We're planning our first xONE3(4) trip and have a few very basic questions;

- It's the two of us travelling and we're considering AONE3, we don't want to sit far apart so is there any way to check that we can get preferable seats in F?

- The ticket is planned to be ex-CAI (we're in HEL). If we want to visit DXB as well, is the only way to do CAI-MAD (and MAD-LHR with another ticket) instead of CAI-LHR or take some non-OWE return flight directly from CAI to DXB?

- We would most likely fly from Europe to NA, NA to SWP and from there back to Europe. From what I've read, it depends on the carrier and TA if they'll accept e.g. LAX-HKG-SYD (CX) instead of LAX-SYD (QF)? Is there any way to get from SWF to Europe, without adding Asia as a continent, using CX? I would like to try CX as well on the tour.

Petri

PS. Any recommendations for a "deserted atoll with a simple hut" we could fly to from AU/NZ would be appriciated, on a separate ticket, not part of the OWE..

Booking both on the same PNR is the best way to get the "default" right, but you may wish to follow up and request seats according to each flight (SeatExpert and SeatGuru can help you choose)

You could end your AONEx in DXB instead of CAI.

If you're going to SWP, then you need an AONE4 and not an AONE3. Then, you might as well plan in some hopping in & out of HKG (e.g. to NRT, DPS). The OWE Validator tool is invaluable in planning.

To answer your questions:

- It's the two of us travelling and we're considering AONE3, we don't want to sit far apart so is there any way to check that we can get preferable seats in F?

It really depends on the airline and the configuration.
On BA, QF and CX row 1 in the 747 is close enough to talk and very private.
The double seats in the middle are less private and very close to the aisle. BA and QF have similar seats, but especially the legroom of the first pair is not wide enough. On the 777 on BA there are also pairs of seats in the middle. Same on 330/340 on CX.

AA has pairs of suites (if you are lucky and get the suite configuration). They have some distance between the seats itself, more than CX and QF. If you are unlucky you get a coffin configuration with pairs of seats.

LA has two pairs of seats at the window and a middle seat. 340 seats are much wider than 767 seats.

You can prereserve seats. It usually works (except on LAN, where in around 10 flights in the last two years never got the prereserved seats).


- The ticket is planned to be ex-CAI (we're in HEL). If we want to visit DXB as well, is the only way to do CAI-MAD (and MAD-LHR with another ticket) instead of CAI-LHR or take some non-OWE return flight directly from CAI to DXB?
Looks like. I dont know any other way. Watch out: only two stops in Europe allowerd. So you could do a CAI-xMAD-LHR LHR-DXB DXB-aroundtheworld-LHR-CAI without a stop.


- We would most likely fly from Europe to NA, NA to SWP and from there back to Europe. From what I've read, it depends on the carrier and TA if they'll accept e.g. LAX-HKG-SYD (CX) instead of LAX-SYD (QF)? Is there any way to get from SWF to Europe, without adding Asia as a continent, using CX? I would like to try CX as well on the tour.

Dont know any. I did several of these tickets, never had a problem using CX via HKG. But this would be a 4 continent fare in any case. Why not stop in HKG and take some sidetrips (as long as you are not over the 20 coupon limit).
If you need more miles you could also do a
US-HKG-Asia-HKG-SYD-Australia-xHKG-LHR

Thanks, this helps a lot in the planning.

About AONE3 and SWP; if one flies directly from LAX to SYD/ALK and returns to Europe with e.g. BA's BA106 SYD-LHR, which stops for 2 hours in SIN, would that work with AONE3? I remember reading here that there's was special rule that would allow this.

Time is a bit of a limited resource and that's why we've been looking more into AONE3 than AONE4.

Petri

Hi Ojala There is a problem with the BA 106. even thou you are only stopping in Sin, for a couple of hours , it still counts as a stop in asia thus turning your aone3 into aone4 Elo

No. If it stops for one millisecond in SIN, then the continent counts.
As stated earlier in this thread, it is impossible to visit SWP on a xONE3. You could try waiting a few years until aircraft ranges get longer.
The rule you may be thinking of is "Two intercontinental departures and arrivals are permitted in Asia, when one is transfer without stopover or on direct single plane service, between SWP and Europe". But the Asia transit counts as a continent.

For the "deserted atoll with a simple hut", near to AU, I recommend Auckland.

There is no permutation that allows travel to/from the SWP on an xONE3. Even if you don't get off the plane in Asia you still have to count it as a continent, hence N. America (1) SWP (2) Asia (3) Europe (4.) Same goes for Africa and South America itineraries - can't be done on a 3-continent routing. The exception to which you refer is to the prohibition of re-entering a continent, thus pax going, say, XXX-HKG-SYD-(SIN)-LHR are allowed to pass through Asia a second time as long as it's one flight no. with no stopover. But if the wheels touch a continent, the continent counts.

Gardyloo, are you echoing me ?

Not not not intentionally intentionally intentionally. Sorry sorry sorry...

Ok, that was the exception I was thinking about, a pity. Now we'll have to decide between AONE3 w/Asia or AONE4.

;-)