we'd have to avoid getting our bags checked through.)
Does that mean that on a DONE4, we would have to sit in economy using the L class bucket, or we can't do it at all?
Current plan, adjusted to save some places for another time, that would be much better at a different time of year.
2023 summer: OSL DOH SIN NRT BKK HKG PER DRW SYD AKL JFK (DOH less than 24h possible)
2023 winter: JFK SXM or CUN or somewhere else warm, back to JFK
2024 summer: JFK TLV AMM xLHR OSL (yes TLV-AMM is a waste and may do that as a surface sector)
Great Circle Mapper
Other than the PER-DRW leg there is availability in D for all of the summer 2023 flights, and the later ones will just be placeholders anyway.
It would help if we didn't have to return to OSL at the end... if we could quit the RTW ticket in LHR or maybe MAD that would get us back to BOS faster. (I know we'd have to avoid getting our bags checked through.)
NOTE: For flights where First or Business Class is not offered or available, passengers may travel in a lower class, in the applicable booking code for that lower class.
Where the applicable booking class for the lower class is not available, passengers travelling on First Class fares may book Y Class.
Passengers travelling on DONE* Business Class fares may book B Class (except AA) or H Class on AA.
Where the applicable booking class for the lower class is not available, passengers travelling on First Class fares may book Y Class.
Passengers travelling on DONE* Business Class fares may book B Class (except AA) or H Class on AA.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,987
But most of the time PER-DRW looks to be B737, so has business class. May be some reason why QF not selling the discounted business class D
Some PER-DRW flights are on a Qantaslink - Network Aviation A320 180 seats all economy (e.g. QF1604 random date of Friday17 Feb)
https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas-...imetables.html
#14
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFOSJCOAK
Programs: AA-EXP & 1MM+, AS, MR-LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 7,576
Re: First flight on QR
I had flown the First flight OSL-DOH on QR. That ticket was booked by AA (call the AA RTW Desk). Some on this board claimed that AA would ticket if you had a long haul on AA. In my case I did have a cross Atlantic flight on AA.
I recommend book with AA because they have more competent agents to assist you post sales. Next to AA is CX. This is based on my own experience.
I had flown the First flight OSL-DOH on QR. That ticket was booked by AA (call the AA RTW Desk). Some on this board claimed that AA would ticket if you had a long haul on AA. In my case I did have a cross Atlantic flight on AA.
I recommend book with AA because they have more competent agents to assist you post sales. Next to AA is CX. This is based on my own experience.